Rightness And Corruption In William Shakespeare's Othello

A wave generates in the bountiful, tranquil ocean gradually it gains momentum swelling and growing until colliding, crashing, splattering, destroying everything in its wake. In Othello, Shakespeare creates a vivid drama that incorporates controversial social standards of race, class distinctions, as well as gender, he weaves these ideas using bold striking characters. These characters are molded in such a way that they are vulnerable to Iago’s manipulative scheming that consumes him. While on the surface, it may seem like jealousy is the driving force of manipulation, it is, in fact, isolation that more dramatically impacts the manipulation of the various characters. Throughout Othello, manipulation is increasingly developed through isolation,

“He'll be as full of quarrel and offence/ As my young mistress' dog.” (Shakespeare 116) This quote is evident to the fact that Iago is putting Cassio under the influence alcohol, knowing that he has a low tolerance level. Cassio misbehaves publically and is removed from his position, and goes to Desdemona for help. Othello spots him with her and asks Iago if it was him or not, Iago replies by saying “No, sure, I cannot think it/ That he would steal away so guilty like, /Seeing you coming.” (Shakespeare 163) This quote is vital as Iago, who knowingly sent Cassio to Desdemona, denies the fact that it was him, causing trouble for basically everyone. Therefore, Othello deserves sympathy as Cassio gets framed by Iago and Cassio is one of the main reasons to his

There is pathos shown in act 2 scene 3 when Iago wants to get Cassio drunk, knowing that he gets drunk easily and he might end up getting in a fight. Iago is trying to get Cassio drunk so that he can get in trouble by Othello, Iago really wants to take Cassios spot as lieutenant. “O, they are our friends. But one cup! I'll drink for you”(41). Iago had told Cassio that he would do most of the drinking, but he was planning on getting Cassio drunk himself. By giving Cassio a drink of wine which lead to more than one drink, made him get into a fight with the other drunk men. Iago planned everything out and his plan was a success. He wants revenge upon Othello really bad that he will do anything that pleases him to get

This begins part two of jealous Iago’s plan of destruction. That night, Iago gets Cassio drunk and sends Roderigo to start the fight with him. When Cassio stabs Governor Montano as he tried to hold Cassio down, Iago sent Roderigo to raise alarm in the town. Othello arrives and strips Cassio of his rank of lieutenant. Roderigo thought this plan was for him to get rid of Cassio so he would win over Desdemona, but really it was for selfish Iago. Iago knew Cassio could not control his liquor and would do something bad enough to lose his title, the title Iago was jealous that he did not have. Iago then tells the audience that eliminating Cassio is the first important step in his plan to ruin Othello. “I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets He’s done my office.” (Shakespeare I.iii.). Now that Iago succeeded on getting Cassio stripped of his rank, his plan will continue to destroy Othello.

        Iago controls Cassio for most of the play. It is important for Iago to control Cassio in the way that he does because it allows Iago to get exactly what he wants. Iago uses Cassio’s faults to manipulate him, like Cassio’s looks and his flirtatious personality to Cassio’s own disadvantage because Iago gets Othello to think that Desdemona is having an affair with him. It all starts when he persuades Cassio to join in with the festive drinking even though Cassio has a weak alcohol tolerance level ‘I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking’ this shows that Iago can still persuade Cassio to drink a lot of alcohol even though he knows that he cannot take it. Iago implies that he and Cassio have the same friends which makes Cassio think that they are best friends; he does this by calling the other men “our” friends which implies that they too would be friends. Iago also tells Cassio that he will drink for Cassio which makes Cassio think

In this scene Iago makes Cassio get drunk and has manipulated Cassio to get into a fight. Othello hears all the noise and comes down from his chambers to see what is going on. Othello sees that his Lieutenant has been into a fight and is disappointed in Cassio. Because Cassio has gotten into a fight Othello has demoted Cassio as his Lieutenant. Once Iago is alone he addresses his plan in one of his soliloquy: If I can fasten but one cup upon him With that which he hath drunk tonight already, He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense As my young mistress’ dog. Now my sick fool Rodrigo, Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out, To Desdemona hath tonight caroused Potations pottle- deep; and he’s to watch. (2.3, 49-56) Iago plans to make Cassio drink a lot tonight other than the one drink he had already. Iago wants to make Cassio so drunk that he will get angry, offend some people and eventually start a fight with someone like his mistress’ dog who is probably baring all the time at people and that is what Iago wants Cassio to do to someone. In Iago’s soliloquy he mentions Roderigo as his sick fool and because of his loved to Desdemona his made bad choices. Roderigo has made drinking toasts to Desdemona and him on guard duty. In Welker Given’s book, A Further Study of The Othello: Have we misunderstood Shakespeare’s Moor?, there is a chapter in this book that talks about Iago and Roderigo. In chapter nine of

He knows Cassio’s weakness when he says “If I can fasten but one cup upon him, With that which he hath drunk tonight already, He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense As my young mistress' dog” (2.3.30-35). Iago convinces Cassio into committing a crime that will make him look bad. This shows how Iago exploits people into doing what he wants. This ultimately leads to the betrayal of Cassio. Cassio never wanted this however by getting him drunk, Iago can make him do what he wants.

Humans do not recognize the devastating destruction that words are capable of having when in the right hands. The play Othello, written by William Shakespeare, demonstrates the conceivable power that dwells within words through the character Iago. The character, Iago, has a complete understanding of his victims’ nature down to their essence. In addition, because he does not have any core beliefs or morals, Iago gains the ability to ultimately change his faith and principals. In short, the biggest factor that contributes to Iago’s successful manipulation is his ability to carefully select words in the language.

Manipulation, the handle or control of something in a skillful manner, is a nefarious trait that can bring harm upon a person. In this dramatic play, Othello, written by William Shakespeare in 1603, Iago is a man of various traits, most notorious for his keen manipulation skills that twist the minds of many characters. Iago feels the need to manipulate others in order to raise his status on the social hierarchy. He plots with consummate sophistication, carefully convincing Othello into believing that Desdemona is unfaithful. Iago has a passionate love for exploiting other people. Iago’s manipulative measures are a result of his insecurities, given that he is too caught up in his own desires to reach a status he seems to need in order to be comfortable.

He is angered by Othello’s decision to hire Michael Cassio as lieutenant rather than Iago, who was more qualified for the job based on his own experience. This jealousy inspires Iago to betray both Othello and Cassio (and anyone else who may get in his way) out of greed for the position, jealousy of Cassio, and his desire for revenge on Othello. Iago gets Cassio drunk and pits him as the drunk of Cyprus. He also instigates a fight which angers Othello because not only should Cassio not be drunk on the job, he also shouldn’t be fighting while on duty. At this point, Iago is simply searching for reason’s to qualify his behavior and attempts to find more fault in Othello.

In the play, Iago wants to get back at the lieutenant who is Cassio who has the job he wants. He finds out he likes to drink and thens he takes advantage of this. “If I can fasten but one cup upon him, With that which he hath drink tonight already. He’ll be as full of quarrel and offence. As my young mistress’ dog.” Said Iago. Iago is planning to get Cassio to drink more and get drunk and into a fight like his “young mistress’ dog.” He also plans to get Cassio into a bad situation, “He’ll be as full of quarrel and offence.” This shows Cassio trying to control the situation he gets into. The way that Iago is trying to control Cassio and the situation Cassio is getting in shows his manipulative

This play notifies us that anyone can be manipulated for negative intentions. The character of Othello helps portray the theme that every human is vulnerable to be exploited no matter who they are. This tragedy also demonstrates that true human nature is self-loathing, egotistic, and unapologetically vengeful – humanity strives to achieve as much success as Iago. This is why Othello (the alleged main character) is often not the one most adored by the viewers but rather

But one cup! I’ll drink for you.” Iago knows Cassio’s weakness and allows him to drink causing him to be drunk on duty. This had helped him further his plan at getting at Othello and affecting Cassio’s reputation. Secondly, the whole reason why Iago wants to go after Othello is because of his anger.

William Shakespeare’s Othello uses different and unique techniques in his language to express the nature of evil throughout the play. Verbal twists and the characters most importantly stress the act of evil. Iago, most of all is portrayed as the “villain” or “protagonist in the play. Shakespeare uses this character to set the basis of evil. Each plot point is spiraled further into tragedy due to the nature of Iago and his manipulative language towards the other main characters.

Loyal to his commander and Desdemona, he is impervious to Iago’s temptations where either is concerned. He is, however, given to loose living, and his behavior when discussing Bianca with Iago fires Othello’s suspicions, after Iago has made Othello believe they are discussing Desdemona. Cassio’s drinking on duty and becoming involved in a fight lead to his replacement by Iago. He escapes the plot of Iago and Othello to murder him, and he succeeds Othello as governor of Cyprus. Cassio has a growth mindset, because when he was fired he didn’t sit under a log and do nothing, he sobered up and asked Desdemona to help him get his job