What Role Does Emelia Play In Iago's Deception

Iago is a fictional character in Shakespeare 's Othello. Being the play 's main antagonist, Iago is also the 'Ancient ' of General Othello as well as the husband of Emilia, the handmaiden of Othello 's wife Desdemona. Throughout the play, Iago schemes and plants fake evidence of Desdemona’s “affair” with Cassio, Othello’s righthand man. The question on my mind is, why would Othello do all of this?

Iago’s manipulation of Othello is the most significant in the play Othello. Although, Iago’s elaborate plan would never have worked without careful manipulation of Othello’s honorable lieutenant, Cassio. In the third scene of act two, Iago uses his established credibility and pathos to manipulate Cassio’s emotions. The scene starts with Othello telling Cassio to assist Iago in standing guard through the night. When Iago arrives, he begins his manipulation by shifting the conversation to Othello’s wife Desdemona, which leads Cassio to say, “She is indeed perfection” (Shakespeare, 2.3.22). Iago uses this conversation to direct Cassio’s emotions. Immediately after Cassio confesses his feeling for Desdemona, Iago tells Cassio he has a “stoup of wine,” and wants to have a toast to Othello’s health (2.3.23). With persuasion from Iago, Cassio takes part in the toast and gets drunk. Shortly after Cassio leaves, Iago sends Roderigo, a former suitor to Desdemona, to start a fight with him. Not long after, Roderigo runs back pursued by Cassio. Iago, knowing

Iago's interpretation of Cassio's exit, combined with Desdemona's vigorous support on Cassio's behalf, creates suspicion in Othello's mind even before Iago prompts him. Othello manifests his confusion

Cassio lost Othello's trust, and this actually made it possible for Iago to try to let it look like he and Desdemona are "making the beast with two backs". Cassio, -after following Iago's advice-, tries to get back his military title and Othello's trust through Desdemona, but this makes the situation even worse.

“The Duke does greet you, general, And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, Even on the instant.” (1.2.37). Michael Cassio first enters Othello when delivering a message to the general, Othello. He is a young, highly educated lieutenant. Though he is inexperienced in battle, he is truly devoted to his governor. Unfortunately, his gullible and blind ways unintentionally lead to Othello’s death. Since he arrives to Cyprus before Othello and his wife Desdemona, he is there to greet Desdemona who arrives a bit before Othello. She has a conversation with Iago, Othello’s ensign. It consists of him speaking poorly of women and Cassio speaking up by saying Iago is more of a soldier than a scholar. Othello’s ship makes land and they celebrate that night. Iago knows that if Cassio has too much to drink, he will be intolerable. This is true, and Cassio picks a fight with Roderigo and Montano, a former governor of Cyprus. This leads to Othello’s firing of Cassio, “. . . Cassio I love thee but never more be officer of mine” (2.3.211-212).

Roderigo taunts Michael Cassio into a drunken brawl. Montano and other men try to hold Cassio back; knowing Michael has no clue what he is doing due to be intoxicated. The fight quickly turns dangerous when Michael Cassio turns against Montano and stabs him! Othello get word of the brawl outbreak and arrives with armed men to assess the situation. Iago is pleased with the brawl; he knows that the arrival of Othello will bring punishment to Michael Cassio. Othello demands to know what has happened to bring him away from his wife. Montano is in excruciating pain and unable to tell the whole story; Iago speaks for him. Telling Othello that he does not know how the fight had broken out. Michael Cassio, thinking Iago is being a friend and covering for him, goes along with Iago’s story. Othello immediately demotes Michael Cassio from his position as lieutenant. This is another achievement for Iago; he has gained trust from Michael Cassio and has the victory of Michael Cassio not being Othello’s lieutenant.

Cassio's trust in Iago stems not only from his impeccable reputation of sincerity, but again from Othello's influence.  Othello simply states; "Iago is most honest." [Act II, scene iii], when conversing with Cassio.  Once more, if Othello feels this way, then Cassio, who admires Othello and follows his leadership, will also believe that Iago is an honest man.  When Iago pretends to help Cassio, he comments; "I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest", [Act III, scene I].

Cassio's uncharacteristic aggression is what eventually removes his from position as lieutenant. "Sir, he's rash and very sudden in choler, and haply may strike at you. Provoke him that he may, for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio" (Shakespeare 261-264). This quote is when Iago explains Cassio to Othello among the numerous times that he does do so.

Throughout the play she shows her innocence and friendship towards Cassio. This act of kindness only makes Othello more suspicious that the two are having an affair because of their

Even though he genuinely respects her, he can be perceived as provocative. Moving on, Iago tries to get Cassio drunk. Since Cassio is very kind, he eventually gives in and takes some alcohol, which leads to him getting into a brawl with Montano and Roderigo, staged by Iago. Othello becomes aware of the irrational fight and strips Cassio of his lieutenancy, for his foolish behaviour. (II.iii.264-265)

This making Othello defensive and one hundred percent again Cassio after hearing this rumor. He is infuriated that Cassio, or any of the men would betray him and go over him and his ruling in such a way. Othello claims “I’ll kill him first, and then let him confess!” (IV, i, 37-38). He is taking his own action for Cassio since he has went above and over Othello’s position.

Iago’s second soliloquy reveals how he manipulates Cassio and Desdemona. While Desdemona waits for Othello to return from his journey across ravenous seas, Iago joins her. He purposely acts like a jerk to Desdemona and his wife, Emilia in front of Cassio. When Iago departs from the group, Cassio, in his good mannered gentleman way, reassures Desdemona that Othello will make it to shore fine. Having Desdemona confide in his words, Cassio takes interest in her just as Iago had planned.

Othello had slept with his wife. He suspects not only that of Othello but Cassio as well. It seems as though Cassio is more involved with others lives rather than focusing on his own.

That fact in and of itself should make Cassio weary of Iago. Added to that, Iago influences Cassio to drink more alcohol than Cassio can handle. This leads to the fight between Cassio and Roderigo. During this time Iago poisons Montano’s impressions of Cassio by telling him, “I fear the trust Othello puts in him,”(II.iii.120). Iago also says alcohol “‘Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep.”(II.iii.123). Iago, again, uses Othello’s trust in his character. Othello, when he finally gets the story from Iago, is blinded by Iago’s “honesty and love” and says that these “doth mince [his judgement in] this matter,/ making it light to Cassio.”(II.iii.241-242). Nevertheless, Cassio asks for and acts on advice from Iago. This advice is the crucial mandate that ensures Iago will be able to plant the seed of doubt in Othello’s mind.

You have told me she hath received them, and returned me expectations and comfort of sudden respect and acquaintance; but I find none” (IV, ii, 186-190). Roderigo started to see that Iago is cheating on him, but Iago is smart enough, and Roderigo is dumb enough for Iago to confuse him. In the second act during the party after the defeat over the Turks, Cassio becomes very drunk and easily taken advantage of. He then runs into the room where everyone is and attacks Roderigo. Montano intervenes and is then wounded by Cassio; Othello is forced to demote Cassio from his position of Lieutenant. With Cassio devastated he asks for advice from Iago, he then informs Cassio the only way to gain his position back is to talk to Desdemona. Cassio then leaves “good night, Honest Iago” (II, iii, 306). Shakespeare put in those two extra words on purpose; he is trying to show how Iago is already able to play with people’s minds and how manipulative he can be. Us, the audience knowing what Iago really wants to do, but Cassio puts trust into Iago with his position and future. The last person to believe Iago is honest and to trust him is Othello. Iago started to tell Othello of how Desdemona might be sleeping with Cassio, and how she is cheating on him. Othello does not believe him as there is no proof, “I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; and on the proof there is no more but this” (III, iii, 190-191). Othello knows