How Does Iago Manipulate Othello's Character

Playing a key role in Othello’s demise was one of his subordinates, Iago, whose talent for understanding and manipulating the desires of those around him made him both a powerful and a compelling figure. Stating, “I hate the Moor” (Act 1, Scene 3, 367-368), Iago shows that he is ripe with anger. Motivated by what he sees as Othello’s passing him over for a promotion, along with feelings of jealousy and lust, Iago formulates a plan to reap his revenge for what he believes are the wrongs Othello has committed against him; a decision that ends both of their lives. It is clear that Iago detests Othello simply because he has attained the life he could never have; something he is willing to do whatever it takes to destroy him for. Showing his true objective, Iago talks of how the simple fact there is a rumor Othello has slept with his wife is enough for him to seek to destroy him.

In William Shakespeare 's play Othello, most characters commit something wrong, there are two characters who execute most of the play, but there 's one character who commits the greater wrong. The characters hurt and betray one another frequently, the play is focused on Iago trying to plot his plan as the play goes on, his intentions are to get revenge on Othello for one not promoting him to lieutenant and believing that Othello slept with his wife Emilia. For that Iago manipulates Othello 's wife Desdemona, Roderigo, Emilia and Cassio. Iago commits the greater wrong, for being manipulative, deceivious, and betraying. Iago and Othello are both main characters who have their way of making trouble, some would say Othello commits more wrong for falling into Iago 's lies and causing trouble, but Iago is actually the one who made the deaths happen and made more problems than Othello did or any other character.

Manipulation is shown in many ways such as politics, the media, misleading information and false advertising. To convey one’s thoughts to your own advantage is seen as crude and unnecessary. However, many people have their reasons in manipulating someone whether they are good or bad. In Shakespeare’s Othello, the concept of taking advantage of someone through manipulation leads to unnecessary, horrible events.

Iago Manipulation “Othello, the Moor of Venice” is a Shakespearean play which talks about the life of Othello who is a general in the Vatican army. Also, featured in the play is Iago, a junior Vatican army officer under whose traits and habits other characters suffer severely (Bevington, 2014). In the play, Iago happens to be a manipulative figure who uses the trust and weaknesses of other characters to ruin them in various ways, including revenge against Othello for what he refers to as the latter’s unfairness in choosing Cassio over him for a job promotion (Arthos, 2013). In the play, Iago is a skillful manipulator who uses his ability to get what he wants (Bevington, 2014).

In the Shakespeare story, “Othello” the villain of the story, Iago has a not so shocking transformation. He was a small time rapscallion, who simply at the the beginning wanted revenge for the wrongdoing done to him by being passed up for the promotion to lieutenant. But then it turned into more of nefarious plan, to “turn [Desdemona’s] virtue into pitch.” (Shakespeare.2.33.338) He manipulated everyone in this storyline he interacts with, especially the following characters; Roderigo, Othello & Emilia, with each character he goes from being harmless physically to being unpredictably evil. Roderigo, the man who unrequitedly has fallen in love in with Desdemona makes a deal with Iago in hopes of winning her heart.

Manipulation Has someone ever manipulated you? The real question is have you ever manipulated someone else? When we look at manipulation and what it can do to a person, we see that it can really take a toll on someone's mind causing them to say or do the unexpected. Manipulation is portrayed in books, movies, tv shows, and even plays. In Othello, Shakespeare uses manipulation to show how it has the power to change your perspective of the people you trust the most.

‘Iago is such a disturbing villain because he seems to have no real motives for his evil.’ How far and in what ways do you agree with this view? Iago is nothing more than a devious mastermind and Machiavellian of the Shakespearean tragedy, Othello. Whilst Iago does try to communicate multiple reasons for his motives in wanting to destroy Cassio and Othello these are mere rationalisations and excuses to provide justification for his evil actions and can only be accepted when analysing Othello on a surface level.

As Macbeth desperately tries to hold on to his power, Macduff and Malcolm plan to fight. In preparation for battle Macbeth says in battle “I have almost forgot the taste of fears” and illuminates his flaw (Mac. 5.5.9). Previously, Macbeth relies on his wife to calm his fears and to devise his plans to move forward. In contrast, Macbeth, now in a position of power, makes decisions without his wife, never discusses with her, and no longer relies on her influence to resolve his thoughts. Macbeth’s tragic flaw of ambition and lust for power transforms his character.

Othello seems to be happy with his decision about marrying the love of his life, Desdemona. This happiness can be interpreted by the display of affection through the use of positive adjectives. Othello 's dialogue with Desdemona is very poetic and romantic. He tries to convey a lot of his love through the use of his words, This approach makes his narratives bit complex and longer. We can also experience Othello 's trust of Desdemona 's fidelity, right when Iago starts to convince otherwise.

Each character present in a book serves an important purpose whether the reader likes them or not. Toni Morrison, author of the Desdemona wanted to remove Iago’s presence in her play because “He’s there [in the play Othello], eating up everything.” However, He cannot completely disappear since he played a major role,probably the most important one, in Othello that led to everyone else’s deaths. Although his name is barely mentioned in Desdemona, he is still alluded to because of his influence over Othello much like Barbary’s invisible presence that influences Desdemona in Othello. Because Othello and Desdemona are easily guided, Iago and Barbary’s invisible presence drives the stories.