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W.H. Auden once aforementioned, There is more than meets the eye. suggesting that there could be a hidden or deeper meaning behind a persons initial look. Lies, deceits and dishonesty is one of the foremost themes in Shakespeares play Othello . The character of Iago isn’t any different from those deceptive individuals. Behind his facade of a trustworthy ensign and friend, Iago is multilayered, deceptive and a manipulative villain, concocting chaos and inflicting mishaps to other characters for revenge. Iago uses his deft and shrewd strategic acts of manipulation to undermine each characters weakness. He exploits Roderigos love for Desdemona, cajols Cassio under the semblance of friendship and toys with Othellos mind by playing on his insecurities. Evidently, Iago manipulates people around him by using their weakness for his advantage.
Iago uses Roderigos naive and gullible temperament to his advantage. Roderigos love for Desdemona renders him at risk of Iagos manipulation. This causes him to hands down believe anything Iago says in hopes of getting Desdemona. At first Iago robs Roderigo of his fortune. He convinces him that the gold and jewels are given to Desdemona as a proclamation of his love when in reality, he plans to keep it to himself. Iago states, Thus do I ever make my fool my purse (1.3.426). Patently, Iago takes advantage of Roderigos devotion by conning him out of all his money. Similarly, Iago uses Roderigo yet again by convincing him to kill Cassio. Even though Roderigo is reluctant initially, he relents once Iago insists by serving to him, Roderigo can win Desdemona’s heart. Roderigo states, I have no great devotion to the deed./And yet he hath given me the satisfying reasons. Tis but a man gone. Forth my sword: he dies. (5.1.9-11).
Evidently, gullible Rodrigo falls for Iago’s perfidy and makes an attempt to kill Cassio. This portrays the way Iago ruthlessly takes advantage of foolish Roderigo for his own desires and disposes him once his value is used up. Overall Roderigo is a pawn in Iagos schemes, controlled and enslaved through his blind lust for Desdemona. (Baker and Womack 1538). Thus, Iago exploits Roderigos naiveté and obsession with desdemona to give birth to the downfall of other characters.
Iago capitalizes on Cassios trusting nature by dissembling to be his friend whereas clandestinely confusing him. At first Iago pressures Cassio to drink, getting him intoxicated to cause a fight. As a result, Othello demotes Cassio from his high ranking position as lieutenant, Cassios status is of utmost importance to him, having simply been demoted exposes him to Iagos schemes. In fact, despite the actual fact that Iago is behind Cassios disturbance, he betrayed him by telling Montano that Cassio is alcoholic. Iago tells Montano, Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep/ Hell watch the horologe a double set/ If drink rock not his cradle (2.3.134-36). Iago knowingly slanders Cassio to diminish his name despite pretending to be Cassios friend. With this in mind, Iago further plots against Cassio by advising him with malicious intentions. He provides Cassio hope of obtaining his position back by telling him to ask Othellos better half, Desdemona to succour. Though this might look like a legitimate recommendation, Iago plans to use this in his play to bring him down. Iago appeals to Cassios trusting nature I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest/ Kindness, (2.3.347-348) but follows it up by sarcastically saying a soliloquy:
And whats he then that says I play the villain?
When this advice is free I give and honest.
Probal to thinking and indeed the course.
To win the Moor again? (2.3.356-359)
Patently, Iago deliberately misleads Cassio so he could use Cassios misguided behavior to insinuate that he wants Desdemona. it’s terribly clear that Iago is fully aware of himself as an improviser and revels in his ability to manipulate his victims. (qtd. In Where Iago Lies, par. 3). In a sense, Iago may be a devil in disguise, preying on Cassios trusting nature. Similar to how he uses Roderigos gullible nature tuen him into a pawn, he manages to try and do the same to the trusting and unwitting Cassio. In short, Iago manipulates Cassio by taking advantage of his trusting nature to deceive him by pretending to be in a friendly relationship.
Iago plays on Othello’s personal insecurities to accomplish his downfall. Othello is notably and outcast, being the sole Black person in a white society. At all time in the play, he is referred to as The Moor . The colour of his skin leads to unfavourable planned presumptions and also the association of savage doctrine characteristics. Even his relationship is in a period where such a marriage would be rare and controversial (Baker and Womack 1534). As a result of societys prejudice, Othellos self-confidence diminishes, permitting Iago to exploit his insecurity to invoke the hunch of jealousy in him. To start, Iago insinuates that Desdemona is unfaithful to Othello as she only prefers people of her type, a category Othello can ne’er belong. Iago convincingly states,
As, to be bold with you
Not to affect many proposed matches
Of her own clime, complexion and degree
Whereto we see in all things nature tends (3.3.268-271)
Keeping this logic in mind, Iago claims that Desdemona would like Cassio, who is like her in age, race and sophistication as critical Othello, on the contrary is older, black and unattractive. Similarly, Iago uses Desdemonas gender and past to make Othello believe of her infidelity. iago states, She did deceive her father marrying you./ And when she seemed to shake and fear your looks,/ She loved them most (3.3.238-240). He suggests that Desdemona, having betrayed her father, is extremely likely to betray Othello. Combined with the understanding, that women of that time were unvirtuous and unfaithful, this tips Othello over the edge. Piece by piece, Iago wears down Othellos layers, and places a thick cloud of doubt and jealousy around him. To continue, Iago muddles with Othellos mind to such extent that Othello believes nobody however him. He cocoons Othello coats of lies, maneuvering his doubt and jealousy against Desdemona.
Beyond any doubt, Othello shapes a string of truth from Iagos lies and promoted Iago to his desired position as lieutenant. Ironically, Othello accepts Iagos lies and believes them to be the reality, however believes Desdemonas truthful pleas to be a lie. In essence, iago takes advantage of Othellos personality to cradle him in a deceitful surroundings. Thus, Iago toys with Othellos mind by playing with his insecurities and using them against him. Iago undermines every characters weakness to make sure of the success of his strategic schemes against them. This idea permits Shakespeare to form a plot of deceptiveness that plays a significant role within the theme of the play. The gullible fool Roderigo, the trusting Cassio and also the noble Moor, all fall for Iagos wiles, illustrating his convincing nature and talent to fiendishly manipulate characters. Iago is sort of a spider, twisting his prey deeper while spinning the web of lies around them. All in all, Iago masterminds the downfall and deaths of the many characters and currently he lives with all the implications of his actions and also the weight of all the deaths he caused on his shoulders.
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