Iago manipulates Cassio just as he manipulated Roderigo, through act 2 of The Tragedy of Othello by William Shakespeare. In scene one Cassio and Iago haven’t even been properly introduced yet, this means that Iago could not have manipulated Cassio’s thoughts or actions. Desdemona’s ship has just arrived in the harbor before Othello’s Cassio prays, “That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,/ Make love’s quick pants in Desdemona’s arms,/ Give renewed fire to our extincted spirits/ And bring all Cyprus comfort” (Shakespeare 2.1. 84-86). Cassio is himself in this passage, no changes have occurred in his character. He truly wishes that Othello comes to Cyprus safely so that he can be with Desdemona. This is a statement of true compassion and human emotions.
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Othello arrives safely and the city is going to throw a party. Othello leaves Cassio in charge of the island while he goes to spend time with Desdemona, iago forms a plan to tap into his temper. After Cassio has had a few drinks and Roderigo has tempted him with a fight, “A knave teach me my duty?/ I’ll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle” (Shakspeare 2.3. 109-110). Cassio yells this at Roderigo and then proceeds to fight him. Just after Montano tells him to calm down for he is drunk and then he proceeds to fight Montano. The actions of a man who lacks compassion and is filled with anger. All of this thanks to Iago, he convinced Cassio to have one too many drinks knowing that it would send him over the edge. Iago sparks anger in Cassio taking with it a little bit of his compassion and admiration. These fights get Cassio fired from his position as lieutenant, which should be exactly what Iago wanted. However Iago stays and talks to Cassio giving him advice on how to get his position back. During his silique Iago says this, “To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,/Directly to his
Othello arrives safely and the city is going to throw a party. Othello leaves Cassio in charge of the island while he goes to spend time with Desdemona, iago forms a plan to tap into his temper. After Cassio has had a few drinks and Roderigo has tempted him with a fight, “A knave teach me my duty?/ I’ll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle” (Shakspeare 2.3. 109-110). Cassio yells this at Roderigo and then proceeds to fight him. Just after Montano tells him to calm down for he is drunk and then he proceeds to fight Montano. The actions of a man who lacks compassion and is filled with anger. All of this thanks to Iago, he convinced Cassio to have one too many drinks knowing that it would send him over the edge. Iago sparks anger in Cassio taking with it a little bit of his compassion and admiration. These fights get Cassio fired from his position as lieutenant, which should be exactly what Iago wanted. However Iago stays and talks to Cassio giving him advice on how to get his position back. During his silique Iago says this, “To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,/Directly to his