In a typical life, individuals will develop a friendship with someone who is overly dependent. The overly dependent friend spews their worries and conflicts on to others in hopes for consultation or a solution. This kind of relationship, however, often includes a “friend” with malicious intents of destroying the dependent friend. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, multiple relations between characters prove to be resilient, but most often relationships are portrayed with extreme reliance and deception. Is it the character’s fault, however, that he or she trusts their disloyal “friend” until the very last moment of the falling action? Although a healthy friendship can sustain friends through mutual trust, a friend with devious intentions destroys
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Iago defines his past relations with Othello when he tells Roderigo, “I of whom his eyes had seen the proof / At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds / Christened and heathen, must be beleed and calmed” (1.1.30-32). Their involvement in wars most defines their relationship, with Othello being his military leader. This explains Iago’s jealousy when Cassio lands the position of lieutenancy. As literary critic, Lily B. Campbell explains, Iago “hates Othello as the one who preferred Cassio to himself” (125). This moment starts the destructive nature of Iago and Othello’s friendship. Iago seems to be the manipulative, hate-driven “friend”, starting from the very beginning when he claims, “I retell thee again and again, I hate the Moor” (1.3.408-09). Iago’s hate and jealousy driven passion causes his plan to succeed. The plan of abusing Othello’s ear supports the destructive friendship like a backbone, displaying how Iago is the epitome of a malevolent friend. From the first seed of doubt Iago places in his friend's mind, Othello becomes completely reliant on Iago’s false conceptions and trusts every word he says. Othello’s trust originates from his nature, past involvement and shared background with Iago, and his lack of knowledge. Literary analyst Robert B. Heilman explains that as Iago “plays against Othello with his game of honest and loving friend, he uses …show more content…
Iago’s dislike of Cassio is prominent, either because of the stolen lieutenancy position or for the jealousy of his figure in society. Whichever the reason, Iago, since the play’s beginning, plans to bring Cassio down with false accusations. Cassio, however, has no reason to suspect Iago for such malicious intents, until his drunk shenanigans. The first significant interaction between Cassio and Iago happens when Iago manipulates Cassio into a drunken state. Cassio states, “I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking” (2.3.34-35), to which Iago pressures Cassio in declaration that “O, they are our friends! But one cup; I’ll drink for you” (2.3.38-39). From this moment, Cassio believes Iago and him are becoming friends, therefore, allowing Iago to create a sense of trust. After Cassio discovers his forced resignation, he spews “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation!... My reputation, Iago, my reputation!” (2.3.281-84). Cassio directs these lines to Iago in hopes that he may provide intellectual suggestions on how to save his career and social standing. From here Cassio depends on and seeks for the devious words of Iago and follows his direct advice. Cassio’s own self-worry and pity distracts him from making wise choices instead forcing over reliance on Iago. As Cassio blindly takes proposals from Iago,
Iago defines his past relations with Othello when he tells Roderigo, “I of whom his eyes had seen the proof / At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds / Christened and heathen, must be beleed and calmed” (1.1.30-32). Their involvement in wars most defines their relationship, with Othello being his military leader. This explains Iago’s jealousy when Cassio lands the position of lieutenancy. As literary critic, Lily B. Campbell explains, Iago “hates Othello as the one who preferred Cassio to himself” (125). This moment starts the destructive nature of Iago and Othello’s friendship. Iago seems to be the manipulative, hate-driven “friend”, starting from the very beginning when he claims, “I retell thee again and again, I hate the Moor” (1.3.408-09). Iago’s hate and jealousy driven passion causes his plan to succeed. The plan of abusing Othello’s ear supports the destructive friendship like a backbone, displaying how Iago is the epitome of a malevolent friend. From the first seed of doubt Iago places in his friend's mind, Othello becomes completely reliant on Iago’s false conceptions and trusts every word he says. Othello’s trust originates from his nature, past involvement and shared background with Iago, and his lack of knowledge. Literary analyst Robert B. Heilman explains that as Iago “plays against Othello with his game of honest and loving friend, he uses …show more content…
Iago’s dislike of Cassio is prominent, either because of the stolen lieutenancy position or for the jealousy of his figure in society. Whichever the reason, Iago, since the play’s beginning, plans to bring Cassio down with false accusations. Cassio, however, has no reason to suspect Iago for such malicious intents, until his drunk shenanigans. The first significant interaction between Cassio and Iago happens when Iago manipulates Cassio into a drunken state. Cassio states, “I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking” (2.3.34-35), to which Iago pressures Cassio in declaration that “O, they are our friends! But one cup; I’ll drink for you” (2.3.38-39). From this moment, Cassio believes Iago and him are becoming friends, therefore, allowing Iago to create a sense of trust. After Cassio discovers his forced resignation, he spews “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation!... My reputation, Iago, my reputation!” (2.3.281-84). Cassio directs these lines to Iago in hopes that he may provide intellectual suggestions on how to save his career and social standing. From here Cassio depends on and seeks for the devious words of Iago and follows his direct advice. Cassio’s own self-worry and pity distracts him from making wise choices instead forcing over reliance on Iago. As Cassio blindly takes proposals from Iago,