Though the intentions of the two characters differ in regards to what drives them to create their plans, Sofronia, from Niccolo ̀ Machiavelli’s Clizia, and Iago, from William Shakespeare’s Othello, both use similar tactics to work to achieve their plans. While both Sofronia and Iago use lies and deception to feign loyalty to those being plotted against to prevent them from gaining knowledge of their plans, Sofronia successfully does so to save her family’s good name and prevent her husband from sleeping with Clizia, their adoptive daughter. Meanwhile, Iago’s failure in the end due to the revelation of his actions leads to the murder of multiple characters, though he originally intended for revenge on just Othello and Cassio.
In Clizia, Nicomaco …show more content…
To provide further evidence, Iago places Desdemona’s handkerchief, which he ordered his wife to steal, in Cassio’s possession without him knowing of it. Additionally, Iago goes and tells Othello a story where he was sleeping in the same bed as Cassio, when suddenly he hears him say “’Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves!’” (3.3.416-417) and kissed him in his sleep before continuing to cry “’Curse ̀d fate that gave thee to the Moor” (3.3.422-423) . While this is not true, Iago comes up with this to pretend that an affair between Cassio and Desdemona has deepened to drive Othello’s anger. Having his wife’s infidelity confirmed, Othello gives Iago the position of lieutenant and orders him to murder Cassio.
While his anger over not receiving the position was one of the reasons that he provides for him planning for Othello’s downfall, Iago continues with his plan. As Othello commanded, Iago attempts to murder Cassio and blame it on Roderigo. However, Cassio survives to tell the truth to Othello later in the play, after Othello killed Desdemona over the jealousy which stems from Iago’s lies. Iago does kill his wife, however, for being honest and admitting that she was the one that originally stole Desdemona’s handkerchief. Othello afterwards kills himself for murdering his wife, and Iago is
In Clizia, Nicomaco …show more content…
To provide further evidence, Iago places Desdemona’s handkerchief, which he ordered his wife to steal, in Cassio’s possession without him knowing of it. Additionally, Iago goes and tells Othello a story where he was sleeping in the same bed as Cassio, when suddenly he hears him say “’Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves!’” (3.3.416-417) and kissed him in his sleep before continuing to cry “’Curse ̀d fate that gave thee to the Moor” (3.3.422-423) . While this is not true, Iago comes up with this to pretend that an affair between Cassio and Desdemona has deepened to drive Othello’s anger. Having his wife’s infidelity confirmed, Othello gives Iago the position of lieutenant and orders him to murder Cassio.
While his anger over not receiving the position was one of the reasons that he provides for him planning for Othello’s downfall, Iago continues with his plan. As Othello commanded, Iago attempts to murder Cassio and blame it on Roderigo. However, Cassio survives to tell the truth to Othello later in the play, after Othello killed Desdemona over the jealousy which stems from Iago’s lies. Iago does kill his wife, however, for being honest and admitting that she was the one that originally stole Desdemona’s handkerchief. Othello afterwards kills himself for murdering his wife, and Iago is