A villain does not need powers to appear cruel and vicious. A villain who knows how to manipulate people with the power of words is a true villain. In William Shakespeare’s play, Othello, a man named Iago is fueled with revenge toward a soldier named Othello for not assigning him the position of lieutenant. In order for Iago to obtain this position, he carefully chooses his words to let others be part of his plan without their knowledge of it. Iago lies, shades the truth, and raises doubt to deceive Roderigo and Cassio that ultimately leads to the downfall of Othello.
In Act I, we get to see how Iago’s character is developed as he converses with Roderigo. Iago uses Roderigo for his money and makes him a valuable piece in his diabolical plan. …show more content…
Cassio is a modest soldier and respects Othello very much. At first, Cassio seemed a difficult person to manipulate, but Iago was able to devise a cunning plan that will cast off Cassio from his position. When Iago is alone, he makes a soliloquy to convince himself of Cassio having a relationship with Desdemona who is Othello’s wife. When Iago and Cassio are alone together, Iago convinces Cassio to have a drink. Cassio hesitates at first, but then succumbs to drinking and began fighting Roderigo for insulting him. Once Othello witnessed this, he no longer makes Cassio his lieutenant. Cassio is in despair, “Reputation, reputation, reputation!” (II.iii.280-285). Iago comforts Cassio by saying, “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving” (II.iii.285-290). Iago plays as a considerate friend looking out for Cassio’s well-being. He said that reputation is not relevant and Cassio should not worry about it. Iago provides advice to Cassio, “Confess yourself freely to her, importune her help to put you in your place again” (II.iii.335-340). Iago is true when he said that Desdemona is very nice and close to Othello. It is likely that Cassio will take back his position if he asked …show more content…
In Act three, Cassio wants Othello to reinstate him as his lieutenant. Cassio asked Desdemona for help convincing Othello, since she is dear to him. Desdemona thinks that Iago is an honest man for helping Cassio when Emilia said, “Good madam, do. I warrant it grieves my husband as if the cause were his” (117). Iago is able to appear as a caring friend to deceive Desdemona who did not like him in Act II when he slander his wife with obscene language. Iago stays by Othello’s side to lead him to the right moment of Cassio and Desdemona being together. Othello asked Iago if Cassio was with Desdemona and Iago replied in a manner that made Cassio looked guilty. Once Desdemona leaves, Iago asked Othello, “Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, know of your love?” (123). Iago wonders if Cassio knew that Desdemona and Othello were together? Iago’s innocent question piques Othello’s interest and Othello starts to bombard Iago with more questions. Iago diverts Othello’s questions that indicates to Othello that something is wrong, “Think, my lord? By heaven, thou echo’st me as if there were some monster in thy thought too hideous to be shown…” (III.iii.120-125). Iago does not want to concern Othello about these matters, but in fact he really wants Othello to have suspicion toward Cassio and Desdemona. Iago’s hesitation has perturbed Othello’s patience and demands that Iago tell him the truth.
In Act I, we get to see how Iago’s character is developed as he converses with Roderigo. Iago uses Roderigo for his money and makes him a valuable piece in his diabolical plan. …show more content…
Cassio is a modest soldier and respects Othello very much. At first, Cassio seemed a difficult person to manipulate, but Iago was able to devise a cunning plan that will cast off Cassio from his position. When Iago is alone, he makes a soliloquy to convince himself of Cassio having a relationship with Desdemona who is Othello’s wife. When Iago and Cassio are alone together, Iago convinces Cassio to have a drink. Cassio hesitates at first, but then succumbs to drinking and began fighting Roderigo for insulting him. Once Othello witnessed this, he no longer makes Cassio his lieutenant. Cassio is in despair, “Reputation, reputation, reputation!” (II.iii.280-285). Iago comforts Cassio by saying, “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving” (II.iii.285-290). Iago plays as a considerate friend looking out for Cassio’s well-being. He said that reputation is not relevant and Cassio should not worry about it. Iago provides advice to Cassio, “Confess yourself freely to her, importune her help to put you in your place again” (II.iii.335-340). Iago is true when he said that Desdemona is very nice and close to Othello. It is likely that Cassio will take back his position if he asked …show more content…
In Act three, Cassio wants Othello to reinstate him as his lieutenant. Cassio asked Desdemona for help convincing Othello, since she is dear to him. Desdemona thinks that Iago is an honest man for helping Cassio when Emilia said, “Good madam, do. I warrant it grieves my husband as if the cause were his” (117). Iago is able to appear as a caring friend to deceive Desdemona who did not like him in Act II when he slander his wife with obscene language. Iago stays by Othello’s side to lead him to the right moment of Cassio and Desdemona being together. Othello asked Iago if Cassio was with Desdemona and Iago replied in a manner that made Cassio looked guilty. Once Desdemona leaves, Iago asked Othello, “Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, know of your love?” (123). Iago wonders if Cassio knew that Desdemona and Othello were together? Iago’s innocent question piques Othello’s interest and Othello starts to bombard Iago with more questions. Iago diverts Othello’s questions that indicates to Othello that something is wrong, “Think, my lord? By heaven, thou echo’st me as if there were some monster in thy thought too hideous to be shown…” (III.iii.120-125). Iago does not want to concern Othello about these matters, but in fact he really wants Othello to have suspicion toward Cassio and Desdemona. Iago’s hesitation has perturbed Othello’s patience and demands that Iago tell him the truth.