OTHELLO, by Shakespeare - Manipulation

Prctico #4 OTHELLO, by Shakespeare Manipulation
Iago, the pupeteer

Regarding the theme of manipulation, in Shakespeares Othello, Iago is the main character who
exploits his capacity to manipulate people in order to achieve his self-interests. In many ways,
Iago is the driving force behind the plot, a playwright of sorts whose machinations inspire the action
of the play. Iago is a classic two-faced villain, a type of character known in Shakespeares time as a
Machiavela villain who, adhering all too literally to the teachings of the political philosopher
Machiavelli, lets nothing stand in his way in his quest for power: the end justifies the means.
It is Iagos talent for understanding and manipulating the desires of those around him that makes
him both a powerful and a compelling figure. He can shift his identity according to his situation and
surroundings. Iagos skilled recognition of his cultures anxieties allows him to perform upon his
opponents fears and manipulate them into carrying out his plot. He uses his rhetorical artistry to
recreate his identity multiple times, becoming a different person to different people. He uses the
instable identities of Othello and Cassio by animating their anxieties to them and bringing forth
their fears about their rhetorically constructed personas. He convinces them of his version of the
truth, manipulates their actions, and carries out his plot. Thats why hes like a puppeteer or chess
player.
Iagos manipulation of Roderigo
In Roderigos case, Iago not only manipulates his obtuseness, but also his desperate love for
Desdemona. By exploiting Roderigos dimwitted nature, Iago is able to attain any monetary
resources he wishes: my sick fool Roderigo, whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out (II, iii,
52-54). Roderigo tells Iago that he is in love with Desdemona and he complains that that he has no
chance of breaking up Othellos marriage, and that if that comes true, she would fall in love with Cassio.
So Iago counsels Roderigo that he should cast Cassio into disgrace by starting a fight with Cassio at the
evenings revels. In a soliloquy, Iago explains to the audience that eliminating Cassio is the first
crucial step in his plan to ruin Othello. That night, Iago gets Cassio drunk and then sends Roderigo to
start a fight with him. Apparently provoked by Roderigo, Cassio chases Roderigo across the stage.
Governor Montano attempts to hold Cassio down, and Cassio stabs him. Iago sends Roderigo to raise
alarm in the town. Iago takes advantage of Roderigos foolish, nave nature and his desire to be with
Desdemona to further his evil purposes and get his money in exchange for his advice.
Iagos manipulation of Cassio and Desdemona
Iago takes advantage of both Cassios yearning for his old position of lieutenant as well as
Desdemonas good-hearted nature in order create the image that Desdemona is being unfaithful with
him. Cassio loses his lieutenancy due to his drunkenness and brawl with Roderigo and Montano.
Dejected, Cassio turns to Iago, a self-proclaimed, honest man (II,iii,285), who happens to be nearby.
Iago has succeeded in reducing Cassio to a pitiful state; a state in which he will be highly
suggestible due to his desperation. Iago first comforts Cassio asserting that, Reputation is an idle
and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving (II, iii, 287-9), which is ironic
since Iago has a reputation as an honest man when he deceives routinely, while Cassio is now
considered a wild drunk when in reality he is Othellos dearest ally. Iago states that, Our generals wife
is now the general (II, iii, 333-4), and that he can appeal to her good-nature so that she helps him
recover his relationship to Othello. In this scene, Iago masterfully utilizes Cassios low tolerance for
alcohol to rob him of his position. He then plants in Cassio the idea of using Desdemona as his
supplicant or petitioner.
Iagos manipulation of Desdemona occurs through Cassio. He exploits Desdemonas natural
proclivity to help others, toward his dark purpose; he turn[s] her virtue into pitch (II, iii, 380). Iago is
presented as a satanic figure who endeavors to pervert that which is pure and good. Through his
suggestion to Cassio, Iago can now be certain that Cassio will entreat Desdemona to petition for him
with Othello. Cassio implores Desdemona for her aid and predictably she responds: Be thou assured,
good Cassio, I will do all my abilities in thy behalf (III, iii, 1-2), and thus Iagos plan succeeds. Iago will
use their interaction to further extend his evil plot. Iagos suggestions to Othello will cause him to
construe Desdemonas pleas for Cassio as pleas for her paramour.
Iagos manipulation of Othello
Iagos manipulative behavior and rhetoric are evident from the start with his actions towards Roderigo
but it isnt until Iagos first soliloquy in the end of Act I that the reader gets a glimpse into his mind. In his
soliloquy, Iago breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the audience:
Iago: I hate the Moor,
And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets
'Has done my office. I know not if 't be true,
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well.
The better shall my purpose work on him. (1.3.429-34)
I follow him to serve my turn upon him (1,1)
Iago explains in a soliloquy how he plans to get his revenge on Othello: he will abuse
Othellos ear / That [Cassio] is too familiar with his wife (Act 1).
"I'll pour this pestilence into his ear" (Act 2, scene3)
Iagos most destructive manipulation is his manipulation of Othello. Othello possesses a free and open
nature, which his ensign Iago uses to twist his love for his wife, Desdemona, into a powerful and
destructive jealousy (I.iii.381) and make Othello trust him completely.
Iago poisons Othellos soul with subtle hints about the false idea that [Desdemona] must die, else she'll
betray more men (V, ii, 6). He exploits Othellos insecurities about himself to make him become
suspicious of Desdemonas love.
Othello sees his wife with a man and he inquires whether it was Cassio who just parted from his wife,
and Iago, beginning to kindle Othellos fire of jealousy, replies, No, sure, I cannot think it, / That he
would steal away so guilty-like, / Seeing your coming (III.iii.3739). And later on Desdemonas
entreaties to Othello to reinstate Cassio as lieutenant add to Othellos almost immediate conviction
that his wife is unfaithful.
When Emilia gives Iago Desdemonas handkerchief, he feels delighted and he plants it in Cassios
room as evidence of his affair with Desdemona. When Othello demands ocular proof (III.iii.365) that
his wife is unfaithful, Iago says that he has seen Cassio wipe his beard (III.iii.444) with Desdemonas
handkerchiefthe first gift Othello ever gave her. He then asks Iago to kill Cassio for
him, and promotes Iago to lieutenant. Through Iagos machinations, Othello becomes so consumed by
jealousy that he falls into a trance and has a fit of epilepsy. And due to Iagos deception, Othello ends
up killing his wife and killing himself, after he becomes aware of Iagos lies.
Iagos manipulation of Emilia
Iago also manipulates the undeserving devotion that Emilia shows him. He asks his wife to bring the
handkerchief Othello first gave to Desdemona, but he manages to deflect her questions and shes
unaware of her husbands evil plans.
Other characters being persuasive but not manipulative
Desdemona tries to persuade Othello to reinstate Cassio as lieutenant and to restore their fond
relationship.
Bibliography
Chloe Jenkins-Sleczkowski, "I Am Not What I am": Iago's Rhetoric of Identity and Anxiety. 2009.
Laura DeLuca, The Manipulation of Masks: the Rhetoric and Deceit of Shakespeares
Character Iago, Judith K.Winn School of Honors, Bergen Community College, Bergen Scholarly
Journal. 2015.
Sparknotes, Othello: http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/othello/

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Prctico #4 OTHELLO, by Shakespeare Manipulation

Iago, the pupeteer

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