Betrayal is a main theme in Othello and is revealed through the actions and often irrational behavior of the characters. First of all, there is the perceived betrayal of Desdemona when she marries Othello without her father's knowledge or consent. Ironically, Brabantio warns Othello, when he says, "She has deceiv'd her father, and may thee," (I.iii.293). He is suggesting that she has therefore shown a potential for disloyalty. Immediately after this warning, Othello significantly leaves Desdemona in the care of "Honest Iago," (294); the same Iago who alerted Desdemona's father to her marriage in the first place so that he could cause a disturbance and who even admits that he merely shows solidarity with Othello in order to "serve my turn upon him," (I.i.42); in other words, he acts for his own benefit. …show more content…
Therefore, Iago ruins Cassio's reputation for his part in being chosen by Othello. Iago is also delusional believing that Othello has been unfaithful with Iago's wife and this is just another reason why Iago ensures everyone's downfall. He is determined to exact his revenge on anyone who has disappointed him or benefited when Iago feels he should have been the one to benefit. There is no foundation on which he bases his claim that Othello has been unfaithful with Iago's wife but this does not stop him making the
He's a horrible man that only thinks of himself. At first Iago is angry that Othello didn't give him the position of lieutenant, then he thinks Othello slept with his wife. “Call up her father, rouse him: -make after him, poison his delight.” (Act 1, sc 1, lines 71-72) he says to Roderigo. He wants Desdemona's father to know about her running away with Othello, in order to get Othello in trouble. It's in Cyprus that Iago brings his evil plan into play.Then, while in Cyprus he becomes even more paranoid: thinking, even more, people have been with his wife. He says to Cassio “Sir, would she give you so much of her lips as of her tongue she oft bestows on me.” (Act 2, sc 1, lines 110-111). This is when he accuses Cassio of being with his wife just like Othello. He also finally expresses how he feels about other characters when he’s in Cyprus. Iago admits that Othello is noble and loving, he loves Desdemona and hates Cassio. He wants to take down and get even with both Cassio and Othello and doesn't care that in doing so he will be harming Desdemona. He seems to get joy out of the pain he causes. Iago is able to make Othello question his trust in Cassio and Desdemona.
of being an honest man. Iago knew that an important man like Othello couldn’t ignore. the possibility that his wife was cheating on him. Nobody suspects that Iago is a deceitful man and would plot and plan to destroy Othello, Cassio and Desdemona in such a way. cunning way to go.
Implicitly targeting Othello’s doubts about marrying Desdemona and insecurities about her actions with infidelity, Iago eventually impacts Othello enough that the General himself confides in Iago about his own wife. Earlier in the play, ‘honest Iago’ needs to first gain Othello’s confidence and he does so by expressing his loyalty to Cassio, “I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth/ Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio”, while Othello is present in a conflict (2.3. 203-204). Then, later in the play Iago baits Othello by suggesting that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Immediately, Othello wants more information; however, Iago nervously responds with, “…vicious in my guess-/ As I confess…” and tries to calm Othello by saying, “My noble lord-” (3.3 46-47, 93). When voicing his devotion to Cassio, Iago immediately begins to play on his false reputation as ‘honest Iago’. He enables Othello, and his fellow characters, to think highly of him and to respect that even when his partner, Cassio, has not been following orders, Iago would even endure physical pain and have his “tongue cut from [his] mouth” and proves his locality (2.3. 203). This leads to when Iago responds to Othello’s queries, about
In The Tragedy of Othello, William Shakespeare tells the tale of the “noble Moor” whose honor and innocence bring about his downfall. Shakespeare writes of the power of jealousy, and the art of masterful deception and trickery. The story primarily takes place in Cyprus, during a war between the people of Venice and the invading Turks. In this play Shakespeare shows the feelings of Othello’s embittered right-hand man of, Iago, who feels he is passed over for a promotion and swears his revenge. He proceeds to manipulate his friends, enemies, and family into doing his bidding without any of them ever realizing his ultimate goal. He makes Othello believe that his new wife, the innocent Desdemona, is committing adultery with his newly promoted officer Michael Cassio. After this seed of jealousy has been planted, Othello’s mind takes its course in determining the true outcome, with a little more nudging from Iago. The course of action he proceeds to follow is one that not only ends his own life, but also the life of his wife and others. In Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Othello, Othello is a man who is still truly honorable, despite the course of action he takes to resolve his perceived problem.
Iago is one of the most complex characters in William Shakespeare’s Othello. To most of the characters, he is “Honest Iago” (Shakespeare, 5.2.73). however, the audience knows that Iago is the furthest thing from honest. Iago is a devil bent on destroying the lives of everyone around him. At the beginning of the play, the audience learns that Iago is determined to ruin Othello’s marriage to Desdemona. He has appointed a new lieutenant, Michael Cassio. This angers Iago because he feels that he has much more military experience and should be the lieutenant. Iago has also heard rumours that both Othello and Cassio have slept with his wife Emilia. He concocts a malicious plan to ruin the lives of all who have wronged him, and consequently establishing
Iago used reputation to his advantage in order to fulfill his plan to get revenge on Othello and Cassio. He uses each characters reputation to bring out their weaknesses, which he uses to his advantage. This includes his own. Over and over, Othello calls Iago, “Honest Iago.” Because his reputation is known for being honest, he tells Othello lie after lie because he knows Othello will believe him. This in turn helps him fulfill his plan because Othello falls right into his trap. Othello believes Iago when he says that Desdemona is cheating on him. He believes when Iago tells him how Cassio had a dream about Desdemona, and he believes Iago when he says that Desdemona gave Cassio the handkerchief. Another example of Iago using reputation to his advantage is with Desdemona. She is known for being sweet and innocent, and he exploits that with Cassio and Othello. When Cassio is desperate to get his job as lieutenant back, Iago simply tells him to get help from Desdemona because, “Our generals wife is now the general” (II.III.314-315). What this is saying is that because Desdemona and Othello are now married, she can control him, because it is his job to please her as she wishes. When Cassi...
Later, Iago scorns the Moor and Cassio. While his many accusations are unbelievable, they present motive and a pathological desire to ruin these people's lives for specific reasons. Iago believes that Othello won Desdemona, not by stories of perils, but by "bragging and telling her fanatical lies." (line 216) Iago also denounces Cassio as "a slipper and subtle knave, a finder out of occasions, that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself; a devilish knave." (lines 229-231) Iago is able to denounce anyone through fictitious reasoning. In this way, he can make up reasons to seek revenge on innocent people. He also scoffs at Cassio's courteous remarks to women. He says that Desdemona is a "most exquisite lady . . . most fresh and delicate . .
Shakespeare develops the character Iago into an instigator and evil man. Iago attempts and succeeds to convince Othello that his wife has had an affair with his friend Cassio. We see Iago beginning his plans at the very start of the play. “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at, I am not what I am.”(Oth 1:1:64-65) He immediately tries to start trouble with Brabantio and Othello over the marriage to Desdemona. Iago want to get in Othello’s way because he was passed over for general and Cassio was chosen instead. We see from the start how he plots against Othello and he involves several characters in his plans. “And what’s he then that says I play the villain? When this advice is free. I give and honest, probal to thinking, and indeed the course to win the Moor again? For tis easy Th’ inclining Desdemona to subdue in any honest suit; she’s framed as fruitful…”(2:3:295-300).
Moreover, Othello experiences betrayal through his friend ‘honest’ Iago. Iago manipulates his trusting and rash nature by leading him to believe that his wife is cheating on him. Othello clearly puts much faith in Iago, even making him lieutenant as a reward for this ‘loyalty’: “For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant” (3.3.170). However, this faith is misplaced, as Iago continuously conspires against him. Iago’s manipulation causes Othello’s emotional grief, believing Desdemona has betrayed the holiness of their marriage, causing him fits of rage and seizures. Moreover, due to Iago’s deceit, Othello betrays his wife, murdering Desdemona as ‘punishment’ for her apparent betrayal. “Sweet soul, take heed, / Take heed of perjury; thou art on thy deathbed” (5.2.61-62). In reality,
Othello knows that society will never accept that he is black man married to a white woman. Iago uses Othello’s current emotional state to invoke a stream of jealousy in Othello. Iago hints that Othello should watch his wife with Cassio. Iago warns Othello by saying “look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio” (3.3.199). Iago knows that the meeting behind Cassio and Desdemona is harmless but he still uses it to cause turmoil. He successfully assures Othello that his wife is having an affair. Iago ultimately causes the death and end to the marriage of Othello and Desdemona. He is so corrupted that he does not feel sympathy or guilt for his actions. His actions in some ways resemble a crazed man. At some point he even brings his wife, Emilia in on his dirty work. He asked for Emilia to still Desdemona handkerchief to finally prove deceit. At this point in the story it’s like Iago will use anyone to satisfy his need for retaliation. Iago stayed true to his false manmade façade up until his wife figures out the truth. He kills his wife because he could not have her reveal his true persona. Iago seems to work best in secret where he can conduct what each character could do
Iago is a very strategic and clever person, and he despises Othello because Othello appointed Cassio as a lieutenant over Iago. He plans to ruin Othello’s life by ruining his relationship with Desdemona. He starts off by telling Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, of Othello and Desdemona’s secret marriage. Iago goes to
In act One, scene one we see Iago's conversation with Roderigo about Cassio being promoted ahead of him and how Iago believes that this is because of favourtism. This suggests one of many reasons why Iago plots against Othello. From this conversation we see that Iago is envious of Cassio being promoted ahead of him, and plotting against Othello as a means of seeeeking revenge. “I follow him to serve my turn upon him”. Iago believes that he deserves the position of lieutenant over Cassio, however instead of confronting Othello about his decision, Iago plots in secret to destroy Othello and uses his reputation a “honest Iago” to his full advantage.
In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is the antagonist and villain who causes all the trouble and disorder. Othello is the protagonist, and is the main person Iago’s destruction and revenge is aimed towards. Othello is naïve and gives everybody his trust even though he may not know them or they haven’t earned his trust yet. He often refers to Iago has “Honest” Iago, which is a direct showing of irony because Iago is not honest at all (Shakespeare, I, iii. 289). Iago is so angry that Othello didn’t give him the promotion that was given to Cassio that he plans to seek revenge against Othello. He seeks his revenge against Othello by manipulating and lying to all of the people around him including his closest friend Roderigo, Cassio, Othello’s wife Desdemona and even his own wife Emilia. In the end, Iago’s lies and manipulation led to the deaths of Roderigo, Emilia, Othello and Desdemona. This isn’t the first time many of these individual characteristics have shown up in one of Shakespeare’s plays.
Following Iago’s accusations, Othello becomes extremely resentful and abusive towards Desdemona. As with any relationship, there cannot be growth if one partner is enslaved or owned by another in professional setting. Perhaps the biggest matter within “Othello” is the subject of infidelity in marriage. As stated above, the prospect of his wife’s betrayal is detrimental to the wellbeing of himself, his wife, and several other individuals in the story. Despite being innocent, Desdemona was accused of sleeping with another man by Othello. She is repeatedly referred to as a harlot and/ whore, despite denying being unfaithful towards her husband. It is important to point out that Othello interrogates Desdemona though means of biblical doctrine. This is relevant because it highlights overall mentality towards those who commit infidelity during that time period. After being convinced of Desdemona’s guilt, Othello’s first instinct is killing her, thus further alluding that such a deed is looked upon as a sinful act. He also asks her if she needs to seek repentance for any deeds done before dying. The alleged act of infidelity was the biggest factor that effected the marriage between Othello and Desdemona because it threatened the fundamentals of trust between the
The role of jealousy, love and betrayal play a major role in The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice. The entire play is based on the human interactions of the characters as related to Othello and Desdemona. The characters’ personalities, their social status, and their relationships to each other control the story line and their fate in the play. Othello is portrayed early in the play as an outsider with animalistic characteristics by Iago and Roderigo because of jealousy. “Your heart is burst; and have lost half of your soul/Even now, now, very now, an old black ram/Is tupping your white ewe”.(531) Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, accuses Othello of using witch craft on his daughter. “If she in chains of magic were not bound/ Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy/ So opposite to marriage that she shunned…” (535) This point is important because Othello must defend himself not only to Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, but to the entire Venetian Senate. “And till she come, as truly as to heaven,/ I do confess the vices of my blood./ So justly to your grave ears I’ll present/ How I did thrive in this fair lady’s love, / And she in mine.” (539) Othello proves himself to be an intellectual hero early in the play. He has worked hard to gain respectability and power, but because he has a different background, is from another country, is dark-skinned and is older than Desdemona, he becomes jealous very quickly of Cassio. Cassio is from the same social class, is compatible with Desdemona and is a young handsome man. Iago has also convinced Cassio to seek favor with Desdemo...