In Othello by William Shakespeare, each character has a personal motive that causes them to deceive each other. First, Desdemona elopes and marries Othello, a North African Moor, without telling her father Brabantio. Next, Brabantio refuses to believe that Desdemona could have run away with Othello so he tells himself that magic must have played a role in her betrayal. Finally, Iago deceives multiple people throughout Act 1 beginning with enraging Brabantio and ending with planning to share a false rumor about Cassio with Othello. Deception and dishonesty are inevitable, and sometimes can occur by accident. However, most of the time, people lie to and deceive others in order to benefit themselves or protect others from getting hurt. Brabantio …show more content…
He begins by enraging Brabantio and making him really angry about the possibility of a relationship between Desdemona and Othello. Iago tells Brabantio that he will “have [his] nephews neigh to [him]” (57). This implies that Othello and Desdemona are having sexual relations at the moment and is used to scare Brabantio into questioning his trust in Desdemona. Continuing with this, Iago says that “even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe” (55). These statements push Brabantio over the edge and end up with him losing faith in Desdemona and checking to see if she is home. Similarly, Iago plays Roderigo throughout all of Act 1. He pretends that Roderigo is his sidekick and they will benefit from all of this together when really, he just wants Roderigo’s money and assistance. When speaking to himself, Iago states, “Thus do I ever make the fool my purse” (105). Because Roderigo is so gullible in the play, Iago has no trouble using him for his money and his societal position. Once Iago no longer needs Roderigo, he will throw him away and never speak to him again. Iago desires Othello’s lieutenant position, so everything he does is part of a plan to gain this job. By hurting Othello and possibly getting him put into jail, he believes that he will move up in the soldier structure and get his desired position. Overall, Iago is the most dishonest and deceitful of all the characters because his motives for every action he completes are
The amount of control and power Iago has over other characters is exceptional. Iago enforces his loyalty and honesty by self-proclamation “But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music, as honest as I am.”(II.i.197-198). Othello, the character who Iago seeks to destroy, completely trusts Iago. Othello admits his trust when he says: “My life upon her faith! Honest Iago” (I.iii.289). Iago is aware of the trust that Othello has in Iago when Iago says: “The Moor is of a free and open nature / that thinks men honest that but seem so; and will be tenderly led by th’ nose / as asses are” (I.iii.390-394). When Iago says “that thinks men honest that but seem so;” means Othello believes Iago to be honest, when he is anything but honest. Because Othello believes Iago to be honest, that makes it easier to lead Othello on when Iago says “ and will be tenderly led by th’ nose / as asses are”. Iago calls Othello an ass who Iago will lead to his own desolation. Iago’s ability in being mendacious is best represented by his continual inveigle of Rodrigo: “thus do I ever make the fool my purse / For I mine own gained knowledge should profane / If I would time expend with such a snipe / But for my sport and profit.” (I.iii.374-377). Meaning Iago would never acquaint himself with Roderigo under normal circumstances. Iago is “friends” with Roderigo because he is rich and fun, being the idiot he is: ‘for my sport and profit”. Iago cleverly
	The first scene of Act I illustrates Iago's use of manipulation. Iago knows that Roderigo is upset about losing Desdemona to Othello. Iago himself is angry at Othello for being passed over for promotion to lieutenant for Michael Cassio. Realizing that by playing on Roderigo's jealousy he can gain an ally to work against Othello. Iago does this in a subtle manner. He explains to Roderigo that he was passed up for promotion by Othello. While doing this he makes Othello look inferior by reinforcing the fact that he is a Moor. By pointing out that Othello is a Moor Iago causes Roderigo to become even more jealous, because of the fact that he lost Desdemona to someone who he feels is of a lesser race. It even seems that Iago is toying with Roderigo when he reveals that he is a fraud when he says, "I am not what I am." (I.i.62) By using these tactics, Iago has almost gained total control of Roderigo.
Actions and events that are happening around a character often contribute to the decisions that they make. Desdemona tries to talk to Othello about giving Cassio his lieutenant position back but she keeps asking " But shall ’t be shortly?" (Shakespeare 3.3.56) and badgering Othello. This causes Othello to become exasperated with her and need some time alone. Desdemona is increasing Othello's suspicion that she is cheating on him by talking to Cassio and only talking about Cassio. Othello is most certainly not going to give Cassio his position back because he think Cassio is untrustworthy and a cheater. In The Other Wes Moore, Tony's actions contributed to many of the other Wes Moore's actions and decisions. One of the first actions Tony had
All humans wear a mask of some kind; whether it is a false representation varies from person to person. This reality is revealed in poetic fashion in the piece “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar; the short story “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and the play Othello by William Shakespeare. While all in different genre’s, they all contain the similarity of deception and creating a mask for the rest of the world to see in order to hide their true self. In the story “Young Goodman Brown”, Goodman Brown experiences everyone around him wearing the mask of Christianity and holiness, and he therefore loses his own faith. In the Shakespearian play Othello, the antagonist, Iago, deceives the Othello by maintaining a mask of honesty
Iago Is a sneaky deceiving character he portrays people and have people to believe him and be on his side. Iago uses Roderigo to seek revenge on Othello. Iago uses Roderigo by making a pln to go to Desdemona's father and telling him his daughters missing. Iago pretends to be with othello as They meek Brabantio Desdemona's dad not knowing Iago set him up.I personally wouldn't trust Iago. Iago's plan worked as the father of Desdemona sends Othello to a military.In Iago's eyes I think he see's Desdemona and Othello relationship pretty much
When Iago realizes that everybody believes him to be “Honest Iago”, back to when Iago talks about corrupting Brabantio’s mind he states “Call up her father; Rouse him. Make after him, poison his delight…plague him with flies so that he changes vexation and his joy loses colour” (1.1.74-80). With Iago already poisoning his view, Iago realizes that Brabantio is a racist as all white men in Venice were, and that he has a fear of outsiders. Iago, knowing of Othello eloping with his daughter says “the devil will make a grandshire of you” because he let Othello corrupt his daughter. Brabantio subconsciously realizing Othello’s reputation believes this to be true. When Iago is then manipulating Rodrigo, “Honest Iago’s” true ideas and identity is released, showing that he enjoys playing God. “Thou art sure of me. Go, make money. I have told thee often, and I re-tell thee again, I hate the Moor. My cause is hearted; thine has no less reason” (1.3.357-360) Iago’s hatred is deep and passionate, with a clear motive that he wishes to destroy the Moor. Part of the reason Iago is such a master manipulator is that he has the ability to persuade based solely on reputation. His usage of manipulative techniques and language is just a bonus. With Rodrigo wrapped around his finger, funding other devious schemes. Iago’s reputation is cemented all around
Iago‟s Strategic Acts of Character Manipulation W.H. Auden once said, "There is more than meets the eye", suggesting that there may be a hidden or deeper meaning behind a person 's initial appearance. Lies and deceits are common in society, and many individuals mask their true intentions with a veneer. In Shakespeare 's play Othello, the character Iago is no different from those deceptive individuals. Behind his façade as a trustworthy ensign and friend, Iago is a multilayered, deceptive and manipulative villain, concocting chaos and causing mishaps toother characters for revenge. Iago uses his deft and astute strategic acts of manipulation to undermine each character‟s weaknesses. He exploits Roderigo‟s love for Desdemona, cajolesCassio under
First, his trust with Othello, which is already a strong bond after fighting with him for 8 years, builds when he tells Othello what happened between Cassio and Montano: as Othello notes that “Iago is most honest.” After this, Othello is obligated to trust Iago when he alerts him of the possible affair with Desdemona and Cassio, asking him, “Is ‘t possible my lord?” He also gains trust with Cassio after he got him drunk. Iago gives him good advice to speak with Desdemona, who would speak highly of him to Othello. He tells Cassio to “confess yourself freely to her, importune her help to put you in your place again.” However, Iago plans to use this against Cassio to give the appearance of an affair. Roderigo is the last victim of Iago’s deceit. Although Iago pledges to help Roderigo get noticed by Desdemona, he simply steals the valuable jewelry, and Desdemona gets nothing. Eventually, Iago persuades Roderigo to kill Cassio with very little evidence as Roderigo states that he “has no great devotion to the deed; and yet he hath given me satisfying reason.” The credibility Iago built with each of the characters had the intent to destroy for revenge. Although Iago seems to be doing the best for his friends, he is double sided and intends to
After convincing Roderigo to sell his land, Iago remarks “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse”” (I.iii.365), saying he plans to manipulate Roderigo. Roderigo stays loyal to Iago, as Iago promised he could sleep with Desdemona. Iago uses Roderigo’s sexual desire to get money and favors out of Roderigo time after time. Roderigo eventually catches on to the lies, realizing “I have wasted myself out of my means” (IIII.ii.183-184), and threatens murder, before Iago manipulates him out of doing so. Finally Iago pulls off the ultimate manipulation with Roderigo as he positions him to kill Cassio, but in the end it is Iago who kills Roderigo. Othello approves of the killing, as Othello conspired with Iago for the murder after Iago had manipulated the moor time after
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
Othello is a story of trust, and tragedy. A story of love, and loss. Who caused the aforementioned tragedy, and loss? Why, ‘honest’ Iago, of course. Iago is begrudgingly an ensign in the Venetian military, Under the command of The moor, Othello. Iago loathes the moor, for he chose Michael Cassio, a far younger, and less experienced man to be his lieutenant. Iago vows revenge on Othello, and swears to ruin his life. Now, Iago’s need for power is what drives him to do the awful things he does to Othello, Cassio, and all the others around him.
One of the most prominent traits in Iago is his ability to manipulate. His entire plan of bringing about the downfall of Othello involves him manipulating characters into believing what he wants them to believe. In fact, he is so good at manipulating people that no one even suspects him of doing anything wrong because they believe he is such an honorable man. “Iago deceives Othello by also manipulating other people to achieve his ends” (Boyce). This shows that Iago is able to deceive mostly everyone in the play. However, Iago himself says in Act I scene i line 62 of Othello “I am not what I am.” He means that he is not the loyal, honest friend that he appears to be to everyone else. His manipulations include using Roderigo for his money if he helps him against Othello while making it seem like he will help Roderigo win Othello’s wife, Desdemona (Shakespeare). He also manipulates Othello by making it seem as if Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair, which is what ultimately brings about the hero’s downfa...
Iago is a very duplicitous person. He is a villain and is Othello’s ancient. Iago seems to be everyone’s friend but all he really wants is to hurt and destroy the lives of people. Iago uses both Cassio and Roderigo to help him destroy Othello. From the very beginning Iago dislikes Othello because he gave Cassio the job as a lieutenant instead of him. In Act 1 scene 1 lines 10-27 just states how he dislikes Othello because of what he did. Since Roderigo also dislikes Othello because he had eloped with Desdemona his lover, Iago will use Roderigo to help him get back at Othello. Iago wants to notify Brabantio who is Desdemona’s father of what his daughter has done and he as asked Roderigo to help him. Iago says " Call up her father. Rouse him, make after him, poison his delight, proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen, and though he in a fertile climate dwell, plaque him with flies. Though that his joy be joy, yet throw such changes of vexation on ‘t as it may lose color. (Act 1 scene 1 lines 61-75) Iago is using Roderigo hatred towards Othello to help him notify Brabantio of what is going on between his daughter and Othello, thus causing him to be upset and doing something to Othello. Another thing Iago does to Roderigo is make it seem like he was the only one who told Brabantio about what is going on so Iago wouldn’t get in trouble but Roderigo will.
Shakespeare’s Othello portrays a process through which pure evil has an effect on love and morality. The character of Iago twists Othello into killing his wife, and eventually himself, through manipulating Othello’s trust and loyalty. Iago uses the handkerchief as a symbol through which Othello is convinced of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness. This handkerchief plays many roles throughout Othello. Because of the importance placed upon this object, the driving force of the play becomes centered on the particular qualities of this handkerchief. In its most important aspect, the handkerchief becomes associated with a kind of web set by Iago, in order to ensnare both Othello and Desdemona.
In the opening scene of Othello, Iago is pretending to be a friend to Roderigo. Roderigo has been giving Iago money because Iago has been leading him to believe that he will eventually be able to obtain Desdemona with his help. At the end of Act 1, scene 3 Iago says to himself, “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse. / For I mine own gained knowledge should profane / If I would time expend with such a snipe / But for my sport and profit.” This soliloquy shows the reader that Iago’s motivation for helping Roderigo obtain Desdemona is greed. Even this early in the play, the reader understands that Iago is a deceptive an...