Hearing only what you want to hear can have deadly outcomes. Shakespeare demonstrated Illusion and reality is a common theme within his play Othello. Many of the characters struggled to differentiate between the two topics. The characters made the mistake of strictly hearing what they wanted to hear. Typically, we don’t take the time to provide ourselves with actual evidence but instead make assumptions that aren’t always correct, much like the characters in this play. During the play Othello, Shakespeare suggested that we as a society tend to jump to negative conclusions about one another purely based on judgemental thoughts or rumours, Iago used multiple characters to get an outcome he wanted and used illusion and reality to turn people into …show more content…
While talking to Montano, Iago told him “You see this fellow that is gone before?/ I fear the trust Othello puts in him” (2.3.125-30). Iago was doing everything in his power to ruin Cassio’s newly appointed career. The illusions he was putting into the characters’ minds were utter lies. After Cassio was the hated man, Othello was praising Iago’s lies and retelling them to Emilia. Othello said that Iago was the first person that told him what a terrible filthy man Cassio is, and that Iago is just such an honest man (5.2.179-82). Iago had Othello’s mind so messed up that he committed murder based on Iago’s lies. Not only was Iago constantly bashing Cassio, but in reverse roles Cassio was complimenting Iago. Cassio said “I humbly thank you for ‘t. I never/ knew/ a Florentine more kind and honest” (3.1.45). While Iago was talking badly about Cassio behind his back, Cassio was praising Iago behind his. Cassio fell under the illusion that Iago was indeed …show more content…
Shakespeare was trying to warn us that sometimes what we see and hear isn’t always the truth. In our world today we see this amongst politicians. For example this past election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump was full of illusion and reality. Both of these politicians provided plenty of illusions of why we shouldn’t vote for the other person but not much evidence on why we should vote for them. We as a society are too quick to assume the worst in people and that one day will be our
honest man to deceive Othello and other characters in the play. The perception of the public
One way Iago uses others importance of reputation to destroy them is in the case of Cassio. Early on in the story, Othello, who is a Moorish general in the Venetian army has an opening for a second in command. Although Iago wants this position desperately, Cassio is chosen. When the opportunity arises for Iago to avenge this, he does. Iago convinces Cassio , known as a responsible, loyal and trustworthy man to abandon his night watch and go out drinking. He eventually gets into a fight with another lieutenant and is discovered by Othello. When asked to explain the situation, Iago lies and tells Othello that Cassio behaves like this all of the time.
This shows us that Iago views Cassio as being inexperienced for the job as lieutenant. Iago presents himself as the experienced, reliable solider who has been passed over for promotion. We can see this when he describes his "worth". This shows us that Iago views himself to be ambitious and feels that Othello has undervalued him. This could be another reason for Iago's actions.
In Othello, Iago uses his fine reputation as an “honest man” and Othello’s insecurities to manipulate him and carry out his master plan of destroying Cassio, Othello, and Desdemona. Iago’s insight towards the other characters’ weaknesses enables him to let them know exactly what they want to hear, which helps him gain their trust. He plays upon the insecurities of others to maneuver them into carrying out the actions he needs done in order to fulfill his own desires. In looking at Othello, we will consider the Othello’s blind acceptance of “the truth” as it is presented to him and find that when we blindly take another’s “truth” and accept it as our own, we merely become tools utilized by the person who gave us that supposed truth and give up the power of being ourselves—we fail to assert a self. Iago is angry because Othello chose Cassio to hold a position which he thinks he deserves, so he seeks revenge by playing upon Othello’s main flaw—his lack of trust—and putting Cassio in a position that would turn Othello against him.
“One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, A fellow almost damned in a fair wife, that never set a squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows, more than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric, where in the togèd consuls can propose as masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election; and I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds Christian and heathen, must be beleed and calmed by debitor and creditor. This counter-caster, he, in good time, must his lieutenant be” Iago, (1.1.21-34). Clearly jealous of the choice of Othello giving Cassio the military job Iago felt most suited for. Throughout the play, Iago’s amorality is seen and shown through his own actions. These actions, though, resemble the characteristics of a psychopath. Managing to fit in with major psychopathic traits, including lack of empathy, pathological lying, conning and manipulative, glib and superficial
Throughout the story, Iago portrays himself as a Satan figure. In many ways, Iago can compare with Satan. Iago, like Satan, has proved himself to be a master of deception. He lies to everyone taking great care to disguise his own thoughts. For example, in Act 1 scene 2, when he is speaking to Othello about his feelings toward Cassio, he uses very strong language, while at the same time, he lies throughout the whole speech faking loyalty to a fellow soldier and all the while implying that he is reluctantly holding back the full truth: "I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth. Than it should do offense to Michael Cassio" (I.ii.21-22). This deception impresses and convinces Othello that his officer is a good and loyal soldier. Iago also succeeds in deceiving Cassio. After Cassio's drunken fight, Iago counsels him to speak to Desdemona about trying to convince Othello to reinstate him as lieutenant, all the while knowing that this will only prove helpful to his plan of having Othello see him with Desdemona. Cassio answers him: "You advise me well . . . Goodnight, honest Iago" (II.iii.332/340). Thus, even Cassio is capable of being deceived by Iago. With all of this deception, it is a wonder that Iago is not Satan himself. He even gives an account to his plan of deception, in a soliloquy, in Act II. In comparing himself with Satan, he says:
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
“I asked her to wear something revealing, so she showed up in a prophet's toga.”(CITE) Jarod Kintz’s words are an example of miscommunication, or failure to comprehend meaning. In this case, it is implied that one person misunderstood the message of another, but incomprehension also applies to problems other than falsely interpreted requests. Incomprehension can occur when people misinterpret another’s words or intentions, or when a person misreads situations or events. The outcome described in Kintz’s quote is unexpected and unintended, but there are instances of incomprehension that have consequences of greater severity. Perhaps a classic tragedy with a high body count falls under these parameters.
most evil characters and he is a character who stands out among all of the
He is perceived as “honest” Iago, but this is a product of his deception. He claims to be motivated by truth and never completely tells a lie; yet, he is committed to telling the truth for his own purposes. Moreover, he is two-faced. His narcissistic side is seen in asides, where he divulges schemes to ruin Othello and Cassio. Beginning to plan their downfall, Iago reveals, “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. Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now: To get his place, and to plume up my will In double knavery.” (1.3.557-62). He purposely misleads people to trust that he is honest out of love for them, but his deeper intent is to bring about their destruction and his
The situation above leaves an opening for Iago to fulfill his vital plan to bring down Othello through Desdemona. Cassio was a mental wreck and told Iago that his reputation was ruined. Iago told him that he can get his rank back through Desdemona and get back on Othello's good side. "Confess yourself freely to her, importune her help to put you in your place again (p. 54)." Once Cassio talks to Desdemona, Iago will speak with Othello and get him to think of his wife's trust. In Act three Scene three Iago is speaking to Othello and warns him to look out for Cassio and Desdemona. Othello asks Iago if it was just Cassio that left from speaking with his wife.
Othello has had Iago as his ensign for many years. They have gone to battle many times over. In war, every little thing can affect the outcome, everything is vital information. During this time, Othello, when he was upset or unsure of what to do, has learned to trust and listen to Iago’s insights about strategy and war. Othello shows that his trust in Iago extends beyond the battlefield when he asks Iago to take care of his wife during the voyage to Cyprus. It’s this trust that backfires on him. When Othello hears Iago’s off hand remark about Cassio, he trusts that Iago would not have said anything if it wasn’t something to worry about. Then, Iago, knowing how Othello thinks of his character, makes Othello think there is more to his thoughts than he is willing to speak of. Iago knows just what to say and how to articulate it to make Othello think the worst. He even manages to look like a friend who wants to keep...
Iago's plan is to get Cassio drunk and he manages to do so, ' He'll be as full of quarrel and offence, As my young mistress' dog'. As a result a fight broke out between Roderigo and Cassio. Due to all the commotion, Othello tries to eliminate the chaos by asking for the truth. When Othello asks what is happening, Iago answers,' I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth/ Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio' so to appear loyal to the latter character. Iago's indirect insinuations about Cassio get him fired. Nonetheless he still makes Cassio think that he feels sorry for him and that he wants to help hi...
The play 'Othello' is an epiphany of the ultimate battle between appearance versus reality in the respect that Iago is the complete opposite from what he appears to be. Everyone involved with him separately thinks that he is doing them favors, when actually he is a backstabbing, conniving person who is the essence of evil and is often referred to as half-man, half-devil. Contrary to Iago, Othello is often referred to as a God-like figure, innocent in every way: trusting and naïve. Unfortunately for Othello, this serves as his eventual downfall helping Iago play Othello like a harp, which results in Desdemona's death. Iago's two-sided face and the other characters' readiness to believe him before thinking twice is the driving force of the play and its plot.
Cassio trust of Iago is what makes Cassio get fooled by Iago so easily. His character is trusting and kind, and Iago uses this to the best of his abilities as seen throughout the play. His anger towards Cassio is what gives him the drive to start the plan and eventually remove Cassio from his role as lieutenant. Cassio has no doubt and automatically assumes responsibility without questioning anything. His trusting character is what Iago uses because of how unsuspecting he is and easy to fool. Together all of these explanations create a perfect combination for Iago to take advantage of, and trick Cassio throughout the