The Corruption Of Iago's Power In Othello

In Shakespeare’s play Othello, the author depicts Iago as an all knowing character that knows the human nature of the characters and uses it to gain power. Once he gets the characters to Cyprus, he can use his power to manipulate them and tempt them into making irrational decisions, causing their fall. Even though Iago causes their downfalls, he fails to see his own coming.

Iago manipulates Cassio into thinking they are friends and Cassio could trust him. Iago becomes very jealous because Cassio got the high military position over him. He pressures Cassio into drinking, to the point where Cassio stumbles over drunk. Iago knows that Cassio’s weakness is liquor, so he takes advantage of him. Othello takes away the position from Cassio after his drinking spell which is exactly what Iago had planned for. Cassio becomes upset because he lost his reputation. Iago reassures him that reputation is not very important. “Reputation, reputation, reputation!/ O, I have lost my reputation!/ I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial./ My reputation, Iago, my reputation! (2.3.281-284).”

Although Iago has no solid evidence of Desdemona cheating on him, he automatically believes what Iago tells him. He leads Othello into believing that Cassio slept with Desdemona, and also had her handkerchief that Othello gave her for their anniversary. Emilia takes the handkerchief from Desdemona’s chamber and gives it to Iago. He gives it to Cassio, creating a perfect scene for himself. He tells Othello that he saw Cassio wipe his beard with the handkerchief, which makes him upset with him and Desdemona. (insert quote about the handkerchief) He also gets Othello to believe that Cassio was talking about Desdemona in his sleep, which he made up. Othello is gullible, believing what Iago tells him. This leads him to murder his wife and order the death of