To be knowledgable, influential and charismatic are key features contributing to Power of the Individual. Contrary to the ambitions of Martin Luther King Jr, Iago (Othello) expresses a motiveless malignity which directs his disguised exhibits of power. He may have slight ulterior motives- jealousy for Cassio’s lieutenancy and revenge at Othello’s betrayal- but his want of power is purely selfish; Power of the Individual. Iago weaves an intricate web of lies and influence, convincing Othello that Desdemona is an adulterer, yet separating himself from the accusations cunningly. “The Moor already changes with my poison. Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons Which at the first are scarce found to distaste, But with a little act upon the blood Burn like the mines of sulfur.” He uses metaphor to compare how his accusations work like poison, slowly entering Othello's mind with his mind at ease, until provocation allows it to intoxicate him entirely.…
Cassio does not make up very much of this scene but causes a lot of conflict between the other characters in it. Earlier in the Cassio had lost his job due to striking Montano, who is a gentleman of Cyprus. After Othello fires him Cassio is a mess and is at a desperate stage where his motivation is to get his job back. Iago sees this as an opportunity to get Othello to believe…
| Here we see just how manipulative and scheming Iago truly is. Iago knows that Cassio is an angry drunk, thus will likely get into a brawl, and this is exactly why Iago plans to get Cassio drunk, despite Cassio refusing multiple times. Iago wants Cassio to get on the bad side of Othello, because he knows that Desdemona will intervene, and help Cassio. Iago has already planted a seed of doubt in Othello’s mind about Desdemona being unfaithful, and he knows that when Desdemona stands up for Cassio, that it will just add to Othello’s jealousy and suspicion.…
Now my fellow students, let us now look to how Shakespeare represents the corruption of the individual. Shakespeare does this through contrasting the dialogue of Othello. When we first meet Othello, he is presented as a eloquent and a beautiful speaker, in his first lines of dialogue he says "... I love that gentle Desdemona" "gentle Desdemona" denotes through description his tender and intense affection for her and he also says "Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them" this descriptive and flowing language is contrasted to Othello language; after Iago and Othello have made their pact to murder Cassio and Desdemona based off their jealousies'. At this point the dialogue changes to diabolical language "Let her rot and perish... for she shall not live" "rot and perish" denotes his hatred of Desdemona. And the expletive "Devil!" is repeatedly used. This contrast of language from the eloquent…
Iago stands a typical Machiavellian antagonist of Shakespeare’s, however his motives for revenge are distinctly complex, with the line of envy and justified hatred indistinguishably blurred. His cunning scenarios and therefore his motives for such, stem from wounded pride in relation to Cassio’s promotion over his own, “One Michael Cassio… That never set a squadron in the field”, underlying suspicion over Othello and wife Emilia’s relationship “Till I am evened with him wife for wife”, and personal injustice, “Preferment goes by letter and affection”, expressing his disgust towards Othello’s favoritism of Cassio. Iago’s motivation for revenge upon Othello and Cassio is spurred by an egotistical and superior attitude; “Heaven is my judge” suggesting that he believes only God, a power recognized as the highest judgmental authority is worthy of judging his unjust actions. This superior attitude eventually contributes to his demise.…
Iago’s use of reverse psychology to manipulate others. On the surface, he appears to be a loyal and worthy friend, but his wording and tone always imply the opposite of what he says. When Othello asks whether it was Cassio that was talking with his wife, Iago responds, “Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it That he would steal away so guilty like, Seeing your coming” (III.iii.41-43). Superficially, he says that Cassio is honest and good while actually insinuating that he is acting guiltily. He seems to be thinking that cassio is honest, but in reality the remark is intended to instill doubt in Othello, which he succeeds in doing.…
On November 20th, Michael Cassio, the lieutenant of General Othello, was dismissed from his position after he was rumoured to have stabbed Governor Montano in a drunken rage during a feast to celebrate their victory over the Turkish army.…
One of the most repeated sins in Othello is wrath which in Iago’s case goes well do to his revenge on Othello. Iago’s wrath goes but it doesn’t justify his actions. Iago doesn’t think thqt Cassio experience in field doesn’t compared to his. Iago doesn’t think Cassio deserves to be lieutenant. Iago expresses the anger he feels towards Othello’s choice for Cassio over himself for lieutenant in his soliloquies, comparing his hatred to “hell-pains”. This is a biblical illusion that can compare Iago to Satan, also known as the accuser and the illustration of the sin wrath. Satan tempts humans to sin or commit evil deeds; Iago does the same by challenging Othello’s faith in Desdemona and later accuses Othello of sleeping with his wife Emilia, without any concrete evidence. Iago is now looking for an excuse to get even with Othello, and instead of an eye for eye it is “wife for wife”. So in retaliation for the wrath he feels, Iago taints Othello’s image of Desdemona’s purity to reflect that of a “strumpet”, to ruin their relationship.…
However, he has no real feelings for her. When Gertrude is about to drink from the poisoned cup, Claudius warns her with a tepid “Gertrude, do not drink (Hamlet 5.2.291).” Maurice Charney calls Iago a master of a withering and dismissive contempt (Charney, 256). Even as he is setting up Roderigo to kill Cassio, he refers contemptuously about Roderigo saying, “I have rubbed this young quat almost to the sense (Othello 5.1.11)”, calling Roderigo by a derogatory term meaning boil or pimple. In fact, Iago would be just as happy if Cassio kills Roderigo as he says “Now, whether he kill Cassio, or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, every way makes my game (Othello 5.1.12).” He wins either way. Villains are also inevitably forces of decay and instability. Whenever a villain practices his craft, chaos immediately follows (Geitzen, 3). As a result of the scheming of Iago, Desdemona and Emilia are murdered, Roderigo is murdered indirectly by retribution, and Othello and Barbantion have committed suicide. Cassio only survives because the attempt on his life is unsuccessful. Villains can never build up order, never create, but may only…
The envy and hatred he felt was one that could be related to that of a devil for being such evilness. Cassio, the weapon to come between Othello and Desdemona, became also a victim of Iago’s schemes while being so young and innocent. The mechanics which Iago used to show his envy and hatred toward Othello went farther than would be expected. Despite the fact that he saw that Othello grew furious and very jealous when he heard that Cassio and Desdemona were having an affair, and that he wanted to kill Cassio, it did not occur to Iago to take a step back and analyze what he was doing and how it can affect others including causing the death of innocent Cassio who trusted in him. Eventually, in turn, it ended up causing the tragic death of three innocent people including his wife Emilia, Othello and…
Cassio, a respectable young man who is chosen as Othello's lieutenant at the start of the story, is greatly envied by Iago for his position. After the battle against the Turks, Iago thinks of a brilliant plan to ruin Othello. In order to accomplish this, he wants to destroy the image of Othello's most trustworthy man, Cassio. This way, Iago feels like he will not only be one step closer to ruining Othello, but another step closer to serving as a replacement as Othello’s lieutenant. “Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment.” (2.3.34-37) Here, we find out that Cassio’s weakness is alcohol. Iago definitely uses this to his advantage by giving Cassio more and more alcohol to the point where he would do something to risk his lieutenancy. "If I can fasten but one cup upon him, with that which he hath drunk tonight, already, he'll be as full of quarrel and offence as my young mistress' dog. Now my sick fool Roderigo" (2.3.49-53) He is saying how if he can force him to another drink, he'll be as drunk as he needs him to be to make a scene. Iago knows that Cassio enjoys the pleasure of alcohol, so he persuades him into having another drink. Cassio eventually gives in after Iago convinces him that the occasion is necessary since they've defeated the Turks in battle. The following quote addresses that.…
Cassio, a lieutenant appointed by Othello, the General of Venice, is a worthy and diligent man, although Iago, a secret villain, believes otherwise. Iago feels he is more deserving of this position and Othello should of chosen him instead. Although, indeed demonstrates Othello’s knowledgeable judgment. For this reason Iago misleads Cassio into unknowingly discredit himself, “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!” (Act 2, Scene 3). Iago talks Cassio into drinking more wine than he can handle, which then starts a foolish brawl against Montano, governor of Cyprus. Othello sees Cassio’s conduct as unbecoming of a lieutenant, and strips him from his rank entirely. Cassio’s trust in Iago steers Othello into doubting his judgment and firing Cassio.…
Iago wanted Cassio to drink more wine because he wanted Cassio to be drunk and argumentative when later that night. Iago told Montano, the mayor of Cyprus, that Cassio was drunk every night casting doubt on Othello's judgment for appointing Cassio, by implying that Cassio may be drunk during battle. This led to Othello to believe that Cassio is irresponsible and dishonorable, and as a result stripped Cassio of his position. Later on, when Othello is convinced that Desdemona is having an affair, he acts irrationally and violently towards Desdemona in front of Lodovico, a Venetian noble, who questions if the person he just saw is the honorable and respectful Othello he has come to know.…
Senior year has been immensely stressful; I find myself overwhelmed with work without understanding why I persevere through it.Taking the time to think, I concluded that my efforts revolve around my drive to give back what I’ve received from others; this is exemplified in my education, volunteer experience, and daily actions.…
In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the characters’ personalities and motivations influence the plot heavily. Iago is driven by his jealousy of Cassio and his desire to exact revenge on Othello. Othello’s trusting nature leads to his undoing in the play. Iago takes advantage of how he’s seen in the eyes of those around him to carry out his plans. Although Othello is the protagonist of the play and Iago is the antagonist, the two characters are not the ultimate portrayals of good and evil. Othello is not a war between good and evil, but instead a demonstration on how destructive jealousy and gullibleness can be.…