How Does Iago Show Honesty

Honesty can be defined as both truthfulness and loyalty. And an honest friend is one who is always there and always tells the truth. In William Shakespeare's Othello, the Moor of Venice, Iago, an ancient, villian, and antagonist, has a reputation for honesty. Known distinctly as "Honest Iago," Iago utilizes his honesty for dishonest purposes. Perhaps "Honest Iago" is best known for his articulation since he is ironic and sarcastic. He mocks other ideas that he considers excessive and not his own, yet portrays himself to be grounded. By asking many questions and appealing to common sense, Iago's wit surpasses all major male characters in this captivating drama. Through the personalities of Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello, Iago precisely locates each man's weakness; love,
alcoholism, and jealousy, using manipulation in order to achieve success.
Roderigo, a gulled gentleman, is the main character susceptible to Iago's villianess plot. During a personal conversation, Iago learns of Roderigo's lustful nature toward Desdemona, Othello's wife. Immediately, Iago discovers Roderigo's weakness, love, and employs a plan, manipulating him to do his bidding. As Roderigo's only friend, Iago promises him that he can have Desdemona, even though she is married and joining Othello on a trip to Cyprus. Iago and Roderigo's toxic friendship is shown when Iago uses Roderigo's money for his own self, and in keeping with the friendship, Iago will never run out. To ensure the beginning of his plan, Iago reassures Roderigo that his job is easy. All he has to do is assume a disguise, go to Cyprus and "Put money in thy purse" (1.3.351-352). In
efforts to instill confidence in Roderigo, Iago tells him of Othello and Desdemona's relationship. He states, "The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts, shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida" meaning that they both are changeable, so although Desdemona is desirable now, Othello will soon find her less (1.3.357-358). This gives hope to Roderigo that he will have a chance with the beautiful Desdemona. Roderigo, in attempts to gain access to his desires, does all of Iago's dirty work, like that of a henchman. By being so gullable, he is persuaded to do the unthinkable, kill a man by the name of Cassio, Iago's competition and rival. Iago states that this action is crucial to everything for "It makes us, or it mars us" (5.1.4). Ultimately, Iago manipulates Roderigo by allowing him to believe he is needed and important for Iago's selfish gains. Just like Roderigo, Cassio also falls prey to Iago's manipulative ways. Cassio, an honourable lieutenant, was chosen by Othello to take said position in his military. Iago, also fighting for the ranking of lieutenant, describes Cassio as less of a man: "A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife / That never set a squadron in the field / Nor the division of a battle knows / More than a spinster" (1.1.21-24). As Iago feels resentful, he explains the promotion was not awarded to him due to Cassio being the beneficiary of favoratism: "'Tis the curse of service / Preferment goes by letter and affection / And not by old gradation, where each second / Stood heir to th' first" (1.1.35-38). Since promotions were given on the basis of seniority, Cassio was viewed as the default option. Iago argues that Cassio's military knowledge is lacking and was learned from books for "As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice / Is all his soldiership / But he, sir, had th' election / And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof" (1.1.26-28). Iago believes he is the more qualified man, and Cassio is undeserving of the promotion, but he is undeserving due to suffering from alcoholism. When Iago discovers this knowledge, he utilizes it as a part of his master plot. His manipulation begins as Cassio stands guard during a ball in the castle held for Othello and Desdemona. Iago encourages Cassio to drink by stating, "Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine; and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello" (2.3.24-26). Cassio refuses, for a stoup of wine, two quarts, is far to much for him to handle and knows that is over his limit. Attempting to continue drinking, Iago sings a drinking song so Cassio will drink and act carelessly: "King Stephen was a worthy peer / His breeches cost him but a crown / He held them sixpence all too dear / With that he called the tailor lown" (2.3.74-77). Cassio is fired due to his drunked escapades when he fights with Roderigo and Montano, the governor of Cyprus. Iago persuades him to halt his drinking by saying, "Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well used" (2.3.285). This is a dynamic part in Iago's plan for Cassio will be in a more hopeful state of mind, resulting in approaching Desdemona to get his job back. In the end, Iago believes a man of responsibility should not hold power when carrying a burden of that magnitude, therefore, Iago uses Cassio's alcohol dependancy as a way to manipulate and gain status. Similarly to that of Cassio, Othello, the Moor, becomes succeptable to Iago's manipulation. After being dismissed for the position of lieutenant, bitter Iago expresses his true feelings for Othello: "We cannot all be masters, nor all masters / Cannot be truly follow'd" for although Iago serves his master, he does so for his own personal advantages and not truly follow Othello (1.1.43-44). Due to Iago's repuatation, "Honest Iago," Othello takes his opinion and word to heart, but Iago does not show Othello his true colors and states, "I will wear my heart upon my sleeve / For daws to peck at: I am not what I am" boastfully exclaiming that Othello does not really know him (1.1.65-66). As Iago reflects on his enemy, Cassio, he organizes the next phase of his plot, to use Cassio's charming and handsome nature to evoke Othello's weakness, jealousy. Othello has bestowed a gift, a handkerchief, to his lovely wife Desdemona. But after a conversation between the couple, Emilia, Iago's wife, comes to find the handkerchief on the floor. Desperately trying to please her husband, she hands it over. Iago fools Othello into believing Desdemona is unfaithful with Cassio by using the handkerchief to confirm his jealousy. Othello is an easy target as Iago states, "Trifles light as air / Are to the jealous confirmations strong / As proofs of holy writ" for it is easy to trick a jealous person (3.3.360-362). Iago has confidence in Cassio's stature since he is the type of man to tempt women to betray their husbands and reflects on his appearance and manners: "To be suspected, fram'd to make women false" (1.3.397). Nonetheless, Othello's downfall and death is a direct result of Iago's manipulation.