How Is Iago's Use Of Manipulation In Othello

Manipulation is a very powerful tactic individuals use frequently in society, to achieve what they desire in life, masking their true intentions with a veneer. By deceiving those around into seeing a certain point of view, we are able to gain power. To skillfully use the power of manipulation, one must use another person’s weakness, through thought and action. By using a person’s emotions against themselves, one is able to be manipulated with ease. The play Othello, written by William Shakespeare, is a dramatic play that depicts the various possibilities of evil and its link to pure sadism. Analyzing the role and description of the characters in the play provides insight towards the motivation, which drives people to act at their most extremes. An illusion of this case is seen through the antagonist of the play, Iago. Behind his mask as a trustworthy symbol and friend, Iago is a multilayered, deceptive and manipulative villain, causing disaster to other characters for revenge. He uses his clever and strategic acts of manipulation of each character’s weakness to turn against themselves. Iago exploits Roderigo’s love for Desdemona by using innocence, seduces Cassio under the appearance of a trustful friendship, and toys with Othello’s mind by playing on his self-doubt. Through the use of Iago’s advice, manipulative words and enjoyment of his orchestrated pain, we are able to see how one character is able to destroy the people who trust him most.
This obsession causes him to unquestionably believe anything Iago says in hopes of winning Desdemona. Initially, Iago fools Roderigo if his fortune. He convinces him that gold and jewels will be given to Desdemona as a proclamation of his love, when in reality, Iago plans to keep it all for himself. Iago states: “Thus do I ever make my purse” (I, iii,