Iago's Decisions In The Play Othello By William Shakespeare
What you don’t know doesn’t hurt you. Throughout the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago will take steps to poison Othello’s mind against Desdemona and Cassio. Iago will start off by getting Cassio drunk and getting him fired for stabbing Montano. Then, he tells Cassio to get Othello’s trust back he will need to talk to Desdemona about what has happened so she can talk to Othello about accepting him back. Conveniently, Iago will lead Othello over to where Cassio and Desdemona are talking, so Othello will have no choice but to be suspicious of Cassio. He then proceeds to tell Othello to watch his wife closely and to observe her with Cassio. The icing on the cake for Othello is when he hears about Cassio having the handkerchief and about
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his dream. Othello starts being very rude to Desdemona and it upsets her. When Iago finds out Desdemona is upset he acts clueless to why she might feel this way, but says he’ll go find out what’s wrong. Iago finds Othello and they talk about Cassio, Othello says how he is out for blood. Othello hides when Cassio enters and Iago starts talking talking to him about his “girlfriend”. Iago knows Cassio thinks she’s a joke so when they are laughing about her Othello assumes it’s about Desdemona. Othello wants Cassio dead so Iago convinces Roderigo to fight for “his girl”. Rodrigo cannot get the job done and Iago stabs Cassio in the leg. Othello enters and becomes inspired to go kill Desdemona To no one’s surprise, Iago, being the master manipulator he is, has come up with a devious plan to make Cassio seem untrustworthy to Othello. He gets Cassio, Montano and the Gentlemen drunk and says to himself, “Now ‘mongst this flock of drunkards am I [to put] our Cassio in some action that may offend the isle”(2.3.59). He ends up getting them very drunk and gets them all talking to each other. Cassio and the others leave to go on watch while Montano and Iago stay behind and talk. When Rodrigo enters and Iago tells him to go follow Cassio. Moments later there is a cry from offstage saying, “Help! Help!(2.3.142)” Cassio enters, starts shouting at Rodrigo and strikes him. Montano tries to tries to restrain Cassio, but instead ends up fighting with him and in the meantime Montano gets stabbed. The bell gets rung and Othello shows up and asks what’s going on. Iago pretends to not understand why any of this would have happened and Montano is not able to talk. Othello feels no choice but to fire Cassio from being his officer. After this mess has happened Cassio feels like he has ruined his reputation and is talking to Iago about it and he says, “Reputation, reputation, reputation, reputation! Oh, I have lost my reputation!(2.3.262).” Iago comes up with the plan to have Cassio talk to Othello’s “General” , Desdemona, and explain to her the situation. Since she is so generous they think she can help restore Cassio’s rank. Cassio is with Desdemona in the Castle garden telling her what has happened asking her for her help and Desdemona replies with, “Be thou assur’d, good Cassio, I will do all my abilities in thy behalf”’(3.2.1). Desdemona is promising she will do whatever she can to help Cassio. Iago and Othello conveniently enter a little way off from them and happens to Emelia spot them, Cassio feels uncomfortable around Othello so he leaves. What Cassio and Desdemona don’t know is that Iago and Cassio have been observing their conversation the whole time. Watching as Cassio leaves Iago pretends to be unaware he is speaking out loud saying, “ Hah, I like not that”(3.3.34). He says it knowing it will make Othello suspicious and it will get some questions out of him because he is a little concerned. After a series of questions from Othello wanting to know why Iago would ever say something like that Iago finally speaks out, “Look at your wife, observe her well with Cassio, wear your eyes thus, not jealious nor secure”(3.3.196). What Iago is trying to do is tell Othello to be observe the two together but not be jealous about it and not let it affect you. Iago knows by saying this it will play with Othello’s head to turn him against Cassio, and to think Desdemona might be unfaithful to him. He also says, “... you shall by that perceive him and his means. Note if your lady strain his entertainment with any strong or vehement importunity;”(3.3.249). What he’s saying is that Othello needs to observe Cassio and his intentions, also that if Desdemona tries to convince him to reinstate Cassio it will reveal much. Iago’s master plan is working because now that Othello caught Cassio talking to Desdemona and Desdemona is going to come talk to Othello about Cassio, Othello’s doesn’t even know what’s yet to come and is already feeling the effects of Iago’s “poison”.
Othello is really feeling the poison in fact he even says that he would have rather not known then to be betrayed and he wants some solid proof of it.
Iago provides some proof, he tells him about the dream Cassio had the other night when Cassio said, “Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves.” He grabbed Iago’s hand and cried out, “O sweet creature!” then kissed him, laid his leg over his thigh, sighed, kissed, and then said, “Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!(3.3.419-426)” Iago pretends to reassure Othello saying, “ Nay, this was but his dream”(3.3.427). Othello doesn’t care because he thinks that it represented something that already happened. He is now become very angry with Desdemona saying he will tear her to pieces because he keeps taking in the poison Iago keeps giving to him. Next Iago asks Othello if he’s ever seen a handkerchief with a pattern of strawberries in his wife’s hand, already knowing the answer. Othello replies saying he gave her one like that for his first gift to her, so Iago tells him he saw Cassio wiping his beard with it. For Othello that’s the icing on the cake and he says, “Now do I see ‘tis true. Look here, Iago, All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. ‘Tis gone. Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell! Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne to tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, for ‘tis of aspics’ tongues!(3.3.442-449)” He is done with her now, his love is gone and it has turned to anger. He orders Iago to have Cassio dead within the next three days, and he says he is going to kill Desdemona. When Othello sees Desdemona he seems to different and upset at her and she becomes upset. Iago enters and Desdemona tells him that Othello is not being himself, Iago pretends he doesn’t know why he’s angry but tells them he’ll go talk to him and find out what’s wrong(3.4.138). Othello and Iago are talking and Othello says he’s out for blood, then he hides because Cassio is coming. Iago starts
talking to himself saying that he will ask Cassio about Bianca because when anyone mentions her he can’t stop laughing, when Cassio smiles it will drive Othello mad and he will misinterpret what's happening(3.3.96-99). Othello is watching their conversation from a distance but cannot hear what they’re talking about, he assumes they are talking about Desdemona. He is becoming increasingly angry and says to himself. “Look how he laughs already!(4.1.109)” Othello watches and misinterprets the rest of the conversation that's about Bianca not Desdemona. Next he goes to talk to Desdemona and finally calls her a whore and he leaves. Iago convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio, but when he cannot get the job done Iago stabs Cassio in the leg and leaves. Othello enters and thinks Iago has stabbed Cassio but does not know, he is inspired to go kill Desdemona now. He goes to her bedroom tells her he’s going to kill her because she has sinned, she struggles to get up and he smothers her to death.
Iago is a dirty, manipulative man that poisons Othello’s mind against two close people, Cassio and Desdemona. First Iago gets Cassio fired, then he talks to Desdemona, when Othello sees them and is a little suspicious of him so Iago tells Othello observe her with Cassio. Othello hears of Cassio having the handkerchief and about his dream. Othello starts being very rude to Desdemona and it upsets her. Iago finds Othello and they talk about Cassio, Othello says how he is out for blood. Othello hides and Iago jokes around about Bianca to Cassio, but Othello thinks it’s about Desdemona. Othello wants Cassio dead so Iago has Rodrigo plans to kill Cassio. Rodrigo tries to kill him but Iago ends up stabbing Cassio in the leg instead. Othello is inspired to go kill Desdemona and smothers her in bed because that’s where she “sinned”. Iago completely poisoned Othello, he made him into someone he’s not, he lost a friend and killed the love of his life because of something that one man convinced him was true. Some things are just best left unsaid.
his dream. Othello starts being very rude to Desdemona and it upsets her. When Iago finds out Desdemona is upset he acts clueless to why she might feel this way, but says he’ll go find out what’s wrong. Iago finds Othello and they talk about Cassio, Othello says how he is out for blood. Othello hides when Cassio enters and Iago starts talking talking to him about his “girlfriend”. Iago knows Cassio thinks she’s a joke so when they are laughing about her Othello assumes it’s about Desdemona. Othello wants Cassio dead so Iago convinces Roderigo to fight for “his girl”. Rodrigo cannot get the job done and Iago stabs Cassio in the leg. Othello enters and becomes inspired to go kill Desdemona To no one’s surprise, Iago, being the master manipulator he is, has come up with a devious plan to make Cassio seem untrustworthy to Othello. He gets Cassio, Montano and the Gentlemen drunk and says to himself, “Now ‘mongst this flock of drunkards am I [to put] our Cassio in some action that may offend the isle”(2.3.59). He ends up getting them very drunk and gets them all talking to each other. Cassio and the others leave to go on watch while Montano and Iago stay behind and talk. When Rodrigo enters and Iago tells him to go follow Cassio. Moments later there is a cry from offstage saying, “Help! Help!(2.3.142)” Cassio enters, starts shouting at Rodrigo and strikes him. Montano tries to tries to restrain Cassio, but instead ends up fighting with him and in the meantime Montano gets stabbed. The bell gets rung and Othello shows up and asks what’s going on. Iago pretends to not understand why any of this would have happened and Montano is not able to talk. Othello feels no choice but to fire Cassio from being his officer. After this mess has happened Cassio feels like he has ruined his reputation and is talking to Iago about it and he says, “Reputation, reputation, reputation, reputation! Oh, I have lost my reputation!(2.3.262).” Iago comes up with the plan to have Cassio talk to Othello’s “General” , Desdemona, and explain to her the situation. Since she is so generous they think she can help restore Cassio’s rank. Cassio is with Desdemona in the Castle garden telling her what has happened asking her for her help and Desdemona replies with, “Be thou assur’d, good Cassio, I will do all my abilities in thy behalf”’(3.2.1). Desdemona is promising she will do whatever she can to help Cassio. Iago and Othello conveniently enter a little way off from them and happens to Emelia spot them, Cassio feels uncomfortable around Othello so he leaves. What Cassio and Desdemona don’t know is that Iago and Cassio have been observing their conversation the whole time. Watching as Cassio leaves Iago pretends to be unaware he is speaking out loud saying, “ Hah, I like not that”(3.3.34). He says it knowing it will make Othello suspicious and it will get some questions out of him because he is a little concerned. After a series of questions from Othello wanting to know why Iago would ever say something like that Iago finally speaks out, “Look at your wife, observe her well with Cassio, wear your eyes thus, not jealious nor secure”(3.3.196). What Iago is trying to do is tell Othello to be observe the two together but not be jealous about it and not let it affect you. Iago knows by saying this it will play with Othello’s head to turn him against Cassio, and to think Desdemona might be unfaithful to him. He also says, “... you shall by that perceive him and his means. Note if your lady strain his entertainment with any strong or vehement importunity;”(3.3.249). What he’s saying is that Othello needs to observe Cassio and his intentions, also that if Desdemona tries to convince him to reinstate Cassio it will reveal much. Iago’s master plan is working because now that Othello caught Cassio talking to Desdemona and Desdemona is going to come talk to Othello about Cassio, Othello’s doesn’t even know what’s yet to come and is already feeling the effects of Iago’s “poison”.
Othello is really feeling the poison in fact he even says that he would have rather not known then to be betrayed and he wants some solid proof of it.
Iago provides some proof, he tells him about the dream Cassio had the other night when Cassio said, “Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves.” He grabbed Iago’s hand and cried out, “O sweet creature!” then kissed him, laid his leg over his thigh, sighed, kissed, and then said, “Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!(3.3.419-426)” Iago pretends to reassure Othello saying, “ Nay, this was but his dream”(3.3.427). Othello doesn’t care because he thinks that it represented something that already happened. He is now become very angry with Desdemona saying he will tear her to pieces because he keeps taking in the poison Iago keeps giving to him. Next Iago asks Othello if he’s ever seen a handkerchief with a pattern of strawberries in his wife’s hand, already knowing the answer. Othello replies saying he gave her one like that for his first gift to her, so Iago tells him he saw Cassio wiping his beard with it. For Othello that’s the icing on the cake and he says, “Now do I see ‘tis true. Look here, Iago, All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. ‘Tis gone. Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell! Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne to tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, for ‘tis of aspics’ tongues!(3.3.442-449)” He is done with her now, his love is gone and it has turned to anger. He orders Iago to have Cassio dead within the next three days, and he says he is going to kill Desdemona. When Othello sees Desdemona he seems to different and upset at her and she becomes upset. Iago enters and Desdemona tells him that Othello is not being himself, Iago pretends he doesn’t know why he’s angry but tells them he’ll go talk to him and find out what’s wrong(3.4.138). Othello and Iago are talking and Othello says he’s out for blood, then he hides because Cassio is coming. Iago starts
talking to himself saying that he will ask Cassio about Bianca because when anyone mentions her he can’t stop laughing, when Cassio smiles it will drive Othello mad and he will misinterpret what's happening(3.3.96-99). Othello is watching their conversation from a distance but cannot hear what they’re talking about, he assumes they are talking about Desdemona. He is becoming increasingly angry and says to himself. “Look how he laughs already!(4.1.109)” Othello watches and misinterprets the rest of the conversation that's about Bianca not Desdemona. Next he goes to talk to Desdemona and finally calls her a whore and he leaves. Iago convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio, but when he cannot get the job done Iago stabs Cassio in the leg and leaves. Othello enters and thinks Iago has stabbed Cassio but does not know, he is inspired to go kill Desdemona now. He goes to her bedroom tells her he’s going to kill her because she has sinned, she struggles to get up and he smothers her to death.
Iago is a dirty, manipulative man that poisons Othello’s mind against two close people, Cassio and Desdemona. First Iago gets Cassio fired, then he talks to Desdemona, when Othello sees them and is a little suspicious of him so Iago tells Othello observe her with Cassio. Othello hears of Cassio having the handkerchief and about his dream. Othello starts being very rude to Desdemona and it upsets her. Iago finds Othello and they talk about Cassio, Othello says how he is out for blood. Othello hides and Iago jokes around about Bianca to Cassio, but Othello thinks it’s about Desdemona. Othello wants Cassio dead so Iago has Rodrigo plans to kill Cassio. Rodrigo tries to kill him but Iago ends up stabbing Cassio in the leg instead. Othello is inspired to go kill Desdemona and smothers her in bed because that’s where she “sinned”. Iago completely poisoned Othello, he made him into someone he’s not, he lost a friend and killed the love of his life because of something that one man convinced him was true. Some things are just best left unsaid.