Iago's Manipulation Essay

William Shakespeare's Othello depicts the misfortune of Othello, the Moor of Venice as he and many others are manipulated by Iago, the antagonist. Othello falls in love and elopes with Desdemona. Fueled by anger, Iago seeks revenge on Othello. With careful planning, Iago successfully tricks him into believing that his dear wife was cheating on him with his friend and lieutenant, Cassio. Along the way, Iago manages to manipulate and use Roderigo, also Othello's friend, in order to succeed in his devious plan. before he manipulates Roderigo, he earns his trust by helping him with his love life and giving him advice. Iago gives Roderigo advice and persuades Roderigo to follow and control his own mind through a metaphor of a garden. He describes the human mind as a garden, which you are able to control and change to your own wanting. In this moment, Iago manages to acquire Roderigo's trust. Little did Roderigo know that it is not himself who is controlling his own mind, but
He says, "why the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills." (. ) In simple terms, one is in control of their own mind. Ironically, Roderigo is blind to the fact that it is Iago that is manipulating and controlling him like a puppet. This sense of dramatic irony emphasizes Iago's ability to trick people by offering insight. He poses as "honest Iago" to lure Roderigo as he will be essential to Iago's plan of revenge and chaos. Without a doubt, Iago is a powerful puppeteer. Ultimately, Iago is a devious character with abhorrent intentions and tactics. He has the ability to misguide and manipulate people by gaining their trust. Cunningly, his intentions were veiled through his metaphor between gardening and free will. Roderigo felt that Iago was giving him honest advice. In reality, Iago was taking advantage of him for his own benefit. Although it may have seem that Iago was helping Roderigo, his real intentions were