Manipulation in Othello

Allyssa Althaus
Mrs. Wittman
F Period
2/4/13
Deathly Manipulation There is no doubt that Iago is the most manipulative person in this drama, Othello. He even said so himself; "I am not what I am" (1.1.71) Iago only causes chaos and pain throughout the drama, and finds everyone’s weaknesses only to use it against them as seen through Cassio, Roderigo, and Othello. 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. Roderigo is a Venetian gentleman that is in love with the wife of Othello, Desdemona. He is willing to do whatever it takes to win her over from the Moor, and Iago automatically notices this. Roderigo, who is blinded by love is completely oblivious to the fact that Iago is manipulating him to get what he wants. "Thou art sure of me. Go make money. I have told thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, I hate the Moor. My cause is hearted: thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him" (1.3.407-409) In this quote, Iago is constantly asking Roderigo to side with him to bring down Othello. He is saying that his cause is truthfully towards helping him win Desdemona. He is also telling Roderigo to literally go out and make money, and he'll have Desdemona for himself. Another quote that shows Iago’s manipulation towards Roderigo is when Roderigo is furious with Iago for not helping him get Desdemona, and is threatening to kill Iago for not helping him get what he wanted the most. He's on to Iago's evil plan, and tries to end it by just killing Iago. But Iago responds in a very smart way. "I grant indeed it hath not appeared; and your suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But, Roderigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed, which I have greater reason to believe now than ever-I mean purpose, courage, and valour-this night show it. If thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery, and devise engines for my life" (4.2.243-250) Iago is saying that Roderigo's suspicion is brave, and now he thinks that he is serious, and will do anything to get what he wants. He later says that if you don't have Desdemona by tomorrow night, you can't plot schemes to end my life. Roderigo is shocked, but believes Iago, and is actually sad, not only because he does not have Desdemona, but has given Iago a lot of goods. Roderigo is now loyal to Iago, and is optimistic that Desdemona will be his by tomorrow night. Iago barely avoids a sticky situation by telling yet another lie, and is seen as a partner by the oblivious Roderigo. Yes, Iago manipulates Cassio and Roderigo, but the most important manipulation is Othello. In the beginning, Othello is a kind, loyal, brave and loving husband and soldier. As the story goes on, his personality and mind changes, and are almost completely opposite compared to when he first met Desdemona. "O, that slave had forty thousand lives! One is too poor, too weak for my revenge" (3.3.502-503) Othello exaggerates by comparing to Cassio as a slave and saying he has forty thousand lives. As Othello becomes jealous, he trusts Iago a lot and plans to kill Desdemona. Iago changed Othello's mind into thinking that Desdemona betrayed him and Othello starts to hate everyone. "In sleep I heard him say: 'Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves'; And then sir, would he gripe and wring my hand, Cry 'O sweet creature!' and then kiss me hard" (3.3.475-478) Iago lies to Othello by making up a story about how Cassio slept talked about Desdemona. Othello becomes worried, and Iago is trying to make it seem like it was nothing by saying it was just a dream. This leaves Othello thinking that Iago is just trying to help Othello, and he’s not trying to cause trouble. These are the techniques of a great manipulator who fools everyone because of his selfish urge to get revenge.
Othello is a story about love, loyalty, and of course, manipulation. When Othello promotes Cassio instead of Iago, Iago starts to hate Othello. Through this hatred, Iago creates a plan to get revenge on Othello. Iago uses his ways to bring Roderigo, who is blinded by his love for Desdemona, Cassio, and even Othello into his evil plan. Let’s face it. Iago is an evil person, a coward, and he is mean. Even though all of those things may be true, there is no denying that Iago's plan was genius. He showed that he could take even the best of men, and manipulate them into anyone that he wanted them to be.