Othello Research Paper

Dustin
English 1B
Othello Essay
Final Draft Evil Iago What is the motivation behind Iago’s treachery? From the beginning Iago is up to no good, using Roderigo as a pawn in his plan to go after Othello by waking up Desdemona’s father to warn him of his daughter leaving him, and continuing manipulation throughout the story. He gains everyone’s trust and becomes “honest Iago,” which is really quite the opposite, and uses this to his advantage as he warps Othello’s mind increasing his paranoia over Desdemona. But why does he do all this? I feel his motives are that he thinks he’s smarter and more clever than everyone and always needs to test and prove this to himself, but he is just lucky that those around him are so easily tricked, according to an online essay “Iago’s ability to understand human nature makes him evil because he uses his knowledge of human nature to manipulate others to his advantage. This manipulation is primarily acted out on the good, which are the most gullible to evil.”2 Iago also does all this out of pure hatred and jealousy for Othello, that he appoints Cassio to lieutenant, doesn’t acknowledge Iago until later in the story, and out of jealousy of the Moor being the leader, according Andrea Oberheiden,”His position as Othello’s servant is the premise and fundament on which his character traits can flourish. If Iago had been in a superior position, he would not have been able to lead or advance the actions in Othello the way he does.” 4 This is why he seeks to destroy Othello and will take down anyone in his way and/or to help him reach this goal. “Thou told 'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate.” (I.i.7). The story starts off referring to Iago’s hatred for the moor, straight from Roderigo’s mouth. Iago is pissed because he didn’t get promoted to lieutenant. An online PDF states, “Iago claims in the beginning that he hates Othello, and seeks revenge because Othello didn’t listen to the ‘great ones of the city,’ who suggested that he make Iago his lieutenant.” 5 Pryse states, “As far as Othello is concerned, Iago does not exist.” 10 He strongly believes he deserved the promotion, and according to Iago, he wasn’t the only who thought so:
Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city,
In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,
Offcapp 'd to him; and, by the faith of man,
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. (I.i.8-11)

In his lecture Brown states, “It is necessary to examine in this manner every statement made by Iago.” 7 Of course with Iago being the deceitful one he is, we can’t for sure believe that just because he told Roderigo this that it actually happened, but this early in the story there’s no reason to no not believe him yet. Iago then reveals to Roderigo the short version of his plan. That he’s going to take Othello down. Iago will accept not being lieutenant for now, so he can “… follow him to serve my turn upon him” (I.i.43). Iago reveals his devilish ideas to Roderigo about his plan toward Othello, and Roderigo still continues to trust him, going along with that it’s a good idea to stir things up by going up to Desdemona’s father’s window to wake him and tell him she’s left him. Such luck Iago has that Roderigo is so easily manipulated into doing what Iago wants. Iago would have a tougher time being so evil and plotting against the moor if he didn’t luck out having a love struck idiot as a “friend,” and Iago knows this:
Thus do I ever make my fool my purse;
For I mine own gain 'd knowledge should profane,
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport and profit...(I.iii.393-396)

Iago treats Roderigo as practice for his manipulation, and takes advantage of his lack of wit, convincing him to give him all his money, making him his purse. According to Lohrenson in an online essay, “Iago knew that if he said a few right words, he would be able to make Rodrigo trustworthy of him and he did this by advising Rodrigo to do things that would eliminate those whom Desdemona loved.”3 Iago has control of Roderigo now and can use Roderigo to boost Iago’s own ego in thinking he’s smarter than everyone since Roderigo is so easily tricked and fooled, as Iago said, “for my sport” (I.iii.396), it shows that he’s cocky about it, but really it could just be Iago’s an idiot and anyone could manipulate him, not just Iago, he’s just the only one around sinister enough to do so. So sinister that all this treachery is spun out of hate, “I hate the Moor” (I.iii.396).
So much hate just for not getting a job. That’s some extreme jealousy to plot out someone’s demise over a promotion. In his anger Iago unfolds his entire plan:
How, how? —Let 's see—
After some time, to abuse Othello 's ear
That he is too familiar with his wife.
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
To be suspected; framed to make women false. (I.iii.404-408)
Sure everyone may have thought of taking someone out in a fit of rage at some point in his or her life then you get over it, but this guy is really getting into it. Telling the audience his plan is to fill Othello’s ears with lies about Cassio being with his wife, and that Cassio is smooth enough to make women lie for him. Doesn’t seem like the easiest thing to do, to convince someone his or her lover is cheating in a time before recording technology just doesn’t seem possible without a painter on payroll hiding with a canvas in the closet, and I don’t think Roderigo can afford that. Luckily for Iago “He holds me well” (I.iii.400), referring to being close enough to Othello that his word holds some ground. This gives Iago another advantage over Othello, knowing some of his weaknesses:
The Moor is of a free and open nature,
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so;
And will as tenderly be led by the nose
As asses are (I.iii.409-412).

The Moor is open to ideas and just trust men too much, this will allow his to easily be led around, led around just like a donkey, or an ass, it makes Iago sound more mean anyway. To trick someone who is trusting isn’t something to boast about among hustlers, it’s just easy game, but Iago thinks he’s a mastermind because he can take advantage of the good natured. Iago furthers insight into his actions in a revealing second soliloquy. Iago continues to show that he hates the moor. It’s a weakness that he allows hatred to consume him, and is a driving force behind his actions. It shows him shaping a plan out of the confusion of his emotionally charged thinking. Iago examines his own mentality, especially his hate for Othello, "The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not" (II.i.296), and the "poisonous mineral" (305) of jealousy that’s still around the rumor that Othello “hath leaped into my seat” (304) and Iago claims to believe it’s true and wants Othello to feel worse. Iago also feels that he could get his revenge for that by seducing Desdemona:
Now, I do love her too,
Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure
I stand accountant for as great a sin,
But partly led to diet my revenge (II.i.299-302)

Iago uses the word "love" here in a very cynical way, like he loves her because he loves the revenge he will get on Othello. At first he sees his plan of seduction of Desdemona as revenge, but Iago then realizes that the jealousy that troubles him is the very weapon he can use against Othello. Othello will be even more susceptible because Othello is gullible and almost half-witted when it comes to love and women. He believes that at least the confrontation he has engineered between Roderigo and Cassio will implant the seeds of mistrust and suspicion in Othello as he begins to suspect Desdemona of an affair, and Iago will lead Othello through jealousy to going crazy:
Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me,
For making him egregiously an ass
And practicing upon his peace and quiet
Even to madness. (II.i.316-319) Convinced he’s smarter than anyone, Iago makes his plan to get Cassio fired, and in doing so will be able to get closer to Othello. 123HelpMe says, “Like Roderigo, Cassio also believes in "Honest Iago," for he thinks that Iago is only trying to help him. On the night of Cassio’s watch, Iago convinces him to take another drink, knowing very well that it will make him drunk. Even though he really doesn’t want to… Iago’s plan goes smoothly when Cassio is make to look like an irresponsible fool, resulting in his termination as lieutenant.” 9 Once Cassio is drunk Iago talks shit about him to Montano, saying it’s a shame someone is his condition is the trusted lieutenant. When getting in squabble with Roderigo causing a scene, Montano then steps in telling Cassio to stop and that he’s drunk, which offends Cassio who then attacks Montano. This creates quite a display and Othello finally comes into the scene and see’s Cassio acting foolish and takes the word of those who saw it all and fires Cassio. Getting someone fired by making him make a public ass of himself is probably the easiest way to do it. If you think about his options, Iago can make Cassio look foolish or make it appear he is incompetent at his job, and with no battle happening it kind of rules that out, and it’s not like Iago could reset his alarm clock or send out embarrassing pictures of Cassio, so it’s not the most cunning plan, it’s just what would most likely work, but with it working it boosts Iago’s ego in thinking he truly is smarter than everyone. It’s not the easiest task to convince someone of an affair when the man who is suspected of being with the wife having the affair, is also trusted by the husband, especially if it’s not true. Iago knows this as well, so he must find a way to get Othello to distrust Cassio, as another way prove to himself he is a mastermind of manipulation and smarter than all those around him, and that it’ll make it easier for him to get jealousy to rise in Othello. Iago convinces Cassio to go through Desdemona to get his words to Othello about his demotion and apologize for his actions, hoping he can get his job back. This will raise suspicion in Othello as he starts seeing Cassio talk more with Desdemona, along with the aid of Iago’s lies. You can’t convince someone their lover is unfaithful if their lover is never seen with or chatting and having possible secrets with another man, at least in those days, so it’s just the visual “proof” he must show to raise those suspicions. Again it’s one of the only options he has that he can plan for on raising Othello’s jealousy. Now that Iago has Othello’s trust and has planted the seed of jealousy in his brain of Cassio being with Desdemona, he can wreak havoc with his lies to Othello. Mehl states, “The decisive turning-point in the third act occurs in the long scene of dialogue between Othello and Iago.” 8 After his plan working of Cassio talking with Desdemona, Cassio leaves as Iago and Othello enter the scene to which Iago tells him that Cassio snuck away in guilt from Othello’s coming, but said in such a way that it seems so innocent:
Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it,
That he would steal away so guilty like,
Seeing you coming. (III.iii.41-43)

As that works on Othello It makes Iago feel good about him self and his planning. Desdemona blindly goes along with Iago’s plan and tries to talk to Othello about rehiring Cassio, planting the idea that the two have a connection. After the females leave, the conversation between Othello and Iago continues where Iago’s entrapping questions arise Othello’s suspicion. It’s not just what he says, but also the way Iago says and acts to Othello:
In my whole course of wooing, thou criedst, “Indeed!”
And didst contract and purse thy brow together,
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
Some horrible conceit. If thou dost love me,
Show me thy thought. (III.iii.112-116)
From Iago’s tone and body language Othello becomes very curious and questions Iago’s thoughts, falling into Iago’s trap. Later in the conversation Iago tells Othello to keep his guard up, “Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio” (197). He then attacks Desdemona’s reputation, “She did deceive her father, marrying you;” (206). After their conversation Iago lucks out and Emilia finds Desdemona’s handkerchief from Othello and gives it to Iago, to which Iago decides to use it in his plan. Othello questions and questions Iago as he becomes tormented with jealousy, to which Iago holds out to show that he is in good heart and doesn’t want harm done to anyone, but then he pretends to crack and spill some proof that Othello desires, “I am sure it was your wife’s-did I today/See Cassio wipe his beard with,” referring to the handkerchief (427-428). Othello follows up on this and finds Desdemona to be missing the handkerchief, going along without Iago’s well thought out plan. Later Iago get’s Othello to ease drop on a conversation between Iago and Cassio where Iago gets Cassio to talk of wooing Bianca, but Othello doesn’t hear that part and thinks it’s of Desdemona:
And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns,
That dwell in every region of his face;
For I will make him tell the tale anew,
Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when
He hath and is again to cope your wife: (IV.i.97-101)
Iago sure does get lucky that everyone just falls into his plans. Perhaps Iago is only as smart as other people are gullible. Luck has helped out Iago in his plans but he thinks he’s a genius, and according to McElroy, “…Iago believes, or wants to believe, what he wants to believe.” 1 Iago is good at keeping his cool and being so deceitful, which helps in the small actions of his plans, but that doesn’t make him necessarily smarter, just a good bullshitter. Fueled by hate and ego, Iago developed what he thought was a master and fail proof plan. Unfortunately he didn’t account for his wife spilling the beans about stealing the handkerchief and giving it to Iago. His whole plan comes crashing down and the result is he being killed. With his final breathe he denies Othello what he desires, “Demand me nothing; what you know: you know. / From this time forth I never will speak word,” (V.ii.348-349). A final blow to Othello’s sanity, increasing the torment in Othello of wondering why this all happened, that he will never know, and that he will always be the one who killed his wife for no reason he knows of. He can’t take the idea of that reputation, so he kills himself asking for a final wish of keeping a positive reputation. Iago get’s his revenge that he sought after so hard, unfortunately he was so consumed by his own genius he forgot to tie up the loose ends. A field of themes essays states “Iago sees his wife as an obstacle and a nuisance so he kills her. He kills her not as much out of anger but for pragmatic reasons.” 6
Unfortunately for Iago he killed her too late. Like in mafia movies those who know too much get taken out before they have a chance to snitch, Iago got a little ahead of himself and forgot about his wife being buddies with Desdemona because of course she’s going to give up the detail of the handkerchief, which without the handkerchief Othello wouldn’t have had his proof. Guess Iago didn’t plan for everything, he thought he was smarter than anyone, but blinded by his own ego and anger he stopped actually being as cunning as he thought he was, and he was just getting lucky with his plans along the way. It also wasn’t just luck, he happened to be surrounded by trusting people and he was the only deceitful one amongst them. He thought being a wolf disguised as a sheep surrounded by sheep made him the smartest sheep, but really he just has a bloodlust the others don’t, doesn’t make him smarter, but the fact he can manipulate the easily tricked sure make him think he’s a genius.

Bibliography 1) McElroy, Bernard. “Shakespeare’s Mature Tragedies”. Othello: His Visage In His Mind. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

2) "Essay on Iago." Hot Essays:. Essay Writing Service, 17 Mar. 2011.
<http://hotessays.blogspot.com/2011/03/essay-on-iago.html>

3) Lohrensen. "Othello: Iago Manipulates the Characters around Him by Building Then Diminishing Their Self-esteem." : Othello: Iago Manipulates the Characters around Him by Building Then Diminishing Their Self-esteem. Free Essays for College, 9 Oct. 2011. Web. <http://freeessaysforcollege.blogspot.com/2011/10/othello-iago-manipulates-characters.html>.

4) Oberheiden, Andrea. "Shakespeare’s Othello – Iago’s Manipulation Skills." AJ Images. Harvard University Extension School/ E-130 Shakespeare and Modernity/ Final Exam Essay, n.d. Web. <http://www.aj-images.com/publications/othello_iagos_skills.pdf>.

5) Aural Sex: The Power of Words and Homoeroticism
In “Othello”
<https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:YWu2JUtYp_4J:lsawarchives.lib.lehigh.edu/include/getdoc.php%3Fid%3D1744...pdf+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShyXaC1lM22czOEC-8KnC2Lx627ul5HLS25i-LveEZOVIx0g-dBlB4i8Ay1w47G5ATtIMsehobGC_M9AK3UGzvCVVbM6V4h8IdYstXa21MWCpO6lerCkYkS6OR5GvzDvGTMdd_L&sig=AHIEtbRoJuCoXB42W2Knw2eDX9v7j3xsEw>

6) "Othello - Analysis of Iago." Othello - Analysis of Iago. Field of Themes, n.d. Web. http://www.field-of-themes.com/shakespeare/essays/Eothelloiago.htm

7) Bradley, A.C., “Lecture VI”. Shakespearean Tragedy: Othello. NY, NY: St. Martin’s Press

8) Mehl, Dieter, “Othello”. Shakespeare’s Tragedies: An Introduction. NY, Cambridge UP

9) "Shakespeare 's Othello - Honest Iago." 123HelpMe.com. 14 Mar 2013 <http://www.123HelpMe.com/view.asp?id=3504>.

10) Pryse, Marjorie. "Lust for Audience: An Interpretation of Othello." ELH 43.4 (1976). <http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0013-
8304%28197624%2943%3A4%3C461%3ALFAAIO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-G>

Bibliography: 2) "Essay on Iago." Hot Essays:. Essay Writing Service, 17 Mar. 2011. 10) Pryse, Marjorie. "Lust for Audience: An Interpretation of Othello." ELH 43.4 (1976). &lt;http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0013- 8304%28197624%2943%3A4%3C461%3ALFAAIO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-G&gt;