Power Of Manipulation In Othello, Bronte's Wu

The Definition of manipulation according to Cambridge dictionary; exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage. Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’, Bronte’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ and Browning’s monologues are all texts which explore the power of manipulation, as a forceful tool for individuals to empower themselves, manipulation is instrumental in the tragedies that occur in all three texts. Exposing the intricacies of manipulative behaviours and their subtleties allows writers to explore the complex nature of human relationships, entertaining the audience or reader. To achieve these effects the writers uses a range of techniques: experimenting with alternative narrative viewpoints, structure, language and form. Shakespeare,
Bronte and Browning all explore the ways in which manipulation can lead to the destruction of individuals and their relationships reveal the character's’ true motives. Bronte, Shakespeare and Browning explore the power of manipulation as it is a key tool in revenge, and implement their plans.The complexities of the characters in all these texts uncover the extremes they will go to fulfil their revenge, this reveals an emotional intelligence to use manipulation in order to steer an individual into the desired behaviour for the purpose of achieving their goal. Bronte’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ main protagonist Heathcliff illustrate his plan for vengeance against Hindley for the mistreatment after Earnshaw’s death. This is part of Heathcliff’s plan to become more powerful he says “I’m trying to settle how I shall pay Hindley back. I don’t care how long I wait if I can only do it at last. I hope he will not die before I do! “The tone of Heathcliff is very shrewd and vindictive, revenge is one of the emotions that drives Heathcliff as he “don’t care how long (he) wait, if I can only do it at last” giving him a reason to live, that his purpose is reliant on the destruction of Hindley. This reveals vulnerability from the pain of his past, the use of the noun “I hope” contrasts the declaration for revenge as he is highlighting a positive motivation to his plan. Hatred is the only emotion compensated for his heartbreak, as hatred is the emotion acceptable for a man to access. During the 18th-century men were viewed as strong leaders regardless, and any sign of another emotion could be viewed as weaknesses.
The ability to speak about his true feelings or develop emotional responses was considered as a female trait. Some readers may view that Heathcliff’s tone towards Hindley as not deliberate but a direct result of Hindley's abuse, readers can sympathise with Heathcliff as this is to be a cry of desperation which is expressed through the narration of Nelly. The emotional damage Heathcliff experiences becomes a driving force in the plot. Bronte uses this for readers to understand how the powers of manipulation and how his emotions fuel his revenge. As a result, he has unresolved issues that Heathcliff has carried into adulthood. This overwhelming desire for revenge-fuelled by resentment is a key character trait of Iago in ‘Othello'.Shakespeare highlights the passion and intensity of resentment, the catalyst being Cassio’s promotion over Iago. The influence of religious ideology can be seen when Iago proclaims “Till I am evened with him, wife for wife.” The use of biblical reference to the quote “an eye for an eye” emphasises Shakespeare language to set revenge as a declaration to God, Shakespeare does this so reader understand and sympathises Iago’s justification, as he feels Othello is to receive in compensation of the betrayal he has felt from Othello, receiving his motivations to audience through the use of religion. This
exhibits how Iago justifies his revenge with religion, The repetition of a “wife…wife” foreshadow how Iago manipulates women to exercise his revenge, as women have a weaker positions in society they are not respected in a patriarchal society and, as a result, become collateral damage in Iago’s plan, Iago objectifies women revealing the lack of respect he has for women and his marriage. Iago is portrayed as a stereotypical Machiavellian character as Iago enjoys extracting his revenge, as it is a game, as the more power he attains, the more addicted he becomes, making him more powerful. Revenge is a tool he uses to further his cause to destroyed Othello. The act of plan revenge is linked with Bronte Wuthering Heights as both plans are a reaction being hurt and betrayed by someone close to them. However, Browning’s 'Porphyria's Lover' illustrates her lovers physically manipulation of “his “woman to retain her love.