How Iago Convinces Othello that Desdemona and Cassio Must Die
In Act Three, Scene Three of ‘Othello’, by William Shakespeare, the
main theme is Iago’s plan to convince Othello of Desdemona’s
infidelity with Cassio; and ultimately get them punished. By the end
of the scene, Iago has succeeded in his malicious plan and Othello is
sure that Cassio and Desdemona must be killed. Iago manages to do this
through skilfully using his ability to manipulate and entrap Othello
into having total faith in his words.
In the beginning of the scene, Iago plays on Othello’s already
slightly suspicious mind (due to previously telling him that he
suspects Desdemona is sleeping with Cassio) by muttering: “Ha! I Like
Not That”; when Cassio leaves Desdemona’s side just as Iago and
Othello arrived. Othello, having not fully heard what Iago said asks
Iago to repeat it, and Iago replies by saying he didn’t say anything,
which obviously would make Othello suspicious. Othello asks if it was
Cassio who left from Desdemona’s side, although he most likely knew
that it was Cassio, as he would have seen him. Therefore, when Iago
replies: “Cassio, my lord? No, sure I cannot think it that he would
steal away so guilty-like, seeing you coming”; it effectively plants
the idea into Othello’s head that Cassio has something to be guilty
about, making him even more wary of Cassio.
Throughout the scene, Iago continually drops deceptive hints about
Cassio. This is demonstrated in lines 93 onwards when Iago asks
Othello; “Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, know of your
love?” After Othello tells him that he did, and asks why Iago wanted
to know, Iago once again...
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...affair, and the only way to prevent himself looking a Cuckold and a
fool will be to have them both killed. Through small but effective
hints and stories about Desdemona and Cassio, like Cassio’s supposed
dream, Iago leads Othello to believe that there is no other
possibility but that they are in a relationship. Iago’s malicious
intent means he will say almost anything to make Othello believe that
what he is telling him is true, fooling Othello into having complete
trust in Iago. Iago not only skilfully traps Othello in his web of
lies, but also makes it inevitable for Desdemona and Cassio to look
suspicious one way or the other- like with the handkerchief or
Desdemona pleading for Cassio’s reinstatement. This all adds to
Othello’s growing doubt of Desdemona’s fidelity until he is certain
that she, and Cassio, must die.
Implicitly targeting Othello’s doubts about marrying Desdemona and insecurities about her actions with infidelity, Iago eventually impacts Othello enough that the General himself confides in Iago about his own wife. Earlier in the play, ‘honest Iago’ needs to first gain Othello’s confidence and he does so by expressing his loyalty to Cassio, “I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth/ Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio”, while Othello is present in a conflict (2.3. 203-204). Then, later in the play Iago baits Othello by suggesting that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Immediately, Othello wants more information; however, Iago nervously responds with, “…vicious in my guess-/ As I confess…” and tries to calm Othello by saying, “My noble lord-” (3.3 46-47, 93). When voicing his devotion to Cassio, Iago immediately begins to play on his false reputation as ‘honest Iago’. He enables Othello, and his fellow characters, to think highly of him and to respect that even when his partner, Cassio, has not been following orders, Iago would even endure physical pain and have his “tongue cut from [his] mouth” and proves his locality (2.3. 203). This leads to when Iago responds to Othello’s queries, about
Throughout this passage Iago’s tone when he speaks is critical in his effort to make Othello do as planned. This tone is one of innocence and loyalty, and is used effectively to make Othello trust Iago’s statements. Iago appears to be innocent in his reluctance to relate to Othello what he knows about Desdemona and Cassio, as seen on lines 373-380. In this particular passage Iago uses his tone to demonstrate how he did not want to make enemies by telling the truth. Consequently, Othello assumes that Iago is not a part of any scheme and therefore must be telling the truth. The tone of innocence and loyalty to Othello is one of the methods by which Iago successfully manipulates Othello.
They may even argue that Iago’s control over Othello is unreasonable because Iago was the only one to procure any evidence or approached him with the matter. However, C. F. Burgess has a great counter-argument for that claim and does a great job explaining the rationale behind it, “Othello has been conditioned to expect absolute loyalty and honesty from his subordinate.” This expectation of absolute loyalty left Othello blind to the smaller subtleties in Iago’s intentions, ultimately allowing Iago to control Othello. In Act 2 Iago deceives Othello into demoting Cassio not by stating outright that Cassio has done something wrong, instead by appearing conflicted. Iago tells Othello that “[He would] rather have this tongue cut from [his] mouth than it should do offense to Michael Cassio.” which creates the false image of concern for Cassio. By constructing the interaction play out like it did Shakespeare demands attention to Iago’s flair for deception, and also warns that deceit is also leading someone into making false
While Othello murdered his wife Desdemona, he did it purely from misunderstanding and jealousy. Iago made Othello believe Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio even though she never did such actions. Iago’s persistence and villainous intentions made Othello become jealous of Cassio and break down his emotions towards Desdemona and want to kill her with fierce rage. Othello would not do such a crime if he have known it is was a
The Motivations of Iago in Othello Have you ever met a devil who does evil for his own sake? Iago in William Shakespeare's Othello could seem like he has good motives, but I feel that he uses them as his excuses. The first thing that I did was uncover Iago's motives. Iago is the most controversial character in Othello. He is able to keep his true thoughts and motives from everyone.
Iago elaborates a master plan to get Cassio position as a lieutenant. Iago get Cassio drunk so he could fight Roderigo. Othello then discharge Cassio from the lieutenant position when he says, How must poor Cassio have felt? To lose all he had worked for, working up his reputation that any half-hearted human can tell he earned and deserved. Iago know that Othello who ask him about the deed because of he fame of being a honest man. Iago tell Othello about the deed winning his trust that is when Iago starts to crab Othello by his weak point his Love for Desdemona.
Iago intends to orchestrate the demise of Cassio and Othello. On the surface, winning a promotion was the catalyst for Iago’s rage but bringing down only Cassio does not satisfy his bloodthirsty rage. Although Iago is cunning and ruthless in his pursuit to ruin Othello, the plot spins out of his control and only gains traction when his wife, Emilia unknowingly helps him. At this point Iago is poised to fail but the possession of Desdemona’s handkerchief provides a key piece of “ocular proof (Shakespeare)” that Othello requires to be convinced of Desdemona’s infidelity. Iago loses control of the situation. His stated purpose is to suppl...
All Iago had to do was hint at Desdemona being unfaithful and Othello’s becomes very bothered it and eventually starts believing it. The author of an essay does an analysis on Iago and says “He slowly poisons people’s thoughts, creating ideas in their heads without implicating himself. Iago even says himself that the advice he gives is free and honest and thus, people rarely stop to consider the possibility that Iago is fooling them.“ (Shakespeare’s Othello – Honest Iago). So Iago would hint at something going between Desdemona and Cassio so that Othello would become bothered and ask him what he means by that, it was like a game that Iago was playing, he would drop a little hint and then expect Othello to pick up on it and start questioning it and become more even suspicious. Brabantio tells Othello “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee” (I.ii.286-287), So In this scene Brabantio warns Othello that Desdemona has already fooled him and she might fool him too, so be careful, and it turns out, Othello believed in him after all and that’s part of the reason of why he thinks that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him. It leads him to start questioning Desdemona in a very suspicious way. At one point he even hits her in front of a nobleman and that was very shocking to the nobleman because he believed him to be a very calm and collected gentleman but obviously he was a changed man. The nobleman even expresses his shock by saying that “My lord, this would not be believed in Venice, though I should swear I saw’t. ‘Tis very much make her amends; she weeps” (IV .i.217-219). This negative thinking and insecurity was one of the main reasons to Othello’s change in a negative way. A lot of this was Iago’s doing but it was also Othello’s fault to fall for Iago’s
Ways that Iago Manipulates Othello in Act Three Scene Three in Othello by William Shakespeare
The situation above leaves an opening for Iago to fulfill his vital plan to bring down Othello through Desdemona. Cassio was a mental wreck and told Iago that his reputation was ruined. Iago told him that he can get his rank back through Desdemona and get back on Othello's good side. "Confess yourself freely to her, importune her help to put you in your place again (p. 54)." Once Cassio talks to Desdemona, Iago will speak with Othello and get him to think of his wife's trust. In Act three Scene three Iago is speaking to Othello and warns him to look out for Cassio and Desdemona. Othello asks Iago if it was just Cassio that left from speaking with his wife.
Now maybe Iago didn’t necessarily want the death of Desdemona or even the death of Cassio. All the reader knows Iago’s true intention was to take Cassio’s position. That’s not to say Iago isn’t responsible for their death. Because all of his actions up to this point have ultimately caused their fate and misfortune. Iago didn’t even try to kill Cassio himself he convinced Roderigo to do it. Iago doesn’t like Cassio but doesn’t have the motivation to kill him. After Desdemona died Iago’s wife told Othello everything. Iago immediately killed his wife. After it was all said and done Iago remained silent. Iago doesn’t show any remorse or regret for his actions. There is no way of knowing for sure what Iago was thinking or felt at the
...sio is in fact in love with Desdemona, and that Cassio is in fact doing dishonesty to Othello. Othello does get discouraged by this advice given by Iago, and eventually does confront Desdemona. The quote specifically displays how Iago can make Cassio seem evil to Othello. Iago persuades Othello into believing him, which creates a way for Iago to work around the truth. Iago completely changes the appearance of Cassio, therefore making Iago extremely intelligent and far superior.
Critical Analysis of Iago's Soliloquy in Act 2 Scene 3 of Othello by William Shakespeare
Othello has had Iago as his ensign for many years. They have gone to battle many times over. In war, every little thing can affect the outcome, everything is vital information. During this time, Othello, when he was upset or unsure of what to do, has learned to trust and listen to Iago’s insights about strategy and war. Othello shows that his trust in Iago extends beyond the battlefield when he asks Iago to take care of his wife during the voyage to Cyprus. It’s this trust that backfires on him. When Othello hears Iago’s off hand remark about Cassio, he trusts that Iago would not have said anything if it wasn’t something to worry about. Then, Iago, knowing how Othello thinks of his character, makes Othello think there is more to his thoughts than he is willing to speak of. Iago knows just what to say and how to articulate it to make Othello think the worst. He even manages to look like a friend who wants to keep...
Lying by omission is incorporated into the theme of appearance versus reality. Othello often falls prey to Iago’s twisted words. Iago plants a seed of doubt in Othello’s mind about Desdemona when the men see her talking to Cassio. Cassio leaves in a hurry and Iago tells Othello that Cassio “would steal away so guilty-like/ Seeing you coming” (3.3.39-40). He is telling Othello that Cassio would only be leaving so quickly if he and Desdemona were involved in something clandestine. Iago is planting seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind. He is making it seem that Cassio is acting suspicious, but in reality, Cassio is leaving quickly because he is “ill at ease” (3.3.30). around Othello given his current situation after the drinking incident in Act II. Another example of Iago twisting Othello’s reality is when Othello says he will only believe that Desdemona is unfaithful to him when he sees “ocular proof” (3.3.360) with his own eyes. When Iago manages to procure the handkerchief and place it in Cassio’s possession, Othello effortlessly takes it as proof and therefore is completely convinced of Desdemona’s infidelity. To Othello, it appears that Desdemona is cheating, because Cassio has her handkerchief, but in reality, Iago had planted it in Cassio’s chambers for him to find. Iago is liar; who makes other character believe what he wants them to believe through twisting his words