Examples Of Manipulation In Othello

Sofia Laxman

Even though Othello is a highly respected general of the armies of Venice, but because he is a North African, a moor, he has deep insecurities because of his race. Even though he is so intelligent and a powerful figure, because of his self-consciousness and insecurities he is an easy target and these flaws are what let him be manipulated so easily by Iago. Othello’s idea that all men are as honest as he is and his open nature are what Iago uses to twist Othello’s love into the powerful jealousy that leads to him murdering Desdemona.

Since Othello is visibly different from the other Venetians he lives around he feels constantly separated from other people and this fact is presented especially in acts 1 and 2, when Othello is constantly called “The Moor”, instead of using his name. This also connects to the Elizabethan symbolism that white is good and black is evil, so Othello is always viewed less honorably than other men.When Othello says “Haply, for I am black” (Act 3 Scene 3 line

303) he mentions his fear that Desdemona might have cheated on him because he is black, which exemplifies his racial insecurity and proves that he thinks is such an issue that his wife would cheat on him because of it. Othello’s obsession with the idea of Desdemona's affair grows fairly quickly not only because of Iago’s cunning manipulation, but because of his insecurities, he says “Ha, Ha, false to me” (Act 3 Scene 3 line 383) a frustrated remark and his almost immediate reaction after Iago suggests an affair between Cassio and Desdemona which shows how quickly his insecurities allow his love to turn into jealousy.
When in Act 3 Scene 3 Iago starts planting suspicion in Othello’s mind over Desdemona’s fidelity Othello believes him so quickly it truly begins to show how prominent Othello’s insecurities truly are. Othello begins to wonder “Why did I marry” (Act 3, Scene 3 line 283) after Iago brings up Desdemona’s youth and how many other men had wished to marry her, but she decided to marry Othello, an older, black man, and Othello becomes uncertain as to why Desdemona chose him, and not a younger, wealthier Venetian. His own insecurities about his appearance and age bring more suspicion over Desdemona into his head.
Even though it can be argued that the main reason Othello is easily manipulated is because he is an honest man himself and would therefore not have reason to doubt what Iago is telling him.

Iago recognizes this fact and takes advantage of it, “The Moor is of a free and open nature, That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,” (Act 1, Scene 3, line 391). Since Othello is more ready to believe Iago, a man he trusts, but does not seem to have a tremendous amount of confidence in seeing that Cassio was given the promotion instead of Iago, than to believe what his wife says is probably because of Othello’s own insecurities, “By the world, I think my wife be honest, and think she is not. I think that thou art just, and think thou art not.” (Act 3 Scene 3 line 388-390). Othello’s insecurities with himself are what really cause him to lose control of his own judgment and fall into Iago’s manipulation, his morals only support the insecure thoughts and Iago’s devious

intentions.
Throughout the play Shakespeare exemplifies the racial difference between Othello the moor and the rest of the Venetians that leads to Othello’s racial insecurity. This insecurity along with tremendous self doubt cause Othello to seriously fear that Desdemona is actually in love him him. This thought, egged on by Iago’s plan to exact revenge on Othello, controls his mind and leads to Othello believing Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. With help from Iago,Othello’s insecurities consume him, and transform his jealousy into something destructive and he ends up suffocating Desdemona. This tragic flaw of severe insecurity is what lead to Othello’s downfall, because without it he would not have been so easily manipulated and taken advantage of by Iago.