importance of Cassio

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Cassio is newly promoted as Othello's lieutenant at the beginning of the play even though he has little experience on the field, '. This position is what triggers Iago's inferiority complex, so he plans the bring Cassio down. One can easily say that through the course of this tragedy, Cassio's fortunes change considerably. In Act I, he is Othello's loyal and trusted lieutenant. In Act II, he is Othello's loyal friend in Cypress and respectful admirer of Desdemona but in Act II, Scene III, is manipulated to fight Roderigo, hitting him and Montano, and consequently losing his position as Othello's "lieutenant".
It is obvious that Iago does not like Cassio and this is evident when in Act 1 Scene 1 he states, 'One Michael Cassio...That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the devision of a battle know' thus criticizing his military abilities. Having said that, this is the chief motif why Iago wants to bring down Cassio. Another reason might be that Iago believes that Cassio has slept with his wife, conspicuous in a soliloquy where he says, 'For I fear Cassio with my night cap too', the 'night cap' referring to his wife.
Iago's plan is to get Cassio drunk and he manages to do so, ' He'll be as full of quarrel and offence, As my young mistress' dog'. As a result a fight broke out between Roderigo and Cassio. Due to all the commotion, Othello tries to eliminate the chaos by asking for the truth. When Othello asks what is happening, Iago answers,' I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth/ Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio' so to appear loyal to the latter character. Iago's indirect insinuations about Cassio get him fired. Nonetheless he still makes Cassio think that he feels sorry for him and that he wants to help hi...

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...haracters. When Cassio asks Desdemona to speak to Othello on his behalf she makes a bold promise, 'I give thee warrant of thy place'. Desdemona then goes on to say, ' My lord shall never rest,/ I'll watch him tame and talk him out of patience'. Desdemona will keep on arguing Cassio's case. This amplifies her strong will and passion. Additionally due to the brawl caused when Cassio is drunk, the audience sees Othello's sense of fairness and justice, since he fires Cassio from his position as lieutenant even though he is his friend, ' Cassio I love thee,/ But never more be an officer of mine.'
Without any doubt, indirectly Cassio plays a vital role in Othello's tragedy. Had it not been for his courtliness, Iago would not convince Othello that Desdemona is having an affair. Moreover, Shakespeare succeeds in developing more his other characters through Cassio's actions.

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