Iago's Influence on Othello - Essay Example

Reflection on Othello Iago’s Influence on Othello The tragic play of Othello by William Shakespeare revolves around the character of Othello, Iago, and Desdemona. The actions and words of Iago are manipulative, but Othello does not see through them and ends up becoming the sinful character in the play. The interactions of Iago, Desdemona, and Othello, push them to their tragic ends. Each character plays a unique role in the play,but the character of Iago takes center stage. The purpose of the following reflection is to explain how Iago poisons and influences Othello’s mind with jealousy as well as explore why Othello is the one only guilty of the murder of Desdemona. Iago plays the villain in the play and uses it to poison the mind of Othello (Ribner, 2013). His unique role in the play is to use deception cunningly to destroy the life of Othello. The deception is not visible to Othello because he perceives Iago as a smart, excellent and with agreat personality. Iago is seen as a knowledgeable person and uses it to take advantage of Othello. His manipulation starts when he learns that Roderigo has feelings for Desdemona. He disregards the fact that Desdemona is the wife of his best friend, Othello. Iago lets Othello know the extent Roderigo would go to win the love of Desdemona. The revelation sets the tragic play into motion and fills Othello with feelings of jealousy for anyone who tries to woo his wife. Othello does not know that the intention of Iago creating animosity between him and Roderigo would benefit one party. Iago gets money and jewelry from Roderigo, who has become an archenemy to Othello. Iago influences Othello to fire Cassio in the position of a lieutenant. Not only does Iago befriend Roderigo but also wins the company of Cassio. The aim of Iago is to use the friendship with Othello, Cassio and Roderigo to plot the death of Cassio. Cassio becomes a blind follower and does not know that there is a plan underway to kill him in order for someone else to occupy his position as a lieutenant. Iago paints Cassio as an irresponsible and disrespectful man. Iago tricks Cassio to drink in order to get a chance to disgrace him. The devious schemes of Iago workout well, and Othello dismisses Cassio. Othello is furious that Cassio has a position of integrity in the Venice community but disgraces himself by drinking without sound reasoning. The replacement of Cassio’s lieutenant positions with Iago shows the extent jealousy and deception can damage relationships. Othello has built a wall of trust around Iago and hardly realizes that Iago is against his success. Othello establishes strong and genuine friendship with Iago and does little to prevent or discover the evils of Iago. The naivety of Othello overcomes his self-assurance and strong leaderships with the friendship of Iago in the background. Iago confirms his intentions when he says, “Rouse him; make after him, poison his delight, proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen” (Act 1 Scene 1:65, p.7). Iago uses the trust to turn Othello into a jealous man. Hardly does Othello know that Iago evil motives for his marriage. According to Bisti (2015), the tendency of Othello to accept things at face value fuels his jealousy. Iago uses the flaws to turn him against his wife despite being a close friend and advisor to Othello. Othello accepts as true that Desdemona has been cheating on him when Iago elicits the conversation. The end of Act IV sees Iago successfully turning Othello against his wife. Desdemona is seen as a cheater and treacherous wife despite being married to an important figure in the Venice. Othello is convinced that Desdemona has an affair with Cassio and is ready to destroy his reputation and life. Iago has planted seeds of jealousy in Othello who becomes a murderous military leader. Othello sets a trap for Desdemona through a handkerchief he gave to her as a gift.The wrath of Othello is an impending storm to a marriage that he has built for years. The manipulation of Iago persuades Othello to believe that Desdemona does not have any true love for him. The suggestions of Iago are used to make conclusions is vulnerable to infidelity. Reasons WhyOthello Is Responsible For the Murder of Desdemona The murder of Desdemona happens because of jealousy, pride, and rush judgment. Othello is quick to believe the suggestions of Iago to set a trap and ultimately kill his wife. He confirms his doubts about his wife when Iago reveals alleged Desdemona illicit relationship with Cassio. The sins that drive Othello to kill Desdemona are vanity, jealousy, and wrath. Othello develops beliefs and excessive conviction that his wife is unfaithful (Bisti, 2015). His pride coupled by Iago’s poisoning compels Othello to commit the sin of pride. Othello cannot come to terms with people who are disloyal to him. He is amilitary leader in Venice, and the perceived betrayal by Cassio and Desdemona threatens his pride. Iago takes advantages of his vulnerability because of pride to manipulate him and plot murder for his wife. One of the reasons that drive Othello to kill Desdemona is the inevitable pressure on him to restore his pride as a leader after getting cuckolded. In Act 1 Scene 1: 15 he is described as “loving his own pride purpose, non-suits his mediators” (p.15). Othello becomes envious of the alleged relationship of his wife and Cassio (Ribner, 2013).He becomes determined to use jealousy to possess Desdemona back. Jealousy makes Othello lose patience, and he fears that his wife might be snatched from him for good. Iago uses his cunningness to turn Othello into a jealous leader. The intention of Iago is to win the position of Cassio. Additionally, the alleged unfaithfulness of Othello with Emilia fuels the feud in the play. The jealousy of Othello and inability to see through the evil intentions of Iago persuades him to commit murder. Jealousy is revealed in Act 3 Scene 3: 165 as follows, “O Beware, my lord, of jealousy, it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (p.103). The sin of anger persuades Othello to commit murder and becomes responsible for the death of his wife Desdemona (Bisti, 2015).Iago machinations drive Othello to become hateful and impatience. Othello chooses violence to eliminate any disloyal figure in his life. He desires to seek revenge for Desdemona’s infidelity by becoming anextremely angry fellow. He acts on perceived infidelity and anger to order for the death of his wife. Hardly does he realize that he has been a victim of deception from a close friend, Iago. Othello commits murder and further confirms the extent of danger of his wrath. He says, “Thou hadst been better have been born a dog than answer my wak’d wrath” (Act 3 Scene 3:123, p.113). Othello is angered by the belief that Desdemona could betray his marriage and fall in love with another dignitary in Venice. He does not allow Desdemona to defend herself because he had planned to make her pay for her adultery. Othello justifies the death of Desdemona as a prevention measure for men who might fall for her trap. Othello is not justified to become the judge and executioner of Desdemona based on allegations of Iago. Iagos cunning nature empowers him to use Othello as a vessel for his revenge. It is evident that Iago succeeds in planting the seeds of jealousy in Othello throughout the play. Iago starts by alleging and exposing Roderigo as a secret lover for Desdemona. He sets Cassio up and accuses him of sleeping with Desdemona. Othello becomes guilty of the murders because he allows pride, wrath, and jealousy to become the decisive factors for the cheating allegations. Additionally, he does not permit Desdemona to prove her innocence only to learn of her true love after her death. References Bisti, A. (2015). Moravian College English Department.Home.moravian.edu. Retrieved from http://home.moravian.edu/public/eng/prizes/2004/bisti.htm Ribner, I. (2013). Patterns in Shakespearian Tragedy.Hoboken: Taylor and Francis. Shakespeare, W., & Ridley, M. (1962).Othello.London: Methuen. Print Read More