Iago’s Use of Rhetorical Strategies to Manipulate Othello in Shakespeare’s Othello

First looking at words as power. From the beginning of the play we see what influence words have on the characters in the play, power of words can be positive or negative. The famous saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword” which means that with words and brains, it can become a greater weapon than a sword. If such a person was to have this power with words, then one shall lead to great things, if the person wishes to do so. In Othello we see how Iago uses his skills with persuasion and words to captivate the minds around him in reaching desired outcomes especially when we look at characters like Roderigo, Cassio and Othello. Iago uses his persuading power with words to manipulate the characters around him into doing what he wants to be done. Iago decided that Othello slept with Emelia without any proof, so now he wants “revenge” if we can put it like that. He uses Roderigo, Cassio and his own wife Emelia to destroy the marriage of Othello and Desdemona. He plants the seed of Desdemona being unfaithful with his words “Ha! I like not that” (Othello(active Shakespeare series) , 2001), he knows he saw Cassio leaving Desdemona but acts like maybe he saw wrong because why would Cassio be with Desdemona whiles Othello is not present, and why would Cassio leave Desdemona looking “guilty” in the words of Iago when he sees

Why, say they are vile and false” (III, iii) to imply that he is saving Othello from hearing such awful thoughts. Then he tells Othello “You cannot, if my heart were in your hand;/ Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody” (III, iii) know about his thoughts in order to make Othello first curious and then concerned that the information Iago is withholding is crucial to know. Once Othello essentially begs Iago, he asserts that “now I shall have reason/ To show the love and duty that I bear you” (III, iii). This ruse baits Othello into thinking that he needs the knowledge that Iago has, and that it is more important and valid than it really is while setting Othello into a state of mind to truly consider and believe the implications that Iago is making. This line also plays upon Othello’s assumption and belief that Iago wants not only what is best for him, but that Iago would sacrifice himself for him. Therefore, Iago uses rhetoric to make imaginary faults plausible.

Once a seed of suspicion or doubt is planted in a person’s mind, the noxious effect of jealousy is soon to ensue. Jealousy and suspicion are Othello’s flaws hubris throughout the play and foreshadow to the audience his imminent downfall. He believes what Iago tells him so strongly that he compromises his close relationship with his best friend and his love for his wife. Iago manipulates Othello through the use of extortion, literary techniques, and his keen judge of character. His syntax and diction are so simple yet so powerful because he uses the correct rhetorical questions and addresses Othello with respectful terms such as “my lord.” He allows Othello do most of the talking

Iago’s next achievement in Shakespeare’s play Othello is to convince Othello that his wife is cheating on him. He wants to destroy their marriage because he believes Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia which is another motive as to why he hates Othello. Starting in Act One, Scene Three Iago wants to start “poisoning” Othello’s mind with thoughts of his wife having an affair with Cassio. He states in lines 385-387, “Let’s see. After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear that he is too familiar with his wife”. Iago is going to put the impression that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. Iago wants to put these thoughts into Othello’s head; therefore Othello can experience the same betrayal and heartbreak that he is experiencing. He believes Othello will trust his word because Cassio is good looking and a smooth talker. In Act Three, Scene Three Iago starts hinting to Othello that his lieutenant, Michael Cassio could be having an affair with Othello’s wife Desdemona. Iago tells Othello, “Look to

The verbal irony used in the play is sometimes zany. Some of the lines are found to be the exact opposite of what is actually the truth, but in such a manner is drives the audience crazy. This is especially found between Iago and Othello. Othello would be found saying things as: Honest Iago . . . "(V.II.92), "I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter” (II.III.263). Iago has poured his poison into Othello and made him truly deem that he is his friend and protector. It shows how much trust Othello has in Iago, and shows the reader how it is going to waste. One line that shows great irony is: "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (III.III.195-96). But the whole reason Iago wants to ruin Othello is because he is jealous, yet he counsels Othello on the matter instead. In the end, Othello does kill his wife because he in fact is jealous. Verbal irony is found throughout this play probably the most. It adds a bit of humor while tormenting the characters, who don’t know the truth.

Iago is analyzing every possible outcome of this situation and conclusion that he will fill Othello's head up with lies and be expecting Othello to be grateful for this information. Iago says, “Abuse him to the Moor in the right garb/(For I fear Cassio with my night-cape too)/Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me/For making him egregiously an ass” (Shakespeare 2.1.3.328-331). Iago is planning on turning this whole situation around to make himself look as if he is sparing Othello's feelings and trying to be a good

. . . Iago ruins Othello by insinuating into his mind the question, ‘How do you know?’ The tragic experience with which this play is concerned is loss of faith, and Iago is the instrument to bring Othello to this crisis of his being. His task is made possible by his being an old and trusted companion, while husband and wife are virtually strangers, bound only by passion and

This shows how Iago will use his clever trickery to bring down Cassio.  He creates a lie that Desdemona and Cassio are directly in love.  He later uses this idea to successfully convince Othello that Desdemona is being unfaithful with him.  Still focused on Cassio, Iago cunningly uses a known weakness of his against him.  He shows this by saying  "If I can fasten

After a few lies and tricks like finding his dear handkerchief and planting evidence on Cassio Iago somehow gets in right with Othello. Othello trusts him blind heartedly, and it is enough to get Othello to believe that Desdemona is cheating on him. Iago does things such as plant evidence, tell lies, but there is one “honest” truth that Iago says that plays a significant role in this story. Iago tells Othello

Iago has a sophisticated way of deceiving the characters of the play, making him a very intelligent person. Early in the play, Othello introduces him to the duke of Venice as, “my ancient/ a man he is of honesty and trust” (I.III.284-85). Throughout the play Iago is considered to be honest, but is actuality the villain. In order to maintain the false image one has to have a beguiling character. Othello’s overlooking of Iago for the position of lieutenant initially begins Iago’s devilish plans. Without conscience, Iago vows to take back what he feels is

One of the most vital illusions withheld in the story is how Iago acts. Everyone is virtually oblivious to what Iago is actually up to, calling him a “most honest man” and thinking he is loyal and after their best interests (II.iii.7). Iago never really is who he seems to be, and when he told Othello “I am not what I am,” it was a major clue that he is up to no good and proves just how ignorant Othello is to him (I.i.66).

It could be said, however, that they are similar because of their fallibility. Iago is overcome with his desire for revenge to such an extent that he puts it into action. Othello's love and possessiveness of Desdemona take over him until he eventually would rather kill her than allow anyone else to have her. In this way, despite their contrasts, Iago and Othello both represent the extremity of the same thing - human emotion. Iago is a representative of the very basic elements of humanity. He uses crude language. He swears. Iago is extremely manipulative. Iago is a master at manipulation. Through his mere words, he plants seeds of doubt in Othello. Truly, Iago is subtle in his accusation as he merely suggests that Cassio may be having an affair with Desdemona. No doubt, Iago manipulates the situation to convince Othello that his wife is unfaithful with Cassio. When Cassio and Desdemona are merely talking, Iago leads Othello to the scene. As Othello views the scene, Iago plants seeds of doubt and jealousy in Othello. He uses hesitation as he speaks. This causes Othello to question what Iago is really saying. With Othello's insistence, Iago gives in and expresses his dislike of Cassio and Desdemona talking to one another: “Ha! I don’t like that. When Othello questions Iago in saying, "What did you say?" Iago begins scheming. Iago pretends to be hesitant in his accusations: Nothing, my lord. Artfully and cleverly, Iago is causing Othello to think that Cassio and his wife should not be talking.” When Cassio realizes that Othello is coming, he quickly leaves the scene. Iago uses this moment to make Othello think that Cassio is stealing away because he is guilty of having an intimate talk with Othello's wife. Iago comments about Cassio quickly fleeing from the scene: I cannot believe that he would steal away so guiltily, seeing you coming. Later on, Iago uses Cassio's genuine support of

Iago has an advanced method for misleading the characters of the play, making him an extremely astute individual. Right on time in the play, Othello acquaints him with the duke of Venice as, "my old/a man he is of genuineness and trust" (I.iii.284-85). All through the play Iago is thought to be straightforward, yet is fact the reprobate. Keeping in mind the end goal to keep up the false picture one needs to have a dumbfounding character. Othello 's neglecting of Iago for the position of

One infamous scene which demonstrates this utilisation of his intellect is when he first insinuates to Othello that Cassio and his wife Desdemona are having an affair. After indirectly stripping Cassio of his title as Lieutenant as a result of his masterfully set up brawl, Iago seizes the opportunity, using Cassio’s shame and reluctance to face his general, Othello, and twisting it into a suggestion that Cassio in fact is suppressing a secret. From Iago’s cryptic remark of, “Ha! I like not that!”- which stirs curiosity in Othello- to his pretence that he believes that Cassio “is honest” and that he is only revealing these suspicions as an act of “love” towards his general, Iago essentially plants the seed of jealousy and conflict which leads to much destruction throughout the rest of the play. Through his articulate way with words and his awareness that Othello is a passionate and impulsive man, Iago expertly manages to both gain Othello’s deepest trust, as well as corrupting his feelings of love towards Desdemona, turning him into a jealous “green-eyed monster”, hell-bent on revenge against both Cassio and his wife. There is irony in this situation, as Iago is essentially transforming Othello into another version of himself. Even while we are appalled by his lies into this fake, fabricated affair, we as an audience cannot help but be impressed by his ability to twist any situation to his own advantage, through his copious knowledge of seemingly everyone. This shows us the terrifying compatibility of evil and intellect, giving Iago a great power that is, although dark and terribly immoral, also incredibly gripping for an audience who is not directly

Iago's envy towards Othello rapidly changes into a desire toward Cassio as well, since Othello chose Cassio as lieutenant instead of Iago. Iago assumes that he should be lieutenant since he has combat close by in battles and in light of the fact that he has certified war inclusion, while Cassio took in the greater part of his procedures from books. In this manner, he is resentful in light of the fact that he didn't arrive the position, in any case he is irritated in light of the fact that he trusts that Othello made Cassio his lieutenant in light of the way that Cassio helped Othello wed Desdemona. Iago doesn't know anything about this, suggesting in case he has been wronged, he will pass on equity to himself by giving the liable party a discipline that doesn't coordinate the wrongdoing. For this circumstance, Iago wasn't chosen as lieutenant; thusly, he needs to torment Othello and Cassio