The notion of vulnerability and exposure is one that is usually associated with shameful behavior, and in Shakespeare’s Othello and Yasunari Kawabata’s Thousand Cranes, we see this idea exploited to the fullest. While both of our characters meet miserable ends, the ways in which their paths divulge is centered around the relationships they choose to trust. Othello’s source of shame stems from his trust in a man who he believed to be the closest to him, whereas Kikuji experiences shame from those he is distant from. Othello prides himself on being a strong general who rarely confides in anyone, but this fact is what ultimately leads to his downfall. As Iago continues to twist his perception of reality, Othello’s reluctance to simply communicate
The capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events, in other words, Power of the People, is irrefutably manifested in Shakespeare Othello. We notice how the characters all perceive Iago, and how Iago exploits their misconceived judgment of his personality. Repetition of the epithet ‘Honest Iago’ asserts that he stands a man with moral integrity in the eyes of the other characters naming him so. This presents dramatic irony, as those he is closest to trust him entirely. Iago openly admits to Roderigo in the first scene “I am not what I Am” which makes clear the deception within the relationships Iago has with the other characters and the paradox remains true throughout the play. Iago constantly masks his real self from others because the way the people see Iago is of great significance; if he were seen as the manipulative, scheming, duplicitous man he really
Iago knows that Othello believes that anyone who seems honest, is honest. He thinks Othello will, “tenderly be led by th' nose/As asses are,” (I.iii.444-445). Iago believes that if he earns Othello’s trust, he will be easy to manipulate. When Iago aids in clarifying the spontaneous brawl between Cassio and Montano, Othello refers to him as “Honest Iago” (II.iii.189). Othello now relies on Iago for the truth.
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 is a powerful predator who exploits those around him by infecting their perceptions of truth with carefully chosen fallacy. His skill in finding the proverbial chinks in others' armor allows him to skillfully weave his machinations of destroying Othello into their minds and actions; by manipulating character's perceptions of Desdemona, Iago gains the leverage he needs to exploit each character. No one is impervious to Iago's seething purpose; even Othello falls prey to Iago's suggestions and insinuations about Desdemona. Iago's constant presence as the stager, as well as his ceaseless - but subtle - reinforcement of events through narration, allows him to be the pivotal force that directs
Shakespeare is known for his use of recurring themes throughout his work, including love, death and betrayal. These themes are present in his work of Othello. However, the most fundamental issue is jealousy. The lives of the characthers in Othello are ruined by jealousy from the beginning to the end of the play. The telling of the story is carried out by passion, jealousy, and death. Shakespeare’s Othello reveals devastating tragic inevitability, stunning psychological depth, and compelling poetic depth; the fragility and mysterious power of love, as well as demons of doubt, and how suspicion can be triggered by manipulative villain (Barthelemy 12).
Iago's manipulative nature has a profound effect on the decisions made by other characters in Shakespeare's ‘Othello’. Through his relations with those around him Shakespear characterizes him as a man full of malice, vengeance and dishonesty that is wholly inspired by jealousy. Furthermore it would appear that Iago has an exceptional ability to scheme, a talent which he uses to snake his way into the lives of others and exploit them through their weaknesses. Whether he does this for profit or for pleasure is a separate issue.
Iago plots with consummate sophistication, deliberately controlling Othello into trusting that Desdemona has been unfaithful. His comprehension of the human mind is wonderful, similar to his capacity to organize a confounded interweaving of pre-planned scenarios. Iago's misdirection is intense in view of his understanding, his intelligence, and what is by all accounts his inherent adoration for rich control.
important scene where the play’s main themes of jealousy and doubt surface. Through Iago's way of displaying subtle but effective implications in speech patterns and mannerisms, it draws Othello's inner conflict to start and eventually take a hold of him as the play continues. The subconscious worries of Othello become known, not only through Iago's words and unsupported claims, but by filling his mind with the image of doubt envisioned as Cassio. Taking form of his worries, Iago plays the mirror reflecting Othello's inner fear and Cassio as the physical form of all his apprehensions. This scene reflects the most hidden parts of Othello in a way where his future actions become a direct result of this scenes affect and conclusion. Those that believe Iago to be the one to set up Othello's future endeavors and downfall are mistaken in the realization that Iago mirrors Othello's own self in worries and fears. The role Iago has in this scene is not one to manipulate Othello into believing what's not there but to believe what's there by Othello's own mind.
In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello, Iago demonstrates a mastery of manipulation over people who had previously trusted and confided in him. His sudden turn from Othello’s loyal ensign to rage-filled villain seems indicative of a man who can no longer accept his position in life. Iago’s plotting of Othello’s demise starts as idle talk of a disgruntled 28 year-old career military man passed over for promotion. Iago believes that such a promotion may never come after Othello rejects his candidacy and makes it clear that he did not believe him suitable. He sees Othello is only concerned with personal and political gain with his choice of Cassio as lieutenant. When Iago teams with love-scorned and desperate Roderigo, he begins
355,] By playing on his hopes, Iago is able to conjure money and jewels from Roderigo, making himself a profit, while using Roderigo to further his other plans. He also thinks stealthy on his feet and is able to improvise whenever something unexpected occurs. When Cassio takes hold of Desdemona's hand before the arrival of the Moor Othello, Iago says, "With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio." [II, i, 163] This language demonstrates the evil inside Iagos goals of retrieving absolute power. He actually even says of himself, "I am an honest man...." [II, iii, 245] Iago slowly corrupts the characters thoughts, creating ideas in their minds without implicating himself. His "medicine works! Thus credulous fools are caught...." [II, i, 44] "And what's he then that says I play the villain, when this advice is free I give, and honest," [II, iii, 299] says Iago. In turn, people rarely stop to consider the fact that old Iago could be deceiving and manipulating them; yet they are convinced that he is "Honest Iago." From these quotes from Othello it is proven that the dialogue used between Iago and the others is manipulative causing an evil outcome.
Iago plants ideas in Othello’s head, uses the innocent actions of others as his proof; and Othello, who is not practiced in worldly matters, believes his the misnomer of the “honest Iago”, and eventually is consumed by the lie.
Shakespeare’s Othello explores the realm of manipulation and mischief through the power of words. Throughout the play, speeches serve as pivot points to show Othello’s transformation from a pure general to a paranoid, lesser Iago. In the beginning of the play, Othello, general of the Venetian army, addresses the Senate as a humble man with nothing to hide. Accused of witchcraft, he explains how he won over Desdemona with his words, not magic. After a succession of manipulations by Iago, Othello slowly morphs into Iago. After Desdemona fails to provide Othello with the handkerchief, Othello’s transformation was completed. Iago’s use of words and manipulation is the driving factor for removing Othello from a stable place of mind. In essence,
In each case, Iago manipulates Othello into seeing and believing what he wants him to, rather than the reality of what is actually happening. In this way, Iago becomes a kind of ‘director’.
Iago is very notorious for his villainous acts throughout the play “Othello”, by William Shakespeare. Iago’s motives drive him to manipulate and deceive other characters so his “monstrous” (I, iii, 395) plot would succeed. Iago manages to con Roderigo to take his money. Iago also tries to ruin Othello and Desdemona’s relationship by using Cassio as a bait. In this passage, Iago explains how he will manipulate Rodrigo, Cassio and, most importantly, Othello to achieve his goals.
Drunk in the rage of betrayal and love, General Othello’s eyes are are clouded when it come to judgement. Appearing bold, at the core the antagonist Iago communicates almost like his dismayed with emotions in a way his letters insinuate perfectly. No proposal is thought out fully, pieces are matched simply with intuition, it all boils down to revenge.