William Shakespeare's Othello as Overwhelmed to Destruction

In William Shakespeare’s Othello, who is the protagonist of this tragic play, gets manipulated by one of his best friends Iago. All throughout the play Iago uses his two faced demeanor to manipulate the characters in the play to his benefit, These actions are what motivates Iago’s jealousy of anyone who comes before him, specifically Michael Cassio, who was Othello second in command while Iago was his third The jealousy Iago obtains through the play results in Othello murdering his wife, Desdemona, and killing himself after.

Iago is one of the most intelligent villains of all time, he uses the image people have about him to his benefit and even hints at his evil persona while no one notices, Iago has set a guiltless impression on every character within this tragic play, and it acts as a veil to disguise his true wicked demeanorr Iago’s presence within this tragedy is used by Shakespeare to reveal that people with iniquitous intentions can elegantly conceal these intentions through a false innocent personal.

It is certain that Iago is aware of the innocent impression he has on everyone and uses this to his benefit. He uses this quality that he has as a weapon to keep his immoral actions concealed, At first, Iago is introduced as a “loyal Iago” by Othello, giving the impression that Othello hold Iago to a high standard. He sees Iago as a friend to confide in when conflicted, which is why Othello was so easily manipulated by Iagor Othello believed that his dear friend Iago was looking out for him, so when Iago starts to implant these inaccurate conclusions about Desdemona and Cassio Othello believes him The first true view of Iago comes in his soliloquy in Act I scene three in which he states, “If I would time expend with such a snipe/ But for my sport and profit I hate the Moor,/ And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets/ He‘s done my office, I know not if ’t be true,/ But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,/ Will do as if for surety.

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He holds me welL/ The better shall my purpose work on him, ” (13377—383), In this soliloquy Iago reveals his true intentions involving Othello, jointly, he reveals that knows Othello hold him highlyi This value Othello has for him “The better shall my purpose work on him.” meaning that because of lago’s high value, manipulating Othello will work more efficiently. Othello‘s trust in Iago will be the first mistake that will lead to his downfallt Shakespeare’s use of such a surreptitious character is done to portray how the people who intend to cause trouble can be one‘s closest peert A person who causes true destruction will camouflage their wicked actions and have one thinking they are the last person to do such actions. This is how Shakespeare portrays Iago, and this is what Iago should teach the individuals who read this tragedy A supplement to Iago’s hidden two faced demeanor, is his manipulative actions that contain a set motivationt.

Since Michael Cassio is Othello‘s second in command and Iago is only his third, Iago develops an unquenchable desire of an acceptance from Othello. This excessive desire is where chaos originates in this play, Iago will destroy Cassio’s impression to be accepted by Othello’s and become his second in command, This deep rooted jealousy within Iago creates an intention that constructs the primary conflict within the play. Iago predicts that he will “have our Michael Cassio on the hip/ Abuse him to the Moor in the right garb/ (ForI fear Cassio with my night-cape too)/ Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me/ For making him egregiously an ass” (21, 302-306) Iago believes the downfall of Cassio’s impression will result in Othello dismissing him as his second in command and bring Iago in as a replacement. This is what Iago desires, the longing he has to replace Cassio is so intense that he causes the downfall of his Othello, who truly did nothing wrong in the first place.

Having Othello “thank me, love me, and reward me” is the exact opposite of what actually happens at the end of the play Iago’s manipulation of Othello causes Othello to blindly kill his wife, kill himself, and lose himself all together. Shakespeare shows that through Iago hidden actions is an obsession of acceptance, this can conclude that the individuals who are out to do wicked actions toward somebody have a form of obsession that motivated said actions Apart from Iago’s intentions and hidden immoral behavior, he is so exceptional at manipulating his peers throughout this tragedy that he even convinces Othello that these evil acts are for the better. He causes Othello to lose his strong persona, organized thought, and his tranquility in chaotic situationsi Through Iago’s manipulation, Othello becomes the exact opposite of who he is in the beginning of the play, he loses his overall enate wisdom which is shown through Shakespeare purposely extracting iambic pentameter in Othello’s speeches.

However, besides losing his overall enate wisdom Othello loses his judgment when he catches Iago attempting to kill Cassiot Othello is not aware Iago is trying to kill Cassio, butjust sees him in the dark and has the impression that lago’s theory of Cassio is accurate, and acts as a reassurance of Iago‘s well formed character. He states that “’Tis her Oh, brave Iago, honest and just,/ That hast such noble sense of thy friend’s wrongl/ Thou teachest me” (3131-33), This dramatic irony shows that Iago has manipulated Othello so much that, Othello does not even think twice on what is actually happening in a situation that contains Iago and a screaming Cassio. Cassio is actually good friend of Othello, but as he cries for help Othello just concludes that “ brave Iago, honest andjust,/ That hast such noble sense of thy friend’s wrong!” and not have concern for his friend. The content Othello would have tried to calm Such a Chaotic situation, but instead is blinded by the lies Iago has told him about his wife Desdemonai.

This statement by Othello is meant to show how individuals who have wicked intentions can brainwash one‘s mind This is an element that can be overlooked and Shakespeare wants to include this type of effect that these people have to show his readers every kind of consequence these people can create. In summation, within this tragic play Iago is the antagonist who manipulates Othello to the point of his own destruction. He has a hidden evil persona that is rooted by his jealousy of Michael Cassio and motivated by the obsessive desire to have acceptance from Othelloi Iago is the greatest villain of all time because of his ability to conceal his negative persona from everyone until the end of the play when everything unfolds Shakespeare uses Iago to display how and what can happen when you have an individual who has villainous intentions, The individuals who have a desire to cause true destruction generally have a form of obsession and are phenomenal at concealing their actions