Essay, Research Paper

Othello: Manipulation To Derive Power

Manipulation is a really powerful word. Peoples use this tactic everyday to acquire what they want in life. By lead oning people or flim-flaming them into seeing a certain point of position, people gain power. To skilfully utilize the power of use a individual must utilize another individual & # 8217 ; s failings. By utilizing a individual & # 8217 ; s emotions against them, they can be manipulated with easiness. In Shakespeare & # 8217 ; s Othello, the character of Iago uses these tactics about to flawlessness to accomplish his ends.

The first scene of Act I illustrates Iago & # 8217 ; s usage of use. Iago knows that Roderigo is upset about losing Desdemona to Othello. Iago himself is angry at Othello for being passed over for publicity to lieutenant for Michael Cassio. Recognizing that by playing on Roderigo & # 8217 ; s jealousy he can derive an ally to work against Othello. Iago does this in a elusive mode. He explains to Roderigo that he was passed up for publicity by Othello. While making this he makes Othello look inferior by reenforcing the fact that he is a Moor. By indicating out that Othello is a Moor Iago causes Roderigo to go even more covetous, because of the fact that he lost Desdemona to person who he feels is of a lesser race. It even seems that Iago is dallying with Roderigo when he reveals that he is a fraud when he says, & # 8220 ; I am non what I am. & # 8221 ; ( I.i.62 ) By utilizing these tactics, Iago has about gained entire control of Roderigo.

Iago uses a different maneuver to pull strings Brabantio. He changes Brabantio & # 8217 ; s manner of looking at the matrimony of his girl Desdemona to Othello. He awakes Brabantio by stating & # 8220 ; Awake! What, Ho, Brabantio! Thieves! Thiefs! Look to your house, your girl, and your bags! Thieves! Thiefs! & # 8221 ; ( I.i.76-78 ) By stating this, Iago shows a new position to Brabantio by insinuating that Othello has stolen his girl. Iago reinforces this when he say & # 8217 ; s,

Zounds, sir, y & # 8217 ; are robbed! For shame. Put on your gown!

Your bosom is burst, you have lost half your psyche.

Even now, now, really now, an old black random-access memory

Is tupping your white Ewe. Arise, arise!

Wake up the puffing citizens with the bell,

Or else the Satan will do you a grandsire of you.

Arise, I say! ( I.i.83-89 )

After hearing Iago speak, Brabantio has had his eyes open to a new position of the state of affairs. Iago so begins to utilize a new manipulative scheme, he starts utilizing bestiality to depict Othello. Iago calls Othello a & # 8220 ; Barbary Equus caballus & # 8221 ; and so says, Brabantio & # 8217 ; s grandsons will nicker to him and his relations will be coursers ( I.i.108-10 ) . This cholers Brabantio, he now sees Othello as an animate being who has stolen his girl, non an a great warrior who has married Desdemona.

Another illustration of Iago & # 8217 ; s use for personal addition is at the terminal of the first act when Roderigo is endangering suicide because he believes that all is lost in his pursuit for Desdemona & # 8217 ; s love. Iago recognizes this as a cardinal chance to pull strings Roderigo. He foremost tells him to & # 8220 ; Put money in thy purse. & # 8221 ; ( I.iii.335 ) Iago so goes on to state & # 8220 ; It can non be long that Desdemona should go on her love to the

Moor.” ( I.iii.348-9 ) This gives Roderigo a gleam of hope that he still has a opportunity with Desdemona. This usage of use accomplished two ends, he kept Roderigo as an ally and he besides gained fiscal support. Iago so plots to utilize Othello’s green-eyed monster to turn him against Cassio when he says,

Cassio & # 8217 ; s a proper adult male. Let me see now:

To acquire his topographic point, and to overcharge up my will

In dual dishonesty. How? How? Let & # 8217 ; s see

After some clip, to mistreat Othello & # 8217 ; s ears

That he is excessively familiar with his married woman.

He hath a individual and a smooth dispose

To be suspected-framed to do adult females false.

That thinks work forces honest that but seem to be so ;

And will as tenderly be led th & # 8217 ; nose

As buttockss are.

I have & # 8217 ; T! It is engendered! Hell and dark

Must convey this monstrous birth to the universe & # 8217 ; s visible radiation.

By doing Othello believe that Cassio is holding an matter with his married woman, Iago will so hold two of his antagonists angry with each other, similar to the maneuver of spliting and suppressing. This shows how cute and fallacious Iago is.

Iago & # 8217 ; s chef-d’oeuvre is his use of Othello. Iago & # 8217 ; s tactics are indirect but still really effectual. He doesn & # 8217 ; t really state Othello that Cassio is holding an matter with Desdemona, but he subtly implies it with statements like, & # 8220 ; Cassio my Godhead? No, certain, I can non believe it/ That he would steal off so guilty-like, / Sing your coming. & # 8221 ; ( III.iii.38-9 ) This statement is like a seed that Iago has planted in Othello & # 8217 ; s caput. With each deduction of an matter between Cassio and Desdemona the seed grows. To see that the Othello is taking the come-on Iago makes Othello believe that he is a trusting friend that he can confide in. This gives Iago more control over Othello doing it easier for him to implicate Cassio. Iago finally causes Othello to go angered with green-eyed monster after he says,

There is a sort of work forces so loose of psyche

That in there slumbers will mumble their personal businesss.

One of this sort is Cassio.

In slumber I heard him state, & # 8220 ; Sweet Desdemona,

Let us be wary, allow us conceal our loves! & # 8221 ;

And so, sir, would he bitch and contorting my manus,

Cry & # 8220 ; O sweet animal! & # 8221 ; Then snog me difficult,

As if he plucked up busss by the roots

That grew upon my lips ; laid his leg O & # 8217 ; er my thigh,

And suspiration, and snog, and so call, & # 8220 ; Cursed destiny

That gave the to the Moor! & # 8221 ; ( III.iii.413-22 )

After hearing Iago say this Othello vows retaliation. Iago does the same as a gesture of trueness, ensuing in Othello calling him as his new lieutenant. Thus Iago has achieved one of his ends by use.

Iago is hungry for power, and he will make anything to acquire it. He realizes that by utilizing peoples emotions such as choler and green-eyed monster, he can command them. The people he controls are like pawns in a chess game. This led to his rise in power but caused the deceases of Othello, Desdemona, and Roderigo, finally taking to his ruin. In decision, Iago wanted power, and he used use to acquire it.