how is iago responsible for othello's downfall

Among some of the crucial characters who were targeted by Iagos manipulative plans are Othello, Cassio, and Rodrigo. As a result, he devises to use other people to obtain what he desires by influencing the characters in the play to suit his plan. 39). But Iago targets Othello's vulnerabilties. Othello thinks he overhears Cassio talking to Iago about his relationship with Desdemona, when in fact he is speaking of Bianca. His focus in negativities, such as heavily viewing the possibility of his wife being unfaithful towards him instead of earnestly focusing on the positive possibility that Desdemona, his wife, is actually remaining faithful towards him, and the abundant hedonism in the play, such as his drastic desire for vengeance and knowledge and the desire of Iago, led to Othellos downfall. William Shakespeares Othello involves a man named Iago who wants to get revenge on Othello who is known as the Moor of Venice. One being him wanting to defend his honor . Iago plants the seed in Othellos mind about the possibility that Desdemona gave her handkerchief to Cassio, then proceeds to give him some sort of proof that it is true. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. On the contrary, Iago has qualities of the devil, which can be connected to the Medieval and Renaissance age. Othello expresses his inadequacy in. Iago is almost entirely responsible for the demise of Roderigo, whereas chance plays roughly an equal role in the fall of Cassio and Othello. Once Othello's trust is gain, Othello confides in Iago about Desdemona. Othello turns from calm to a raging cauldron of jealousy. Graziano stops him and Emilia explains how she . It is important to realise that during the time of the plays creation, matters that are seen as unacceptable nowadays such as racism or sexism were common during this period. To What Extent Is Iago Responsible for Othello's Downfall In order to bring about the downfall of Othello, he must ensure Cassio and Desdemona spend an increasing amount of time together. In conclusion, both Iago and chance play major roles in the downfall of several characters within the play, some more than others. Iago manipulated Emilia to have her take the handkerchief from Desdemona without her knowing. Without Desdemona in Cyprus, there would be no need for Roderigo and he plays a major role in Iagos entire plot. As he continued to stir up trouble with his fellow peers, he went to Othello to plant evidence of Cassio infidelity. Distinctive writing strategies corresponding to the theme, motifs, symbols and characters contently allow the scripter to plot the flaws dominating the descent of the advocate. How Does Othello's Pride Lead to His Downfall Iago overtime develops a complex idea that will bring Othello down and complete the determination of revenge, all this because Othello gave a promotion over to someone else. However, Shakespeare has chosen to alter this in the case of Iago, which also helps to reflect his manipulative nature, as he is able to speak in both ways in order to use different people according to their characters. Here he has played on Roderigos love for Desdemona and managed to ensure that he travels to Cyprus. Log in here. As a result of the whole play, we can see that jealousy can really affect a person and make them to be something/someone they are not. He jumps to conclusions far too easily which Iago uses to his advantage. What is Othello's tragic flaw that causes his downfall? The Role Iago Played in Othello's Downfall - GradesFixer Each of these male characters have different personalities and knowing them can be useful to Iago in his hope of completely fooling them in thus ruining their names and making everyone turn on each other. Latest answer posted February 06, 2021 at 2:05:38 PM. Not only did Iago not directly say Desdemona was having an affair, he neither didn't give proof to confirm the rumours. Othello may be the cause of his own downfall because he fails to understand that not all people are as good as he is and that everyone isn't out for the good of others. Perhaps this is his classic Shakespearean tragic flaw. He is also an extremely jealous and incredibly insecure character, and Iago only helps to reinforce these feelings. Othello represents the incompatibility of marriage that comes with some due to the complete fault of one, The Tragic Downfall Of Iago In Shakespeare's Othello. Behind his faade as a dependable ensign and companion, Iago is a multilayered, tricky and manipulative scalawag, coming up with disarray and bringing about setbacks toother characters for requital. But, Othello did not seem to think so. Instead of telling Othello what he thinks, and what Othello should think about the possible affair between his wife and Cassio, he resorts to dropping hints occasionally, and refusing to elaborate on them. In some ways you could say that Othello was highly responsible for his own downfall as he was easily manipulated by Iago showing him to be gullible and naive.Iago manipulates Othello by making him suspicious through inference, "Ha I like not that". Rather than talking his beloved wife and trusting her. Jealousy Is Responsible For Othello's Downfall By playing upon Othello and Desdemonas differences in race and social standings, Iago makes Othello believe that his wife is sleeping with Cassio. This is demonstrated through Iago's willingness to use other's weaknesses against them, lack of morals and obsession to meet goals. Therefore we have to wonder how well his plan would have worked without the intervention of fate. Iagos manipulation has not only lead Othello to believe the rumor is true, but has lead him to kill his own wife as well. Iago is so determined to bring Othello and other innocent people down just so he can succeed in getting his revenge for Othello. How did iago makes othello suspicious. their love gives truth to appearance versus reality seen in the play. Iago is regarded as a powerful, Machiavellian villain and antagonist as he holds the majority of the lines, almost double to that of the protagonist and tragic hero, Othello, giving him power over Othello as well as the space to use the maximum amount of words to manipulate the hero into participating in his crimes. ). Including when, Cassio lost his position, thus, tarnishing his reputation, which benefited Iago using status. In the play of Othello, Othellos character changes dramatically from act one to act four. The handkerchief is then given to. The readers soon comes to realize the reasons for Iago's hate of Othello: the promotion of Cassio instead of himself; the racial prejudice displayed by him; and the rumour that Othello is having an extra-marital relationship with his wife Emilia. In total he talks about money in his short speech eight times, most likely in order to make his message quite clear. To see Iago simply a liar and fraud, while viewing Desdemona as simply pure and fair would flatten Shakespeares depiction of this human reality. Othello still clings to his belief in Iago's truth and Desdemona's guilt, mentioning the handkerchief and Cassio's "confession." When Othello mentions the handkerchief, Emilia erupts, and Iago, no longer certain that he can keep his plots hidden, attempts to silence her with his sword. Thus deciding to devote his life to loathe and revenge rather than walking away. When Othello is gone at war, Iago tells him that Cassio and Desdemona were getting too close. 223-229). It can be argued that perhaps Iagos plan would not have been so successful if it werent for the fact that Cassio was not a good drinker. It has been so easy for Iago to mold the other characters into his plan that it is hilarious to him. Although Othello is named after the Moor of Venice, Bloom comments that it is Iagos play because he predominates the stage and remains in ones mind long after one has finished reading or watching the play (433). Iago represents a spider web who tries to weave his web to ensnare them all. For instance, Cassio and Desdemona were having a friendly conversation, laughing and hugging, which iago went and twisted the story. III. For example, Iago claims casio said sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves in his sleep while grasping and putting his leg around him(3.3.417). Iago Is To Blame In Othello's Tragedy - 1012 Words | Studymode In the play "Othello" Shakespeare's character Iago deceives many of the other characters in the play for the sole purpose of revenge based on his speculation alone. Many characters fall into Iago 's web of deception throughout the book. She states that Iago becomes enraged with Othello because he feels that Othello has something that he lacks in personality. Iago has Roderigo tell Brabantio that Othello is not good enough for Desdemona. He then compares his actions to that of what would be expected from Satan, and shows how far he is willing to go towards acting out his revenge; telling of how even devils put on heavenly faces before committing their biggest sins. Analysis The responsibility of Desdemona's death falls on many different individuals throughout the play. Soon, Othello begins to doubt his wife, as Iago lets his insinuations . Elizabethan England and Italy were patriarchal cultures of honor, where the male name and reputation were prided above all. To What Extent Is Iago Responsible for Othello's Downfall. Particularly his imagery associated with subjects Othello can relate to such as newlywed couples. This use of manipulation is all based on an assumption that Othello has slept with Iagos wife, and this assumption leads to even more horrible events. Iago talks to Cassio about Bianca while telling Othello that the subject of their conversation is the Moors wife. To everyone he is known as Othello or the Moor. In many Shakespearean tragedies the main character 's downfall is usually a consequence of their own action or weaknesses and Othello is no different. The notion of jealousy that lies inside Othello is something that Iago uses to bring down the mighty warrior. Farewell the plumd troops and the big wars. Worse yet, is the inability to sometimes be able to distinguish the difference. Shakespeare continues to craft the mystery behind Iagos motives when Iago describes Othello as a man with constant loving noble nature/ and he dare think hell prove to Desdemona/ a most dear husband (II, I, 214-216). In Shakespeare's Othello, Iago is the main cause of every downfall throughout the play. Iago, a master of how the human mind functions, realises this and so insists that Cassio have a drink, which he eventually does, leading to his demotion from Lieutenant. Iago also manipulates Othello with jealousy. Through Iago's cunning manipulation and Shakespeare's crafting of language, this passage is constructed as a pivotal point of the play, marking the transition of Othello's personality and revealing his deepest insecurities that eventually lead to his downfall and tragic ending. To what extent is Iago responsible for the downfall of other characters in, In this essay I will be discussing how Iago manages to ensure the demise of a number of different characters in. Iago preys on Othello's insecurities by giving him lies and half truths about the fidelity of Desdemona. So in the end he ends up getting what he wanted, revenge. Here, Iagos skill with words and knowledge of his victim, in this case Cassio, are how he manipulates him. Often it is the dark side of human nature that brings a story to life, and there is no sounder proof of this than William Shakespeares masterpiece Othello. To What Extent Is Othello Responsible For His Own Downfall? He knows very well where Othello's internal weaknesses lie and he is able to exploit them in manipulating Othello into doing what he wants him to do. However, How can one be consistently honest over long periods of time? O, farewell,Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,The spirit-stirring drum, thear piercing fife,The royal banner, and all quality,Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war! (III.iii.353359). Therefore, in this case, a large part of Roderigos downfall is a direct result of Iagos manipulation, particularly through his use of language. His and Desdemonas death was a result of Othellos own vulnerability, not necessarily Iagos ingenuity (Christofides, 6). Iago was more qualified than Cassio, in experience and also, as Iago thinks, ability. He is angry with Othello for promoting Michael Cassio, an officer with no real battle experience, to lieutenant over him. He places more value on the opinions of this man as opposed to honest women, which ends up working out fatally for him. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. Iago secretly sets Desdemonas handkerchief in Cassios house so that Othello would find it and come to realize that Iago was telling the truth about her cheating on him.

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