How does Iago poison Othello's mind in Act 3?

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Kate Iliff

    Othello is a character whom from the start, we do not see any flaws within, or within Desdemona’s and his marriage. However, the name ‘Iago’ is synonymous with villainy and evil. He is without much doubt on of Shakespeare’s most popular antagonists, but the question remains as to what actually motivates Iago to betray Othello so and make him ‘hate the moor!’?  It may be because he believes the “lusty Moor hath leap’d into my seat’, out of insecurity within his own marriage, or it could perhaps be ambition about the ignited rage he felt when Cassio was promoted, however, if this is true, then Othello’s downfall is merely a side effect. This therefore leads the reader to believe it is a reason such as those exaggerated and created within his soliloquy’s, one which is more complicated than such, as the deliberate poisoning of Othello’s mind is evident.

     Iago poisons Othello’s mind in a number of ways; firstly through the carefully selected narrative order of his building of the guise of friendship. It seems to be coincidental that all of these events happen within the play and that Iago is present, such as the closeness in relationship and timings of the seemingly adultery moments between Cassio and Desdemona, with Iago to whisper “pestilence” into Othello’s ear. Firstly, the build-up of trust between Othello and Iago built from the events that Iago sometimes himself incurs, but is then lead on by coincidence by other characters, such as Roderigo’s statement and following of Brabantio and Cassio’s annoyance at Roderigo leading to the fight between Cassio and Montano. Here, he displays his ‘loyalty’ to help Othello and the service he leads to him; “General, be advised, he comes to bad intent.”

After the fight scene, Iago again shows his duty to Othello:

“Have you forgot all sense of place and duty?

Hold, the general speaks to you; hold, for shame!”

In Act 3 scene 3, the guise of friendship is stronger because Iago seems to be simply looking out for Othello and that it is within his best interests to tell his thoughts to Othello; “My lord, you know I love you.” Also, he gives him his input on subjects, such as when he says “men should be what they seem,” so that the conversation is also light-hearted, as friends would have with one another. Iago then says in the same scene that he hopes that Othello will consider “what is spoke comes from my love.” This mimics the love in which Iago holds for Othello so that there is little doubt that Iago is lying or tricking the Moor in any way.

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From then on, the narrative attacks towards Othello proress as Iago gains confidence that he is convincing Othello by the replies and actions he sees Othello do. The attacks start briefly and are just a passing comment, such as when Othello agrees and say that “Certain, men should be what they seem”, with Iago replying, “Why then I think Cassio’s an honest man.” This automatically makes Othello think about what Iago has said, perhaps also due to the reluctance in which he shows to talk about this issue and the way in which he seems to convey his knowledge. He ...

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