Hester 13s
“For all that Iago is acting out of hatred, there is much for an audience to enjoy his manipulation of Othello.” To what extent do you agree and why.
Shakespeare’s Iago is one of his most complex and notorious villains. He is not like the typical Shakespearean villain such as Edmund in King Lear. The audience feels more able to relate to and understand Iago, making him at times seem like the most important character in the play. The statement “for all that Iago is acting out of hatred, there is much for an audience to enjoy in his manipulation of Othello” is interesting to look at as it makes us question why the audience find Iago so interesting and compelling. It is in act three where Iago’s manipulation of Othello is most visible as it is the turning point of the play, when Iago manages to beguile Othello into thinking that Desdemona is unfaithful.
With Iago’s manipulation, there certainly is much for the audience to enjoy. He is a very cunning and crafty man, and he is obviously very clever. The main way that Iago manages to manipulate people so well, especially Othello is by gaining their trust. He realises just how important trust is in the matter and that without Othello’s trust he would not get him to believe anything he said. Iago’s recognition of this is very important; it shows off just how clever Iago really is. As the reader we have the advantage of knowing everything that goes on, therefore we can see exactly what Iago is doing, and how well he is manipulating Othello. He gains Othello’s trust by constantly saying thing such as ‘My lord, you know I love you.’ Once Othello trusts him, what he says is more likely to be believed. Othello is a true master of deception. He manages to cleverly put thoughts into peoples head simply by suggesting things and not actually ever mentioning any solid evidence. He suggests that Cassio is not a trustworthy by simply saying he thinks Cassio may not be trustworthy. By never giving any clear evidence, Iago suggests that Cassio may not be what he seems. However, Othello pleads him to go on ‘speak to me as to thy thinkings.’ Cleverly, Iago has made Othello believe Cassio should not be trusted, simply by suggesting that men should be trustworthy. Iago’s ability to plant thoughts into peoples heads make him a very interesting character to watch. Throughout the whole of Othello and Iago’s speech, Iago constantly says things like ‘I perchance am vicious in my guess’ constantly reminding Othello that he could be wrong – thereby he cannot really take the blame for anything Othello does or thinks as a result.
