Iago’s quick thinking allows him to always be one step ahead. Throughout Othello, we see Iago continuously plotting and scheming “I have use for it,” III.iii.321. By using just a handkerchief he gets what he wants. That is why Iago is so clever, whatever he does results in something disastrous and for him to achieve it, is all very simple. Now that Iago has the full trust of Othello, he now has power over him. Othello believes Iago to be his friend, when in fact he is his enemy. However this is part of Iago’s monstrous plan to destroy Othello. Iago expresses his need to serve Othello but more importantly it is an expression of Iago’s love-hate relationship with Othello. He sees straight away that the only way he can be close to Othello is by destroying those who Othello loves: Cassio and Desdemona. Othello does not return Iago’s love and this forces Iago to be goaded into destroying Othello.
One of Iago’s main advantages is that he knows people and therefore knows their weaknesses. Each of the characters have vulnerabilities and traits that make them ripe for Iago’s plan of destruction. Michael Cassio is easily manipulated. He is very involved with his work as lieutenant in Othello’s army. He also continues to see the good in people even when they do him wrong. He continues to stay loyal to Othello, even after he is publicly humiliated and stripped of his duties by him. His public displays of weakness also make him a likely target for manipulation. “Mere prattle without practice,” I.i.26. His weakness is displayed even more when he begs Desdemona to talk to Othello to regain his job “Your true servant,” III.iii.9. Othello the “Moor” I.iii.350, is a very trusting person, and this makes him vulnerable and open to Iago’s malicious plan. His involvement with Desdemona translates into a deeper trust. When Iago creates rumours of Desdemona’s involvement with Cassio, Othello, already insecure about himself, falls deep into Iago’s trap.
Othello also has insecurities about his race. He is an “old, black ram,” I.i.89, who is not representative of the people he’s defending. He is very conscious and involved with his image. This constant comparison to other men, who are nothing like him, creates a greater insecurity within himself. Iago uses Othello’s race and age to turn people against him therefore making him less popular in the already racist Venetian society. Othello and Cassio are opposite which is why Othello made Cassio his lieutenant. The bond between Othello and Cassio is symbolized by the way in which Othello makes Cassio his second wife. Othello feels a double injury in his belief in Cassio’s deception, for Cassio has both violated Desdemona’s purity and violated the bond between himself and Othello.
Iago’s ability to ingratiate himself with people makes him appear to be the innocent party. Iago’s feelings towards Othello contain an erotic component as can be seen in Act III iii, which is when Iago convinces Othello of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness and Othello vows revenge. For Othello and Iago love becomes hate, and hate becomes love and the distinction between these two feelings are constantly being blurred. This is shown when Othello symbolically breaks his vows with Desdemona and Iago forms a vow with Othello saying, “I am your own forever,” III.iii.480
Iago’s use of language is a primary weapon in manipulating Othello. By “pouring this pestilence into his ear,” Iago contaminates his thoughts. Many references are made to animals in the play. Iago uses beast imagery “as hot as monkeys” III.iii.404 to express his contempt and to denigrate those he despises. It also becomes evident that Othello’s mind has been corrupted by Iago’s evil handiwork when he too starts to use the same sort of animal imagery in his speech. Iago’s sexually explicit language has a major impact on Othello, quickly turning his sexualized jealousy into hate. Iago uses alliteration “grossly gape” III.iii.396 very well in order to achieve the appalled response from Othello. Iago’s timing of delivery is also immaculate because he knows just what to say and when to say it. Iago wants Othello to believe that he is his companion, so he lets Othello do most of the talking in order to bring back his confidence and make him feel in charge. But then Iago will make one small remark and leave Othello to wallow in his self-pity. Iago asks rhetorical questions and uses loaded language to really emphasize the points that he is making. It obviously works because Othello believes every word that comes from Iago’s mouth, even though there is no evidence.
From his actions in the play, one sees that Iago is a gifted manipulator of other people who uses underhanded schemes, manipulation of others, and betrayal at appropriate times. Othello is a play about one man, not Othello, but Iago. It is Iago’s own jealousy which enables him to provoke the same feeling in others, to use them to his own advantage, or at least to their disadvantage. The reason Iago is such a successful schemer is the ability his own jealousy provides him with of recognising the potential for the same feeling in others, and to exploit to gain his own ends. Iago likes to have power over any situation, and has to be in charge. Iago indulges in tormenting others and so is perceived as the devil personified. The whole play is very simple, Iago’s plans are very simple, and so are his reasons, which is why it is so easy for him to mislead Othello. Iago knows what he’s doing, and he loves it.
