How has Iago made his ‘medicine work’ on Othello? Discuss the reasons for Othello’s credulity that allows it to work.

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"My medicine, work: thus credulous fools are caught."

How has Iago made his 'medicine work' on Othello? Discuss the reasons for Othello's credulity that allows it to work.

cred·u·lous

adj.

. Disposed to believe too readily; gullible.

2. Arising from or characterised by credulity.

From Latin, credulus, to believe.

jeal·ous

adj.

. Fearful or wary of being supplanted; apprehensive of losing affection or position.

a. Resentful or bitter in rivalry; envious: jealous of the success of others.

b. Inclined to suspect rivalry.

2. Having to do with or arising from feelings of envy, apprehension, or bitterness: jealous thoughts.

3. Vigilant in guarding something: We are jealous of our good name.

4. Intolerant of disloyalty or infidelity; autocratic: a jealous God.

Middle English jelous, from Old French gelos, jealous, zealous, from Vulgar Latin *zlsus, from

Late Latin zlus, zeal. See zeal.

Act/Scene/Line references will be in the format, [I. ii. 20]. This would be Act 1, Scene 2, line 20.

Let us first look at Iago's motives for wanting to hurt Othello.

In scene I of the play we see Othello, a black general of Venice and the supposed hero of the story, has made Cassio, another foreigner ("One Michael Cassio, a Florentine" Iago [I. i. 20]), his new lieutenant. Iago feels he deserved the promotion as he says, "I am worth no worse a place." [I. i. 11]. Iago feels that Cassio's experience is purely theoretical ("Mere prattle without practice is all his soldiership." Iago [I. i. 26-27]) whereas he has proven his worth in battle ("And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof at Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds..." Iago [I. i. 28-29]). Immediately after this we see Iago's desire for revenge when he tells Roderigo "I follow him to serve my term upon him."[l. i. 42].

Iago also seems to believe that Othello has slept with Emilia, Iago's own wife. "For that I do suspect the lusty moor hath leapt into my seat..." Iago, [II, i, 276-277]. This is basically Iago saying he thinks Othello has been taking Iago's place in his own bed... with Emilia.

At then end of Act I Scene 3, Iago is left alone on stage and reveals to the audience his plan for revenge on Othello and Cassio. He says, "...to abuse Othello's ear that he (Cassio) is too familiar with his (Othello) wife..." - Iago, [I, iii, 77-78]. What Iago means by this is that he will persuade Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona, Othello's wife. Iago also comments: "The Moor is of a free and open nature, that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will...be led by the nose as asses are." - Iago, [I, iii, 381-384]. This is a reference to Othello's credulity, the weakness that Iago intends to exploit.

Iago's first starts to arouse Othello's suspicions in Act III Scene 3. At the beginning of this scene, Cassio is talking to Desdemona. Desdemona tells him: "I will have my lord and you again as friendly as you were." [III, iii, 6-7]. He has asked her to win back Othello's favour for him. Soon after this, Othello and Iago enter. Within six lines, Cassio has left. Immediately after his departure, Iago comments: "Ha! I like not that." [III, iii, 34]. Upon questioning by Othello, Iago rouses suspicion by avoiding a direct answer. He says, "Nothing, my lord; or if - I know not what." [III, iii, 36]. He begins to tell Othello what he thinks but then stops. Again being questioned by his master, Iago remarks: "...I cannot think it that he (Cassio) would steal away so guilty-like, seeing you coming..." [III, iii, 38-40]. So Othello has just seen his disgraced ex-lieutenant talking to his wife, seen the officer skulk away when he arrives and now Iago comments on the fact, using words such as "steal" and "guilty". This is classic manipulation on Iago's part, and yet still there is more to come! After Desdemona nags Othello to reinstate Cassio, Iago asks: "Did Michael Cassio when you wooed my lady, know of your love?" [III, iii, 93-94] Iago says he asked the question merely "for a satisfaction of my thought", however Othello is intrigued and continues to dig. Iago avoids an answer by simply repeating Othello's questions until Othello gets angry and demands of Iago: "If thou dost love me, show me thy thought" [III, iii, 116-117]. Iago replies with the blatant lie, "My lord, you know I love you". Now we see one of the many cunning facets of Iago's deceit. He mixes his lies of love and trust with the truth when he says, "For Michael Cassio...I think that he is honest". Using similar tactics in line 127, Iago tells Othello: "Men should be what they seem." Not only does this imply that Iago is what he seems - and we know that he is not - but also that Cassio is not what he seems. In one simple (if idealistic statement) Iago has managed to warp Othello's perception of Cassio and improve his own standing. Iago continues to gradually eat away at Othello's trust using such tricks and deceits.
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Othello goes from saying, "... my relief must be to loathe her. Oh curse of marriage..." to, "I'll not believe it." He's feeling very confused and doesn't know whether to believe his trusted ancient, Iago, or Iagos' wife, Emilia. In the end he decided to give her the benefit of the doubt until Iago provides him with more evidence.

In the middle of this scene, Desdemona enters and drops her handkerchief while trying to aid Othello. Emilia takes the opportunity to steal it and tells the audience, "My wayward husband hath a hundred times wooed me ...

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