The actual method that Iago uses to destroy the relationship between Desdemona and Othello is to make Othello believe that Desdemona has made a “cuckold,” out of him by sleeping with Cassio and to continually make Othello think is and remind him of it. To continue with his plan of destroying the relationship, Iago proceeds to get Cassio drunk despite knowing that he has “very poor and unhappy brains for drinking.” It is clear that Iago plans to get him trouble because he gets Roderigo to “find some occasion to anger Cassio,” and this results in a fight with causes Cassio to loose his position in Othello’s service because of the stabbing of Roderigo during the course of the fight. Therefore Iago succeeds in what he was trying to do – make Cassio loose his job.
As a result of the drunken brawl and loosing his job, Cassio has “lost [his] reputation [and] lost the immortal part of [himself].” Therefore it is evident that Cassio is, understandably highly embarrassed and distraught because of his actions. It is because of this that Iago claims to act “in the sincerity of love and honest kindness,” that he advises Cassio to get Desdemona to restore him to his previous position in Othello’s service- “Confess yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you in your place again… This broken joint between you and her husband entreat her to splinter.” As Cassio is willing to do anything and Iago knows this, Cassio will follow Iago’s advice and get Desdemona to help him. What Iago also knows is that Desdemona will try and help Cassio. Therefore, he has completed the first step in destroying the relationship between Desdemona and Othello because he will build on Desdemona’s petitions to her husband to succeed further in his plan.
Desdemona agrees to help Cassio- “Be thou assured good Cassio I will do all my abilities in thy behalf…I will have my lord and you again as friendly as you were.” Therefore, this is an example of how Iago manipulates both Desdemona and Cassio into helping him cause both of their downfalls as well as Othello’s and in doing so, destroying the relationship between Desdemona and Othello; whist at the same time giving the impression that he is “kind and honest.” This shows just how well Iago is able to use his outward appearance and also to some extent people’s own weaknesses to get what he wants. Therefore this is an example of dramatic irony being used because the audience has a clear idea of how Iago’s character really is, which is dishonest, disloyal and a liar; where as on the other hand all the characters in the play perceive Iago to be honest, loyal and noble.
Desdemona does begin to petition Othello and tries to restore Cassio’s reputation in her husband’s eye, however this has little effect on - “Now, sweet Desdemon, some other time.” It is not until Iago makes a seemingly innocent query of “did Michael Cassio, when you wooded my lady, know of your love?” that Othello’s suspicion is aroused- “By heaven, he echoes me, as if some monster in his thoughts.” This is an example of imagery and shows that Othello is picturing “monstrous,” thoughts in Iago’s head. Iago has gone as far as to mention both Cassio’s and Desdemona’s names together and so this makes Othello wonder if there is something suspicious going on between them, however Othello is neither sure what it is and even if it is true and so Iago has successfully confused him.
It is clear that Othello is now slightly suspicious of Desdemona and Cassio. Despite this, he still believes that Desdemona is virtuous as he points out “she had eyes and chose me.” However Iago reminds Othello that “she did deceive her father.” This reminds him that she did, but still believes that she is true to him “I do not think but Desdemona’s honest,” Othello states that before he believes otherwise he wants proof as shown by “I’ll see before I doubt.” Therefore this shows that Othello is not completely taken in by the rumours and believes Desdemona over Iago. Despite this, Iago advises Othello to “look to [his] wife, observe her well with Cassio.” Iago also plays on the fact that that Othello is a stranger to Venice and so does not know what happens, such as “in Venice they do not let God see the pranks they dare not show their husbands.” This shows that because Othello does not know all the ways and customs in Venice, Iago uses this fact to his advantage. It is clear that Othello believes Iago, as he answers rather pathetically “dost thou say so?” Iago almost seems to prove his point by reminding Othello that “she did deceive her father, marrying you.” This is clearly doing more than just reminding Othello that it is not the first time that Desdemona has deceived someone, it is also putting ideas of Desdemona’s infidelity into Othello’s head and yet he replies again in a rather a pathetic way “and so she did,” thus showing that Iago’s words are having the desired effect upon Othello. Therefore this shows that Iago’s plan of destroying the relationship between Desdemona and Othello is beginning to work. It is clear that Iago has realised that at last his doings are beginning to work as he comments that “I see this hath dashed your sprits.” However Othello denies this by saying “not a jot.” Despite his evil scheme, Iago continues to pretend that he is “loyal,” as he does thorough the entire play. This is shown by his seeming concerned attitude- “I’faith, I fear it has.” Not only this, but he convincingly lies to everyone thought, about to whom he is loyal. For instance he claims that “Cassio’s my worthy friend,” when he is plotting to bring him down along with Desdemona and Othello and has already caused him to loose his job.
Yet despite him seemingly having been taken in by Iago’s lies, Othello is still not absolutely convinced about Desdemona’s unfaithfulness. It is possible that Othello finds it hard to comprehend that Desdemona is anything but true. For example he comments that “if she be false, O heaven mocks itself.” This shows that she seems so perfect and therefore she could never be unfaithful. In this case, heaven is used as a metaphor. Othello is used to see Desdemona as being so perfect that she was like “heaven.” Therefore this shows that because Othello believes Desdemona to be so perfect he finds it hard to comprehend that she may be “false.” However Othello clearly mistrust Desdemona as he asks Iago to “set on thy wife to observe.” This shows that Othello does not know what to believe. It is plausible to think that Othello would like to believe that Desdemona is true and yet due to Iago’s accusations, he can not quite bring himself to think that and there are now questions in his head. Thus Iago has been able to successfully deceive and confuse him so far what also becomes apparent is just how trusting Othello is of Iago, for example “this fellow’s of exceeding honesty.” This is shows the extent to which Othello trusts Iago and has been taken in by him.
The handkerchief which is the main object used to destroy the relationship between Othello and Desdemona is first mentioned in Act 3 Scene 3. Emilia, who is not only Iago’s wife but also Desdemona’s maid, comments that “I am glad I have found this [handkerchief] … My wayward husband hath a hundred times wooed me to steal it.” Therefore it is not only Cassio, Desdemona and Othello that Iago carefully manipulates, but also his own wife. It is apparent that Emilia does not know why Iago has begged her to steal it, as shown by “what he will do with it, heaven knows, not I.” Therefore this shows that despite being employed by Desdemona, Emilia is loyal to her husband above anyone else; much like Desdemona is to Othello.
Iago appears to be pleased his plan is going. He notices that “the Moor already changes with my poison,” and so this shows the satisfaction and enjoyment he gets from destroying the relationship between Desdemona and Othello. Othello is clearly in despair. He appears to appeal to the Gods with his use of “O,” in his speech, for example “O, farewell.” Although not immediately obvious, Othello is the hero of this Shakespearean tragedy. Therefore this is appealing to the Gods is significant because it signifies the hero appealing to greater powers, often supernatural and so shows certain failings in even the hero. It is clear by now that Othello is a broken man all because of the torment Iago has caused him by putting ideas into his head. Yet Iago takes great delight in his torment. Despite the fact that Othello believes Iago, he claims he still wants “ocular proof.” Thus this presents another challenge for Iago. Yet Othello seemingly backs down on his desire for “ocular proof,” and now wants Iago to “make [him] see’t or at least, so prove it.” Therefore Iago only has to “prove it,” to make Othello truly believe that Desdemona has been unfaithful. Although Iago does not provide Othello with any “ocular proof,” he seemingly provides this by telling a great deal of lies of what he has overheard Cassio crying out in his sleep. For instance “I heard him say ‘sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our love,’ and then …kissed me hard…then laid his leg over my thigh.” Iago uses really graphic images to further convince Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful. He claims that Cassio has laid “with her, on her, what you will.” However this is done in such a subtle way that he barely suggests this idea before Othello believes it. These graphic images cause imagery in both Othello’s mind and also in the audiences mind. These images almost cause Othello to believe that this has taken place and so in a way this provides the ocular proof that Othello requests. Othello is clearly taken in by this and his attitude turns from that of despair to rage and exclaims “I’ll tear her all to pieces!” Iago also invents “other proofs,” and so to further confuses Othello but also heightens his anger against Desdemona. Othello’s reaction to the many lies that Iago tells is to fall into an epileptic “fit.”
Iago has convincingly fooled Othello into believing that he is indeed being cuckolded that he exclaims “now I do see ‘tis true.” Therefore Othello has been totally convinced without having any real “proof.” Iago’s plan has worked so well that Othello even asks him to kill Cassio- “within three days let me hear thee say that Cassio’s not alive.” Therefore it is possible that that Iago’s plan is seemingly worked better than he could have hoped for, this is because Iago has also succeeded in creating the downfall of his rival Cassio. The main proof that Othello has of Desdemona being unfaithful is based around the handkerchief which Iago has managed to persuade Emilia to steal from Desdemona and put in Cassio’s possession.
Iago presents himself in a completely different way to the characters of the play to how the audience perceives him to be and also how his personality and attitude really is. Therefore this is an example of dramatic irony and is the reason why Iago is able to get away with the things he does without people having any suspicions. For example it is obvious only to the audience that Iago is really a conniving, evil lair compared with how the characters perceive him which is “most honest,” and “a man of…trust,” It is possible that people believe him firstly because they have no real reason to suspect him and also because Othello trusts Iago and people respect and look up to Othello they may also trust Iago because of this
Iago also tailors his language to adapt to certain situations. For example prose is usually the typical form of richer, more highly educated people such as the Duke
“When remedies are past the griefs are ended
By seeing the worst which late on hopes depended.”
Whereas less noble people such as Iago tend to speak in verse most of the time and yet occasionally Iago does speak in prose:
“I have’t. It is endangered. Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light,” and so shows how skilled Iago is at disguising his personality and appearance in order to fool people and so succeed in his plan to cause the breakdown of the relationship between Desdemona and Othello.
Structure is also essential for the success of Iago’s mission. For example Iago constantly works on destroying the relationship throughout the play. Also Iago tends to distance himself from the action, such as the fight between Cassio and Roderigo. By doing this, Iago escapes from the blame. Many of the scenes take place at night and so this provides an element of secrecy to the action which helps to disguise Iago’s actions, for example Act 1 Scene 1. Also towards the end of the play, the action takes place in increasingly private places away from people such as inside. This means that there are fewer people to become suspicious of Iago which could ultimately cause his plan to fail.
Therefore the ways in which Iago destroys the relationship between Desdemona and Othello are largely by constantly putting doubts into Othello’s mind and gradually building upon them into particularly graphic images. Also by lying to everybody, particularly Othello and even using people such as his wife to help him succeed, mainly without their knowledge or consent. Iago also manipulates people so well that they partially cause their own downfall; for instance suggesting to Cassio to get Desdemona to appeal to Othello to rehire Cassio.
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2,970