Manipulation Strategies of Iago in Shakespeare's Play "Othello"

People aren’t built out of perfection because we all live in a world full of lies and deception. It is naturally common in society that people are bound to have their own weaknesses and tragic flaws. Eventually, at some point in time, there will be that one person out there who’ll view it as valuable information to only use their weak points against them.

In Shakespeare’s play Othello, Iago, the main antagonist, is portrayed as a heartless, power-hungry character who undoubtedly desires to bring the downfall of Othello, so he can rise to superiority. He’s an example of why people like him can simply control and manipulate others just using their weaknesses. Thus, manipulation ends up being a major theme and plays a key role in this Shakespeare’s play because Iago manipulates everyone around him by using their weaknesses and tragic flaws against them such as Roderigo’s sense of foolishness, Cassio’s trusting nature, and making Othello’s self-conscious in his marriage with Desdemona.

Iago's manipulations with different characters

Roderigo

Roderigo is known to a blind fool for the uncontrollable lust and love he has for Desdemona and would do anything to win her heart. And because of this, Iago easily convinces Roderigo and made him believe that they will end up together.

But, how come Roderigo is too foolish to see what’s really going on behind the scenes? How did that affect his decision-making and how come he couldn’t avoid the bad ones? According to Susan Peaboy’s, “Addiction to Love: Overcoming Obsession and Dependency in Relationship” (2011), Ms. Peaboy explains the characteristics and personalities about obsessed love addicts (OLAs). “They’re the types of people who are totally taken over by their own romantic passion,” Ms. Peaboy stated. Obsessed love addicts can come in many forms, but they will always chase after people who are unavailable, emotionally distant, or in other words, will never have any real chances with them. For example, in Act 1 (Scene 3), since Roderigo craves for Desdemona’s love and attention so badly, he becomes addicted to having romantic fantasies with her. In this scene, Roderigo confessed to Iago by saying, “What should I do? I know it’s foolish to be so much in love, but I can’t help it. (Act 1. 3. 305-306, pg. 18). This quote depicts Roderigo’s sense of foolishness to become clear to the audience and the more he waits to be noticed by Desdemona, the more his love and lust for her grows. However, this is the moment where Iago realizes that Roderigo has a weakness and begins by taking advantage of it.

From here on out, Iago plays around with Roderigo’s sense of foolishness and ignorance to benefit his advantages on successfully contributing towards the downfall of Othello. Sooner or later, Roderigo’s love for Desdemona, the woman of his dreams, began to hopelessly grow as he waits to be recognized and noticed by all of the gifts, jewels, and money he specifically delivered to her. Since Iago knows that Roderigo’s devotion for Desdemona is his true weakness, it’s because he would do almost about anything to righteously win and earn her heart. However, with the unfulfilled wishes and promises that never left Roderigo fully satisfied, Iago dupes Roderigo that all of his wealth and fortune is being sent to the woman he truly lusts for. When in reality, it’s being sent to Iago and he plans to keep all of Roderigo’s wealth for himself. After Iago in Act 1 (Scene 3), he persuades Roderigo to sell all of his lands to achieve Desdemona’s love in return. Iago secretly directed towards the audience about how much of a blind fool Roderigo is. Iago stated,

“That’s how I always do it, getting money from fools. I’d be wasting my skills dealing with an idiot like that if I couldn’t get something useful out of him." (Act 1. 3. 320-323, pg. 20).

This quote reveals that not only Iago is misleading Roderigo about his chances to ever get closer to Desdemona, but is also lying based on the fact about where all of his wealth and fortune are truly being sent to or perhaps being kept.

In Robert Noggle’s, “Ethics of Manipulation” (2018), he describes multiple tactics that can be freely used to influence the decision making upon the person you’re trying to control and manipulate. For instance, Robert Noggle said, “Each of these tactics could reasonably be called a form of manipulation. Many also have more specific, commonplace names, such as “guilt trip” (tactic 3), “gaslighting” (tactic 8), “peer pressure” (tactic 5), and “emotional blackmail” (tactic 6). Now, he did mention that not all of these tactics are one-hundred percent guaranteed to work because according to different circumstances in different situations, the outcomes can differentiate. For example, when Roderigo and Iago were conversing about Desdemona, Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona is having a secret affair with Cassio. This made Roderigo question what kind of a person she is, and Iago succeeds in doubting his evaluation for it. In shock, Roderigo proclaimed, “I can’t believe that. She’s not that kind of woman. She’s very moral. (Act 2. 1. 232-233, pg. 28). In this quote, Iago used one of those manipulation tactics that made Roderigo doubt his own judgment, so the next time Roderigo needed the advice to get closer to Desdemona, he would rely on Iago for it.

According to Act 4 (Scene 1-2), it depicts that Roderigo finally came to his senses and realizes that he’s been fooled by Iago’s trickeries. He lost all of his precious jewels that have been specially delivered to Desdemona, only desperately hoping that he will eventually get closer to her. Roderigo draws his sword and confronts Iago as he claimed,

“Every day you put me off with some trick. Instead of finding opportunities for me, you seem to be preventing me from making any progress. Well, I won’t take it any longer. And I’m not going to sit back and accept what you’ve done." (Act 4. 2. 181-185, pg. 83).

Evidently speaking, this quote states that the clueless Roderigo finally became aware of Iago’s true actions and doesn’t want him to escape with all of his treasury and wealthy possessions. Alas, once again the master of deception tricked Roderigo’s sense of ignorance and with a little bit of persuasion, instantly made Roderigo believe every single and little word about this “successful” plan of his.

At last, the final Act (5) (in Scene 1), when Iago and Roderigo were plotting to murder Cassio, Iago let his servant perform the sinful deed as he watches the toll of Cassio’s death unfolds. In the end, Iago ultimately chooses to kill Roderigo as he no longer needs him to fully accomplish his desire of wanting to get revenge on Othello. Iago declared,

“If Roderigo survives, though, he’ll ask me for all the gold and jewelry that I stole from him and said I gave to Desdemona. I can’t let that happen. If Cassio survives, he’s so handsome and well-spoken that he makes me look ugly. And besides, the Moor might tell him about my lies about him. —That would be very dangerous for me. No, he’s got to die. Let it be so. I hear him coming." (Act 5. 1. 14-22, pg. 89).

Iago took advantage of Roderigo for so long that when Roderigo has no more use or value towards him, he just disposes of him without a second thought. Mainly in Iago’s eyes, Roderigo is just a weak pawn who has been blinded by his own lust and love for Desdemona.

In the end, Roderigo’s foolishness gets the best of himself and because he easily gave in Iago’s words of manipulation, it not only brought the downfall of Othello but some of the other characters that are included the play as well.

Cassio

Secondly, in Act 1 (Scene 1), Iago talks about how he deserved lieutenant's position that Michael Cassio received. He mentions how he’s inexperienced in fighting, and how Othello’s choice wronged him because he’s only been favoring Cassio more than him. Iago angrily stated, “And I know my own worth well enough to know that I deserve that position. (Act 1. 1. 12-13, pg. 1). This quote explains why Iago was furiously enraged and how it became one of the reasons why he wants to make Othello’s life so miserable because of it. As a result, Iago exploits Cassio’s trusting nature by acting like Cassio’s best friend. When behind his back, Iago backstabs him and is the reason as to why he no longer serves as Othello’s lieutenant anymore. In the article, “Trust Issues: Why Is It So Hard for Some People to Trust?” (2000), by Joyce Catlett, M. A. defined what the term “trust” really means to others and provides a few examples about why trust significantly depends on the people we surround ourselves with. She explained and defined that, “Trust means a firm belief in the reliability, truth, or strength of someone or something. For example, we trust people who are benevolent towards us, who have integrity, and whose actions correspond to their words. We trust someone we can count on to consistently do what is right. Her explanation in this quote states that we tend to give away trust to specific types of people who are honest, loyal, and someone we can constantly rely on.

Although, because Cassio has a drinking problem, he exposed his own weakness directly to Iago which led his own downfall by being forced to be demoted from his rank. Furthermore, when Iago peer pressured Cassio in Act 2 (Scene 3) to drink alcohol in honor to celebrate Othello and Desdemona’s marriage, at first he hesitated the thought of drinking because he claimed he wasn’t much of a “heavy drinker. Cassio insisted,

“I’ve already had a glass of wine tonight, watered down, but look how drunk I am. I’m not a heavy drinker. I wouldn’t dare drink much more than that." (Act 2. 3. 25-28, pg. 31-32).

In the end, he eventually gave himself in and got caught in a drunken melee fight with Roderigo. Which as a result, caused Cassio to not only lose his position as a lieutenant but demotes his value of importance that he serves in the city of Venice too. When Iago and Cassio were conversating and Cassio had a mental breakdown, Iago advises Cassio a way he can earn his rank as a lieutenant again. Although, since Cassio’s trusting nature got the best of him, he stated that his advice was surprisingly helpful and perhaps beneficial. In desperate measures and times such as Cassio’s, he stated,

“I believe it completely. Early in the morning I’ll go visit Desdemona and plead my case. My situation is desperate." (Act 2. 3. 243-245, pg. 40).

Cassio’s trusting nature became quite visible when he lost the value of his reputation and because he considered Iago as a true friend, Cassio listened and took his advice well.

As Iago claimed that he cared about Cassio’s well-being, in his soliloquy, it follows up with Iago sarcastically stating, “Who can say I’m evil when my advice is so good?” (Act 2. 3. 245, pg. 40). In the master-mind of this manipulator, Iago further plots even more against Cassio by giving him the benefit of hope that he can earn Othello’s trust by talking it out with his wife, Desdemona, so he can serve as his lieutenant once again. Iago advises, “Any man can get drunk sometimes. I’ll tell you what to do. Othello’s wife has a lot of influence now. He’s completely devoted to her. Go open your heart to her. Ask her to help you get back your position. She is so generous, kind, and ready to help that she thinks it’s wrong not to do everything she can, even more than she is asked to do. Ask her to help you heal the rift between her husband and you. I’d bet my lucky stars your problem will be forgotten, and your relationship will be stronger than ever. (Act 2. 3. 229-239, pg. 40).

However, later in the play when Cassio talks it out with her about the loss of his reputation, Iago will suspiciously point it out to Othello that it appears that every time they’re together, there’s a possibility that they could be having a secret affair with each other. Overall, Iago manipulates Cassio’s trusting nature by taking advantage of it, only to betray Cassio for it with the help using the disguise of trust and friendship.

Othello

Last of all, in Act 3 (Scene 3) Iago poisons Othello’s mind with words that’ll invoke his insecurities in their relationship, and cause him to doubt and question Desdemona’s loyalty towards him too. According to Donald G. Dutton’s, “Intimacy‐Anger and Insecure Attachment as Precursors of Abuse in Intimate Relationships” (1994), it provided statistics and information about domestic abuse or any kind of form of abuse in any intimate relationships on why it happens. For example, it claimed that “One hundred and twenty men referred for treatment for wife assault and forty demographic controls completed self‐report questionnaires assessing attachment patterns, anger, jealousy, Borderline Personality Organization, and trauma symptoms.

The concept of assault and abuse in intimate or close relationships links itself with not just jealousy or intimacy anger, but along with trauma symptoms, Borderline Personality Disorder, and etc. The only time Othello laid a hand on his wife was when he was going through extreme frustration and anger on debating who to believe, which caused him to slap her out of rage for it. Despite the contrary, Iago then brings up Desdemona’s love secret involvement with Cassio, and because of it, causes Othello to become even more self-conscious as he falls straight down into Iago’s pit. For example, Iago brings up the past about the time when Othello’s wife betrayed her father because she was dishonest. Iago suggested, “She lied to her father to marry you. And when she pretended to be afraid of you, she loved you the most. (Act 3. 3. 211-213, pg. 51). According to what Iago said, he’s attempting to convey that because she deceived her own father, it’s highly likely that Desdemona will betray and lie to Othello as well.

During that time period, since women were known to be very disloyal and unfaithful, it drove Othello’s perspective on Desdemona to immediately go wild. Othello exclaimed,

“I swear, I think my wife’s faithful, and I think she’s not. I think you’re trustworthy one minute and then not the next. I need proof! Her reputation was as pure as the snow, but now it’s as dirty and black as my own face. As long as there are ropes, knives, poison, fire, or streams to drown in, I won’t stand for this. Oh, how I wish I knew the truth!” (Act 3. 3. 393-400, pg. 56).

As one can evidently see, the naive Othello gave in and allowed Iago’s poison to sink in his mind. For this matter, his feelings for Desdemona becomes complicated for her.

At the end of the day, an overwhelming amount of doubt and jealousy grows on Othello like a thunderous cloud raining on his head. Furthermore, Iago continues to contaminate his mind with lies causing him to feel uncertain and in disbelief, enough to make him go against Desdemona in any way. Othello infuriated,

“Damn her, the wicked whore! Oh, damn her, damn her! Come away with me. I’m going inside to think up some way to kill that beautiful devil. You’re my lieutenant now." (Act 3. 3. 484-487, pg. 59).

This quote depicts Othello’s frustration for Desdemona, and because Cassio no longer serves as his lieutenant, he promoted Iago to his long-desired position. The irony in this is that Othello would somehow be automatically willing to trust Iago despite that there’s no real proof that his wife is cheating, but would continue to doubt to believe whether or not Desdemona’s loyalty ever existed for him in the first place. Iago comes to a realization that if Othello were to ruin Cassio and Desdemona’s lives altogether, it would slowly destroy himself too. As a result, because Iago plays around with Othello’s self-conscious and insecurities, he exploited his own weakness. Thus, caused Othello, himself to bring upon his own downfall. Now, knowing what Iago is capable of, he’s not the type of guy you want to mess with. No one likes getting manipulated, and when others think of the term “manipulation, ” they view it as a bad thing.

Summary and conclusion

Even though Iago is our main antagonist, is he really the bad guy in the play? People may argue that he was just simply insecure, or enraged with pure jealousy because he didn’t earn his desired position as lieutenant. According to the article, “In Defense of Iago” (1995) written by Marvin Rosenberg demonstrates an opinionated explanation as to why Iago is not guilty of all of the evil events that occurred in the play. “I would like to defend Iago against the charge that he was a decent man--a man, that is, who injured only after he was provoked to do so, ” claimed Marvin Rosenberg. Yes, I agree, but I don’t believe that Iago “provoking” is entirely the reason as to why he would ruin like to split Othello’s happy marriage apart, stole all of Roderigo’s wealth for himself, and attempted to murder Cassio behind his back were all just simply out of pure “anger”. He definitely knew what he was capable of doing at the time, and the more he came up with wicked schemes to ruin others around him, the more he appeared to brutally enjoy it.

After Cassio lost his position because of his major drinking problem, Iago then planned to get Desdemona and Othello involved to instigate chaos and drama between each other. If Iago wasn’t evil and just wanted to fulfill his desire of getting his revenge, he could’ve just came up with an excuse as to why Cassio shouldn’t deserve that position as lieutenant. However, Iago didn’t, and he continued to ruin the lives of others that didn’t even do him any harm because him being the mastermind of manipulation, secretly enjoys it.

To end it off, Iago manipulates and takes advantages of all those characters’ weaknesses and tragic flaws to fulfill his evil plan on bringing the downfall of Othello and others included. The foolish Roderigo, trustful Cassio, and insecure Othello all fell for Iago’s huge trap. They all fell for his lies and cunning schemes, as he ruthlessly manipulates them all under his control. He successfully fulfilled his huge scheme by having almost everyone from Othello to be entangled in the mess Iago, himself created. Manipulation is a huge major theme that definitely plays a key role in Othello because it’s the main center of all the evil events that took place in the play.

The mastermind of manipulation caused the downfall of not just Othello only, but many downfalls of others as well. Now, he continues to wear and live under the massive weight with all the consequences of his actions, and the grudge for the number of deaths he caused that occurred along with the whole entire play as well.

References

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