Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Iago's chess pieces

I'd just like to outline Iago's methods of manipulation with several of the other characters in William Shakespeare's Othello
1) Brabantio:  Iago swayed this father that his daughter had been shamefully swiped from his possession, and that her honor was being defiled by a black man.  He somehow got Brabantio to forget the fact that he had for a long while LIKED Othello, and convinced him to hate the man who stole his Desdemona.
2) Cassio:  Iago is using false friendship to sway Cassio his way.  As far as Cassio is concerned, he "never knew a Florentine more kind and honest" (III. 1. 38-39).  Cassio doesn't realize that the only reason he got drunk, was fired, and is now loathed by Othello is because of the workings of Iago! 
3) Roderigo:  He is basically Iago's worthless henchman.  Iago cares not for him, but controls his money and knows he can get Roderigo to do anything if he spins it into a scheme on how to gain the love of Desdemona.
4) Othello:  Iago has cleverly managed to create the makings of Othello's ruin, while still staying in his good graces.  Othello, along with everyone else, believes Iago to be honest and pure.  Every time Iago is backed into a corner, he uses words and subtle hints to make everyone see the situation in the way that he wishes him or her to.

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