In the tragedy of “Othello”, drama causes many back to back deaths to occur as the story develops. Iago feels robbed of his position of a higher military status, after Othello decides to promote Michael Cassio instead, leading to most of the tragic moments in the story. Shakespeare attempts to show the reader the negative impact of betrayal on someone’s trust through Iago and Othello’s mislead relationship. From the very beginning of the tragedy, Iago is perceived as someone who is to not be trusted. Roderigo trusts Iago to tell him of Desdemona’s interests in order to gain more knowledge of her. Iago is trusted by Roderigo as to help him convince and win over Desdemona’s heart, not knowing Iago would be the one to betray him later on in the story. The great irony of this is that later on in the play; Iago, the main culprit and betrayer of the tragedy, will feel betrayed by Othello. Iago believes the misconception that Othello had an affair with his wife Emilia, and states that he will go to the extremes, “Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife” (II.i.306-310) Aside from that, he feels mostly betrayed by the fact that Othello was willing to give Cassio the higher ranking as opposed to himself. Feeling devastated and betrayed, Iago goes on a rampage of lies and betrayals in order to destroy Othello. A huge piece of dramatic irony is shown right away in the beginning of the play, when Iago states that “I am not what I am” (1.1.65), setting the tone for the rest of the play, having every character believe he is an easily trusted person, only to find out the painful truth in the end. Iago begins to befriend Othello in order for his plan to go the way he planned it. Othello trusts him, just as everyone else, not knowing he would eventually drive him to murdering his wife. Being very gullible and easily manipulated, Othello trusts Iago, never questioning him as he had already proven to be a trusted comrade in the time that they had known each other. Being trusted enough by Othello, Iago takes Desdemona to Cyprus for a believed to be war, only to get there and realizing the enemy fleet had sunk, and ultimately leading to a celebration. Iago convinces Cassio, to drink, and afterwards fight Roderigo as well. Othello, seeing Cassio’s intolerable demotes him. Iago, seeing this as an opportunity, desperately asks Cassio to tell Desdemona to convince Othello to spare his position, as he was just drunk. Although it may seem caring, this is just another one of Iago’s pieces falling perfectly into place. Soon after, Iago begins to weaken Othello by poking at his insecurities. Iago proceeds to show Othello Desdemona’s handkerchief, which makes it ultimately seem as if she’s been messing with Cassio. As a result of Iago’s plans, Othello begins to question his own wife’s faithfulness. Believing the
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Without him, the main theme of the story, which is ultimately betrayal, would not be illuminated to the reader. Iago does not seem to care about anyone throughout the entire play, as he betrays every character at some point, including his own wife. Iago acts hypocritical as he devices a way to betray his once friend, as he feels betrayed and robbed of his promotion. He not only betrays Othello, but other characters in the tragedy as well in order to get to Othello. Iago betrays Cassio by convincing him to get drunk and ultimately throw his position given by Othello away, and then pushes him further by persuading him to go to Desdemona speak with her so she will try to convince Othello to reappoint him. Iago even goes to the extent of betraying his own wife as he gets her to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief, in order for it to be placed in Cassio’s room. But, the most important person whom Iago betrays is Othello. Although Othello seems to trust him, Iago feels no pain or remorse lying and deceiving Othello straight in his face. Through Iago’s manipulative lies, Othello lose trust in his own wife, believing the misconception that she wants Cassio instead. Iago does such a very good job at deceiving Othello which ultimately causes him to fall in and conclude that the only way out of this situation is to end his wife’s life. Iago’s treachery ironically leads to his own destruction in the
Without him, the main theme of the story, which is ultimately betrayal, would not be illuminated to the reader. Iago does not seem to care about anyone throughout the entire play, as he betrays every character at some point, including his own wife. Iago acts hypocritical as he devices a way to betray his once friend, as he feels betrayed and robbed of his promotion. He not only betrays Othello, but other characters in the tragedy as well in order to get to Othello. Iago betrays Cassio by convincing him to get drunk and ultimately throw his position given by Othello away, and then pushes him further by persuading him to go to Desdemona speak with her so she will try to convince Othello to reappoint him. Iago even goes to the extent of betraying his own wife as he gets her to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief, in order for it to be placed in Cassio’s room. But, the most important person whom Iago betrays is Othello. Although Othello seems to trust him, Iago feels no pain or remorse lying and deceiving Othello straight in his face. Through Iago’s manipulative lies, Othello lose trust in his own wife, believing the misconception that she wants Cassio instead. Iago does such a very good job at deceiving Othello which ultimately causes him to fall in and conclude that the only way out of this situation is to end his wife’s life. Iago’s treachery ironically leads to his own destruction in the