Othello vs. Iago Essay - 2458 Words

Othello vs. Iago As the villain in Shakespeares play Othello, Iago has two main actions. They are to plot and to deceive. Iago wishes to plot and to deceive because he is jealous of Othello and hates him. Iagos reasons for why he hates Othello is because he believes that Othello made love to his wife, and Iago is mad that Cassio was chosen to be Lieutenant instead of himself. From this hate comes the main conflict of the play. Iago plans to ruin Othello because of Iagos jealousy towards him is by carrying out a plan to get back at Othello based on lies and deceit. This plan will make Iago the only person that Othello believes he can trust, and Iago will use this trust to manipulate Othello. Iago plans to remove Cassio from†¦show more content†¦Cassios uncharacteristic aggression is what eventually removes his from position as lieutenant. Sir, hes rash and very sudden in choler, and haply may strike at you. Provoke him that he may, for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mut iny, whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio (Shakespeare 261-264). This quote is when Iago explains Cassio to Othello among the numerous times that he does do so. When taste is used, the line says that the people of Cyprus will not feel comfortable with their nature until Cassio is removed from his position. The definition of qualifications is condition, nature or pacification and uses the word trust instead of taste. (Gray 2) In contrast, when trust is used, Iagos words say that the people of Cyprus will not be able to trust authorities again until Cassio is no longer Lieutenant. While Cassio is fighting, Iago is using the violence to create a riot in Cyprus and upset the people. Cassio is blamed for this riot, and order cannot be restored until he is no longer Lieutenant. The word trust makes more sense in this sentence, because Cassio lost the trust of the masses when he acted with aggression. He was always a well mannered and p eaceful man, and now the people of Cyprus do not know who he really is. 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