Free College Essays - Othello and Honesty :: GCSE Coursework Shakespeare Othello

Othello and Honesty    Honesty is one of the most important factors in Othello.   And although there is very little honesty actually present in the play the term is most commonly applied to Iago, who also happens to be the most dishonest character in Othello.   Due partly to the other characters naivetà ©, Iago is capable of manipulating, brainwashing, and molding the other characters to satisfy his need for revenge against Othello.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Iago would most commonly be referred to as dishonest, however beyond that he is also downright amoral and uses other’s weaknesses to manipulate them into doing what he pleases.   From the very beginning we see how Iago manipulates Roderigo by pretending he is looking out for his best interests in the matter of Othello’s elopement with Desdemona.   He makes Barbantio angry with Othello and Desdemona by telling him about their elopement then lying about the consummation of their relationship.   He then leaves Roderigo to take responsibility for his (Iago’s) actions.   In the meantime he goes off to inform Othello that Roderigo is accountable for telling Barbantio about the relationship and saying horrible things about Othello.   Iago later brings Roderigo back into his quest for revenge when he tries to get Cassio fired from the position that Iago originally wished to obtain.   Although Cassio knows it is aga inst his better judgement to drink, Iago manipulates him into getting drunk then stages a fight between Roderigo and Cassio.   He even goes as far as to try to make Cassio look bad by telling Montano that he gets drunk regularly. Upon Iago’s explanation of the situation Othello promptly fires Cassio from his position and Iago becomes more respected in Othello’s eyes.   Roderigo is a prime example of how Iago uses people to fulfil his desires.   Iago convinces Roderigo that he could win Desdemona’s love away from Othello and the only man that stands in the way is Cassio.   In this way when he plans to humiliate Cassio it seems as if he is doing it to help out Roderigo when, in actuality, he is seeking revenge on Cassio for taking his position.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the main reasons Iago is so successful at manipulating others is because they are too guileless to realize that he is taking advantage of them.   Cassio still comes to Iago for advice after Iago rats him out and gets him fired.