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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Research Paper on Othello

Research Paper on Othello

Shakespeare's writing tends to have an antagonist who is power hungry. In the play "Othello" the bad guy, Iago, uses his perceptiveness to pick up on Othello's doubts towards Desdemona's faithfulness in order to destroy their relationship. Iago is able to use his people skills to get close to Othello and then use this gained trust in order to devastate him.

In the beginning of the play we quickly discover that Iago only has bad intentions towards Othello, seeing that he tried to demolish their marriage. Since his original idea hadn't worked Iago was working out an immense scheme to break down Othello. Iago is bent on crippling his brave commander for one reason alone, revenge. He always felt as if Othello wasn't worthy of the respect that he had from everyone around him. Iago was jealous of Othello's high position in society, and found that he was not worthy of Desdemona's heart. So Iago was going to do whatever it took to ruin Othello's reputation.
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After achieving the position of lieutenant by eliminating Cassio from the picture, Iago began to gain Othello's trust. Iago was very good at manipulating someone by gaining their trust and using words of wisdom to tell people what they want to hear. In act 4 scene 1 specifically Iago begins talking to Othello about the alleged relationship between Desdemona and Cassio. Iago tells Othello some words that Othello wanted to hear, and this made him listen to Iago intently. After Othello was hanging on his every word Iago states, "[Faith,] that he did - I know not what he did."(Act 4 sc. 1 line 38) This makes Othello tense because he wants to hear what Iago know about Cassio. When Othello asks what they did all Iago said was, "Lie." (Act 4 sc. 1 line 40) It was that one small word which drove Othello insane with anger. Iago knew that he couldn't tell Othello everything he allegedly knew about Cassio; otherwise Othello wouldn't be so distraught. All that Iago has done was give Othello some words of wisdom concerning the two adulterers, but he then twists these words in order to enrage Othello. Othello becomes so angry he falls into a trance, where Cassio enters and Iago tells him that he would like to talk with him as soon as Othello leaves.

At this point Iago comes up with in immense plot to use three separate people in order to make Othello's fears about Desdemona come true. Iago specifically tells Othello he will get Cassio to admit his relationship with Desdemona while Othello isn't there. As Othello withdraws off stage Iago states to the audience, "Now will I question Cassio of Bianca, a huswife that by selling her desires buys herself bread and [clothes.] It is a creature that dotes on Cassio.т"(Act 4 sc. 1 lines 110-113) He states this in order for the audience to understand that he's going to question Cassio about Bianca, even though Othello thinks he's questioning her of Desdemona. From this point on he speaks with Cassio who bursts into laughter thinking of Bianca's obsession with him. Iago uses his knowledge of Bianca's fascination with Cassio in order to manipulate Othello into thinking they are talking about Desdemona.

After Iago has gained the trust of Othello, Othello doesn't think twice about the fact that Iago and Cassio speak of the adultery so easily. He sees Iago as a friend, and thinks that Iago only has good intentions when questioning Cassio of the relationship. Othello and Cassio are completely oblivious to the streak of lies that Iago has been passing off, and it's all because Iago is so good with his words.

Iago was a character built with determination. He was willing to stop at nothing in order to succeed. Iago gained the trust of everyone he ever knew, but it turns out he was only using them to harm Othello and his first-rate reputation. Iago's character was built on revenge, and it was his intelligence and quick wits that helped him get his revenge on Othello.

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Warning!!! All free online research papers, research paper samples and example research papers on Othello topics are plagiarized and cannot be fully used in your high school, college or university education.

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