Iago’s intelligence causes the self destruction of Othello. He appearsto be the most intelligent person in the play, Othello, by the way he acts andhandles some situations.
Iago is set to plan revenge on Othello for not makinghim lieutenant. He gains the trust of Othello by telling lies to him, andthese lies cause the destruction of Othello. Othello should have investigated on some of the outrageous things Iagohas told him. Iago is simply just trying to gain Othello’s trust. This isshown when Iago talks about killing Roderigo because he was saying bad thingsabout Othello. “Nine or ten times I had thought t’ have yerked him here underthe ribs.
” (1:2, 4-6). The same thing happens again, this time about Cassio. “With her – on her – what you will. ” (4:1, 42). Iago tells Othello aboutCassio sleeping with Desdemona. This appears to be Iago’s smartest movebecause this causes the death of Desdemona and Cassio.
This part also appearsimportant to Iago because he is finally made lieutenant. Othello changes dramatically when he hears all these lies from Iago. He is now less patient. He hurries through many decisions to be made. Such asthe one to kill his wife.
He also jumps to conclusions too quickly. This isshown when Iago and Bianca are talking about Cassio and Othello misinterpretsthem talking about Desdemona. “Ay, let her rot and perish and be damnedtonight, for she shall not live. ” (4:1, 200-201. Othello is planningDesdemona’s death. He appears to be very stressed out, by the way he acts andtalks.
He tries to think that everything is all right but based on what hehears from Iago, it really isn’t. Iago’s many plans to destroy Othello and others work well. Thedestruction of Othello was mainly caused by himself because he believed all thestories told by Iago. This can show how the power of trickery can work onalmost anything.
Category: English
