Othello – Power of Words

Othello Words of Power December 12, 2011 The famous saying, The compile is mightier than the sword means that with spoken language and brains, it can be receive a greater weapon than a sword. If such a person was to have this reason with words, then one shall lead to great things, if the person wishes to do so. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago uses his skills with persuasion and words to captivate the minds around him in reaching desired outcomes. Iago definitely demonstrates his powers with his words in the play on many occasions. He firstly captivates Roderigo in doing whatever he chose him to do.The elemental minded Roderigo was not the only one, as Cassio is set up into Iagos traps next. in conclusion the great Othello is wrapped up by Iagos tongue and is tossed around as Iagos will. To catch a fish, rebound and a hook is required, in the maneuver Iago mends, Cassio is the bait. Cassio is the man who provokes Othello and un contendingly kills Othello. Iago s intentions were to take Cassios position in the ranks, because Othello gave the position to Cassio sooner of him. Iago does this by exploiting Cassios biggest flaw, his lack of make whoopieing. Iago uses his fancy speech and talents in song, King Stephen was a worthy peer ith that he called the tailor lown. (II. iii 89-92) ,to encourage Cassio to drink multiple doses. This causes Cassio to get in a fight which results in Othello removing his position. Reputation, disposition, write up Oh, I have at sea my reputation I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. (II. iii 262-265) After being de-ranked by Othello, Cassio is haunted by the fact that he lost his reputation, but Iago convinces him reputation is worth nothing. Later on however, he tells Othello that reputation to him is everything. This is just early(a) example of Iagos counselling of manipulating peoples yardghts of him.Post being de-ranked by Othello, Iago convinces Cassio to trounc e to Desdemona around getting his rank back. Iago tells Cassio, if he can get Desdemona to sweet talk to Othello about you, then you will get your position back for sure. Cassio agrees with Iago having no clue this is just to make Othello jealous. Iago chooses Cassio to be used as bait because Othello already thinks Cassio is more suitable than himself for Desdemona. Cassio fails to recognize any of the jealousy by Othello so he continues to try and get on the good place of Desdemona, which just leads to more jealousy by Othello.Iago trapped Othello and Cassio in a predicament that they cannot escape. Roderigo, a simple man with a simple mind, a man who lets himself trust others more than his own judgment at times, is exclusively clouded by Iagos words. From the first pages of the play, Roderigo is seen doing what Iago chooses and obeying willingly. Were I the moor I would not be Iago. In following him I follow but myself For daws to dope at. I am not what I am. (I. i. 5765) H ere Iago distinctly states his motives and expresses that he is not who he appears to be. He is letting everyone know the nice, motley Iago is not the true self. in spite of all this, Roderigo is comfort wrapped up in Iagos lies and continues to do as Iago wishes. Roderigo spends all his money on Iago to confide that Iago can work his magic and make Desdemona his. Iago is forever and a day letting Roderigo know that Desdemona will soon be his, he tells Roderigo Desdemona will soon come to her stars and run to him It is merely lust of the blood and go without her. (Shakespeare, I. iii. 377-404). Even when Roderigo was on the verge of killing Iago because the promises are not coming true, he is still convinced by Iago to do one more task.This ultimately leads Roderigo to his death, because Roderigo never stopped to think everything through. When Roderigo fails to accomplish what Iago planned for him, Iago backstabs him and kills him. The dramatist Iago, is willing to do anythin g to keep things running smoothly for him. Iago uses Roderigo to set off his drama show, and Roderigo is play by Iago wonderfully. The general of Cyprus, the man who has won countless wars, and the hero of the city, Othello. Despite all these winning characteristics, he still lost to the twisted words of Iago. Othello, an honest black man who falls in love with Desdemona, and she him.At the beginning of the play, Othello had full trust in Desdemona and was happily married to her. As Iago steps in however, that all changes. Ill have our Michael Cassio on the hip,abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb. For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too. Make the Moor convey me, love me and reward me. (II. i. 305-308) Iago says his plans to gain Othellos trust, just to betray him in the end. Othello treats Iago deal a brother, and is constantly calling him Honest Iago. Iagos plan to disgrace Othello is to destroy his love with Desdemona. He does this by making Othello think Desdemona is unfait hful.Iago acts very smoothly, order the actions of others without them knowing his true intentions. Iago would often be reluctant to speak, seeming innocent. When he does this to Othello, it gets Othellos curiosity to set off. I prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, as thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts, the worst of words. (III. iii. 131-133) Othello begs for Iago to speak here, because he cannot bare not knowing what Iago knows. With the speaking abilities of Iago, he is able to lie with such nonesuch that Othello has no choice but worry about his words, worry if Desdemona is actually being unfaithful.Even when Othello would put this idea in the back of his mind, Iago would constantly remind him of it. The cleverness of Iago is demonstrated when he would look like he is helping a person, but the truth is otherwise. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy It is the green-eyed junky which doth mock the meat it feeds on that cuckold lives in bliss. (III. iii. 165-167 ) Iago seems like he is trying to warn Othello about jealousy, but by saying this he is actually getting Othello more jealous. Othello is unaware the entire time of Iagos plot to get what he wants.As Iagos lies dig deeper into Othellos mind, Othello is forced into an incurable sense of hopelessness about Desdemona, and Othello makes the grave mistake of killing her. Othellos trust in Iago left him listening to no one else, even when hes wife pleaded she is vocalizing the truth. This is the effectiveness of Iagos instruction with words, and how he uses that to set up his drama, plotting everyone against each other to his benefits. Language, the humans way of communication, a necessity amongst the population, a tool and occasionally, a weapon.Iagos way of speech gives him the advantage over others. In the book Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago uses his way of words to create situations that will lead to a result that favours himself. He manipulates Othello, Cassio, and Roderigo i n ways that destroy each other but benefiting him at the same time. Iago expresses this characteristic throughout the play and he turns what would be a fairy tale ending story, into a drama with a tragic ending. Work Cited Shakespeare, William, and Roma Gill. Othello. Oxford Oxford UP, 1993. Print.