Othello - Think For Yourself

The nature of trust is the act of putting all faith in someone to provide truth. Othello puts all of his faith in Iago to provide truth, the one person looking to hurt him. Iago takes advantage of Othello’s trusting nature to manipulate him. When Iago succeeds in getting Michael Cassio drunk, he changes the story of what happened during the fight to make Othello turn on Cassio saying:

Since Iago takes what Othello says as the truth, without getting a second opinion or thinking through the matter himself, Cassio is pulled from his rank as a lieutenant. This demonstrates how Othello can be easily manipulated to do what Iago wants him to do.

But nevermore be officer of mine. (II, iii, 240-242)

Shakespeare uses harsh, graphic images to naturally make Othello believe Iago. If someone is willing to have their tongue cut from their mouth, then they must be telling the truth. Shakespeare also uses some simple mind-play to get Othello to demote Michael Cassio. Iago pretends to be one of Cassio’s beloved confidents and Othello replies:

Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee

Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,

Othello: Most veritable; therefor

Some topics in this essay:
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