By voicing his hatred towards Othello, Iago becomes more relatable to Roderigo. Iago says he plans to take his revenge on Othello and encourages Roderigo to assist him. Amidst their conversation, Iago makes comments like, “I follow to serve my turn upon him” (1.1.45) and “In following him, I follow but myself” (1.1.64). Iago elaborates on how Othello gives Cassio a promotion, a man who has “never set a squadron in the field” (Shakespeare 1.1.23), meanwhile viewing himself as more qualified.
To begin, Iago manipulates Roderigo by imposing pathos in order to affirm Othello as an opponent they must eliminate. “How does Iago Manipulate in ‘Othello’ ?” He later says that “ horned man’s a monster and a beast” (IV.i.59).Don't use plagiarized sources. Othello tells Iago, “Exchange me for a goat / When I shall turn the business of my soul / To such exsufflicate and blowed surmises” (III.iii.184–186). Cassio laments that, when drunk, he is “by and by a fool, and presently a beast!” (II.iii.284–285). He then remarks that drowning is for “cats and blind puppies” (I.iii.330–331). In Act I, scene iii, Iago tells Roderigo, “Ere I would sayI would drown myself for the love of a guinea-hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon” (I.iii.312–313). To Desdemona, the song seems to represent a melancholy and resigned acceptance of her alienation from Othello’s affections, and singing it leads her to question Emilia about the nature and practice of infidelity.Īnimals: Iago calls Othello a “Barbary horse,” an “old black ram,” and also tells Brabantio that his daughter and Othello are “making the beast with two backs” (I.i.117–118). The song’s lyrics suggest that both men and women are unfaithful to one another. Since the Willow song was a song about infidelity and betrayal, it was a parallel directly to the case between Desdemona and Othello.
Othello, at this point in the story, is plotting Desdemona’s murder in her bed by strangulation. Though it’s just a song, it symbolizes Desdemona’s similar doom to the Barbary maid who sang Willow, Willow, and was killed shortly after. The Song “Willow”: Willow Song is another good symbol in Othello. One of Shakespeare’s recurring themes is the power of perception–Othello is willing to commit the most horrible of crimes based notupon facts, but upon his faulty interpretation of reality. Both the handkerchief and Desdemona remain pure and unchanged, however Iago is able to change Othello’s perception of them. One cannot trace this change in the symbol’s significance without appreciating Iago’s continual manipulation of Othello. Given is a giftof true, honest, faithful love by Othello to Desdemona, it ultimately becomes a sign of Othello’s jealousy, mistrust, and insecurity. The symbol of the handkerchief is at the heart of the play’s terrible irony. By taking possession of it, he is able to convert it into evidence of her infidelity. Iago manipulates the handkerchief so that Othello comes to see it as a symbol of Desdemona herself-her faith and chastity. Since the handkerchief was the first gift Desdemona received from Othello, she keeps it about her constantly as a symbol of Othello’s love. Handkerchief: In othello The handkerchief symbolizes different things to different characters.