1. How and why Iago destroys Othello
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2. The reasons why he destroys Othello are: In his own words:
Not being made lieutenant
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place
Othello has made love to his wife
I do suspect the lusty Moor / Hath leaped into my seat
Cassio has made love to his wife
FIND YOUR OWN QUOTE FROM IAGO’S FINAL SOLILOQUY IN 2.1.
Other possible reasons:
to plume up my will
He hath a daily beauty in his life
That makes me ugly
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3. His unfamiliarity with Venetian society
We also need to look at why Othello is so vulnerable and Desdemona so unable to cope with him.
His age
His colour
Haply for I am black … or for I am declined into the vale of years
His unfamiliarity with Venetian society
Iago tells Othello I know our country disposition well: In Venice they do let God see the pranks they dare not show their husbands
The short and disturbed time of his marriage (set sail in different ships on the night they were married; wedding night interrupted by Cassio’s brawl; Desdemona is killed the next night)
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4. Iago’s Methods Iago destroys Othello using the following methods:
hints and suggestions
outright lies
Opportunism
Pairs: Create a brief scene between 2 girls at the ball. One is trying to persuade the other her boyfriend is cheating on her. Use Iago’s methods. KEEP IT CLEAN.
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5. Hints and Suggestions
Iago pretends there is more on his mind than he is admitting to when they arrive to see Cassio speaking to Desdemona
(Find a quote in 3.3 to support this)
he warns Othello not to succumb to the emotion he wants to arouse in him and he plants suspicions by reminding Othello he is not aware of Venetian customs
O beware, my lord, of jealousy!
Wear your eye thus: not jealous, nor secure.
he says there was something perverted in Desdemona choosing a black husband
Not to affect many proposed matches / Of her own clime, complexion, and degree…One may smell in such a will most rank, foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural.
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6. Outright Lies Outright lies
such a handkerchief - I am sure it was your wife’s – did I today see Cassio wipe his beard with
the time he slept with Cassio
In sleep I heard him say: ‘Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves’
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7. Opportunism
he arranges for Othello to overhear him talking to Cassio supposedly about Desdemona, but in reality about Bianca
when Bianca comes along with Desdemona’s handkerchief he tells Othello that this shows the contempt with which Cassio treats Desdemona
See how he prizes the foolish woman your wife: she gave it him, and he hath giv’n it his whore
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8. Essay topics this information relates to
Manipulation
Character essays on Iago/Othello
Jealousy
The downfall of Othello
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