Undergraduate / Essay - Thoughts on thesis? - essay for Shakespeare (UAS) class [10]

Unfortunately I didn't have a full version to bounce off of my teacher. I still wanted feedback however, so that's why I registered here.

Without further ado:

In William Shakespeare's Othello, the character Iago is a force of ontological negation. Iago is an effective manipulator because of his comprehensive knowledge of the workings of man, and, therefore, his ability to abuse it. His ability to exploit his victim's fears and weakness in such an extremely conspicuous and unsuspecting manner is what allows him to engineer his own desired outcomes. Through his calculated destruction of his victim's foundation he is able to impose his will as their own, allowing for a successful and unsuspected coercion to the benefit of his whims.

Iago can only begin to manipulate others successfully when he has destroyed the foundation upon where their sense of strength lies. In order for Othello to be manipulated successfully, Iago must first debase Othello's confidence in the love that exists between him and Desdemona. The peak of Othello's wholesome and ardent love is seen clearly during the conflict with Brabantio, in which Othello states that he would place his "life upon [Desdemona's] faith" (49). Othello's confidence in her honesty and faithfulness is so concrete that he is unable to doubt it. Iago realizes that their trust serves as the foundation for their virtuous relationship, and when scheming alone he states that in order to advance with his "monstrous" plan, he must "abuse Othello's ear / [and convince him] that he is too familiar with his wife" (55). From this point on, Iago entrenches him within doubt, turning Othello's once definitive foundation of a faithful relationship into a clean slate in which he could set his whims. Emilia, a naturally strong and opinionated woman, has her foundation destroyed in a similar way. Emilia displays her knowledge, opinion, and controversial skepticism throughout the play, and Iago is aware of this. He takes every opportunity he has to belittle her in the hopes of nullifying her traits, calling her a "good wench" and a "common thing" at best (139) and a "villainous whore" and "filth" at worst (255). Whenever she articulates, Iago tells her "to speak within door" (203) or to "charm [her] tongue", which connotes that her words are like snakes or otherwise false and poisonous (251). The sheer amount of hatred coming from Emilia's own husband has such a profound emotional impact on her, and Iago begins to internalize a sense of worthlessness and uselessness upon a woman who was once opinionated and critically cynical. Cassio, Othello's honorable lieutenant, has his strength and power place upon the foundation of his reputation. Iago claims that Cassio only obtained the lieutenancy because of a "preferment [of] letter and affection", which demonstrates the power of Cassio's reputability (9). Iago notices that Cassio's position, and therefore his power, are based upon his reputation, and thus he seeks to destroy it. After persuading Cassio to get drunk and subsequently into a brawl, Cassio cries out in vain, "my reputation, Iago, my reputation!", for it is "the only immortal part of [himself]" and the trait he values most (99). The destruction of Othello's confidence, Emilia's intelligence, and Cassio's reputation contributed to Iago's ability to manipulate them.

Once Iago has destroyed the foundation of strength, he is able to make his will their own. Othello, desperate and confused at his uncertainty, claims that "[Iago] hast set [him] on the rack", exemplifying Iago's involvement in his own decision-making process (141). Othello begins to lose his own sense of will, eagerly eating any information that Iago can provide him. After a vile spew of slander regarding Desdemona emerges from Iago's mouth, Othello asks him: "Dost thou say so?", and after Iago provides an extremely brief affirmation, Othello instantly concludes "And so she did" (131). Eventually, Othello is at the whim of Iago, and the clear exchange of power and control reveals itself in Othello's blind and mislead murder of Desdemona, the woman whom he had once placed his life in. Similarly, due to Iago's vicious behavior, Emilia's sole purpose is transformed into a pursuit of approval from the man who is supposed to love her. She retrieves Desdemona's handkerchief, which eventually aids in Desdemona's death, stating that she is "nothing but to please [Iago's] fantasy", demonstrating her dedication to his will (139). In a particularly remarkable exchange, Emilia states that she would "venture purgatory" in order to "make [Iago] a monarch" (217). Iago had successfully silenced Emilia, turning her into nothing more than a martyr of his whims. However, when Iago's mischievous plot is coming to light near the end of the play, Emilia begins to speak for Desdemona and begins framing Iago. Though as soon as she speaks, Iago ends her life abruptly- he is determined to keep her in silence. It is worth noting that she blames Othello for not appreciating Desdemona, who was "so good a wife", yet she never defends herself from Iago's abuse because the internalized hatred and doubt is so deeply instilled that she finds herself undeserving of any kindness (255). Cassio is also at the whim of Iago, stating that the loss of his credibility and honor made him "despise [himself]" and ultimately worthless in his own eyes (101). No longer holding his reputation, the foundation upon which his job, power, and life rest upon, Cassio falls into the arms of Iago, who is able to coerce him into talking with Desdemona, furthering the plot against Othello. Cassio states that Iago "[advises] him well", even though Iago is the one who drove him into ruin (103). Once characters no longer have the foundation upon which their strength is built upon, Iago is able plant his will within them, making them desperate to follow what he may provide.

Iago is a master manipulator whose cunning strength lies in being a strong force of ontological negation. Iago is able to implant his own will within his victim by destroying what the characters value most about themselves. Since he is able to make others wills his own, Iago is never suspected as he keeps a distance and lets them cause the damage to themselves. Iago may have sparked Othello's raging jealousy, but he is not the one who demanded Desdemona's death. He may have made Emilia feel worthless, but he is not the one who demands for the theft of Desdemona's possession. Iago may have persuaded Cassio to get drunk, but he is not the one who forced Cassio to fight, ultimately causing him to be stripped of his title. This is what makes Iago such an effective manipulator, and through this strategy he is able to manipulate and ultimately have supreme control the outcome of any situation.