Manipulation

Manipulation

1. Iago

   • Iago - "Our bodies are our gardens, to which our wills are gardeners..."
     • When Iago makes an analogy between gardening and exercising free will, we are reminded of Iago's brilliance in 'gardening' the will, so to speak. Part of what makes him such a brilliant manipulator of Othello is his ability to plant the seeds of doubt and jealous in Othello's mind.
   • Iago - "That he would steal away so guilty like Seeing you coming.
     • After watching Desdemona and Cassio chit-chat from afar, Iago suggests that there is something going on between Cassio and Othello's wife. He never directly tells him "oh look Cassio is flirting with your wife." He implies the idea that there is something leaving Othello to act upon it.
   • Iago - "Demand me nothing. What you know you know. From this time forth I never will speak word."
     • This is the last time Iago speaks in the play. After Othello demands to know why Iago set out to destroy him, Iago remains silent. But why? One would think that Iago would want to gloat but he refuses to explain himself, leaving Othello and the audience still unaware of the motives of Iago.

2. Brabantio

   • Brabantio - "O, thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter? Damned... thou hast enchanted her!"
     • Brabantio argues that Othello could not have truly won Desdemona's love - it had to be through some kind of trickery or manipulation. Brabantio couldn't be more wrong, of course.
   • Brabantio - " Look to her Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father and may thee."
     • Brabantio suggests that, because Desdemona deceived her father when she eloped with Othello, Desdemona will likely deceive her husband. Desdemona, as we know, is completely faithful to Othello. Although Othello seems to buy the stereotype that unruly daughters make for promiscuous and unruly wives too.