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In the play “Othello” by William Shakespeare Ago plays the master manipulator and manages to deceive many of the other characters especially Othello and Cassia. It can be said that his motives are based solely on his insecurities due to the fact his goal In the play was to ruin Othello life. He does this by using psychological manipulation on Othello thoughts and makes him believe that Cassia and Desman are fond of each other. Which basically means that he targets anyone that brings out his insecurities, which gives him a reason to lash out and kill or harm these people, to make himself feel better.
In the beginning of the play Ago makes It seem as If his hatred towards Othello Is because he has made Cassia his lieutenant. As the play goes on you later realize that Gaffs hatred extends even more. “l hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets, he has done my office: I know not fit be true, but l, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as If for surety. “_ There seems to be some rumors about Othello and Sago’s wife Emilie, the rumors are that Othello and Emilie have slept together. In the quote above he states that he doesn’t care if the rumors are true and that he is going o proceed with his plan as if they are true.
Throughout the play Ago constantly reminds himself of why he’s targeting Othello. “l do suspect the lusty Moor, Hath leaped into my seat: the thought whereof, Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards; And nothing can or shall content my soul, till I am evened with him, wife for wife. ” His hatred towards Cassia is more directed. Ago hates Cassia because he has gotten the position of lieutenant even with his lack of experience In the field as he Is a more tactical creating strategies person. “More than a spinster, unless the bookish heroic”. Ago basically states that Cassia’s lack of manliness add to his hatred towards him.
Each person in the play get manipulated In a way that only suits them. For example Ordering Is “blinded by his love for Desman, and Is prepared to do anything to win her heat” this give Ago the advantage to take his weakness and use it against him. As innocent as Sago’s words seem Othello lets Sago’s manipulative words counteract with his thinking and this is where you could say he has officially planted the seed making sure he has Othello ear. As Othello asks for proof Ago Is once gain able to manipulate Othello by making him hide and hear a conversation Ago has with Cassia. Now will I question Cassia of Bianca, A housewife that by selling her desires, Buys herself bread and clothes. It is a creature, that dotes on Cassia, as ‘its the strumpet’s plague, To beguile many and be beguiled by one. He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain, From the excess of laughter. Here he comes. ” Ago says this once Othello withdraws and once Cassia corners him starts discussing Bianca but allows Othello to believe they are discussing Desman. He whispers so Othello old not hear him and by doing that he agitates Othello and that causes him to be delusional.
As mentioned before Cassia is also manipulated by Ago. The first way In which Cassia is deceived is when he get pressured into drinking and then starting a 1 OFF him, with that which he hath drunk tonight already, He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense, as my young mistress’ dog. Now my sick fool Ordering, Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out, To Desman hath tonight caroused, Petitions bottle-deep, and he’s to watch. Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits, That hold heir honors in a wary distance, The very elements of this warlike isle, Have I tonight flustered with flowing cups, And they watch too.
Now ‘amongst this flock of drunkards, Am I to put our Cassia in some action, That may offend the isle. ” This is Lagos soliloquy where he actually reveals his manipulative side. At first, Ago told Cassia he should drink on behalf of Othello although he knew that he did not want to and was not capable of it. Ago has manipulated Cassia to do something unethical. Othello and Cassia both get exploited by Ago because they both find honest, good friend and have a hard time Judging character. Ago acts like he truly cares about Othello by giving him warning signs about Cassia.
Ago also fools Cassia into thinking he cares whether he has a good time or not. Another way Ago manipulates Cassia is when he plants the handkerchief in Cassia’s chambers. “l know not neither, I found it in my chamber. I like the work well. Ere it be demanded, As like enough it will, I would have it copied. Take it and do ‘t, and leave me for this time. “. Cassia says this when he gives it to Bianca. Cassia has no idea as to how the handkerchief got into his room. Ago left it there to set him up and make it seem as if he is having an affair with Desman.
Ago exploits Cassia’s limited knowledge since Cassia did not know that the handkerchief belong to Desman. In both scenarios Ago manipulates Othello and Ago by sugar coating the truth from them. Ago does feel better after manipulating the characters in the story this is shown throughout the story as Ago manipulates and controls every other character so well that they seem like puppets that he controls. At the end of the play, Sago’s manipulation has left a trail of destruction that has killed Othello and Cassia, as well others and has destroyed the lives of many who remain. The motivations and ideas
Ago has are very deceptive and cunning, and his ability to influence is very amazing. Sago’s actions define of a man who will stop at nothing until he exacts revenge on everyone who he feels has threaten him in one way or another. Shakespeare has presented Ago as a kind and noble soldier he has also been known as honest Ago, this showing that everyone is not as what they seem on the outside. Already knowing that Ago has a hatred for his superior Othello and now Cassia “Thou dolt’s me thou didst hold him in thy hate,” Said Ordering. “Despise me if I do not,” Ago replies. This during the opening scenes in the play.
Ago fools Othello by providing “ocular” proof but didn’t allow him to listen or understand properly. As for Cassia, he used his friendship to plant the handkerchief. Both Othello and Cassia are naive have a hard time Judging character, are too proud to believe that someone is fooling them and their limited knowledge as to what was going on around them allows Ago to Successfully in the end manipulate the mind of Othello and sent him insane and left Cassia in a situation that he didn’t belong in. Othello and Cassia were both victims of Lagos manipulation due to the fact that they had something Ago did not.