Big Question 2

How do ideas about difference and otherness help Iago's manipulation of Othello in this scene?

 

Iago bases his plan upon Othello's differences and insecurities, this helps him to manipulate Othello much more easily as he uses his weaknesses to his advantage. He also uses ideas about how society would react to Othello and Desdemona’s relationship.

Earlier in the play, Othello shows his insecurity of how he speaks differently to the Italian people “rude am I in my speech”, which shows that he believes on some level that he is beneath the Italian race even if he is higher than them in rank. Cassio helped Othello to win Desdemona’s heart, and therefore was close to Desdemona; they spent a lot of time together. As Iago questions Othello about this discretely “Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, know of your love?”, this automatically makes Othello think that there could be a slight chance that something has happened between Cassio and Desdemona in the past and that there even could be something on going.

Iago reminds Othello that Desdemona is different to him in “clime, complexion and degree”; he picks up on differences between Desdemona and Othello to use against their relationship. Iago presents the idea that Desdemona may realise that she wants someone more like herself, as their relationship is of “Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural” according to Iago and the rest of society in this time period. This again strikes Othello’s insecure streak as he knows that he and Desdemona are very different and a lot of people think that their marriage isn’t right and therefore, Desdemona may conforms to pressure from society.

Overall, Iago uses many ideas and ways to manipulate Othello’s thoughts into what he wants him to think which is the opposite of the truth by laying foundations and giving Othello situations that could have happened.