Manipulation is a powerful skill. This causes people to lose trust in their friends, doubt themselves, and in some cases, murder someone they love. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago, a master of manipulation, makes the protagonist, Othello, lose confidence in his faithful wife, Desdemona, even pushing him to murder her. Iago successfully convinces Othello to doubt Desdemona and later murder her through his brilliant use of rhetoric and manipulation. Iago's use of vivid imagery and narration makes Othello feel like Desdemona is being unfaithful. Iago begins his manipulation by making Othello visualize the affair. When Othello doubts Iago's implication on Desdemona's fickleness, Iago depicts the relationship in a bestial manner by saying: Were they as excellent as goats, as hot as monkeys, As salt as wolves in the pride… Like intoxicated ignorance (Shakespeare. 3.3.404- 406.) Iago uses this vulgar comparison to make Desdemona seem like an insatiable creature. When he says this, Othello immediately thinks of animals and the lack of control over physical actions. He associates this with Desdemona, thus leading him to believe that Desdemona is a whore. When Iago mentions “drunk,” Othello is brought to the idea of ​​debauchery. This word makes it seem like Desdemona has little self-control and makes rash decisions. Iago also uses his rhetorical skills to create a farcical fable about a dream Cassio had,...Cassio. In his sleep, I heard him say: “Sweet Desdemona, let us be careful, let us hide our loves! » And then, sir, does he pity me and wring my hand, crying: “O sweet creature! then kiss me hard, (3. 3.418-422.) Even though this story would be unbelievable to most, Othello already has doubts about Desdem...... middle of paper ...... c Is mine? IAGO: Yours, by this hand! and to see how he appreciates the foolish woman, your wife! She gave it to him, and he gave it to his whore. (Shakespeare 4.1.169-172.) Iago says that Cassio has little respect for Desdemona. It portrays Cassio as someone who sleeps with many women. Thanks to Iago's clever plan to use Cassio as a pawn, Othello further believes Iago and doubts Desdemona. Othello is then even more convinced of Desdemona's infidelity. Iago's use of rhetoric leads Othello to believe that Desdemona is false. Iago achieves this by finding Othello's weaknesses and exploiting them. Iago not only makes Othello feel like Desdemona lied, but also indicates that Cassio is even deceiving Othello. Even though Desdemona remains loyal to Othello, Iago's manipulation proves stronger than Othello's trust.Works CitedOthello, William Shakespeare