Othello

     In the play “Othello” written by William Shakespeare, the author illustrates the importance of persuasion.  He shows this theme by implanting a brilliant persuading ability in his villain character, Iago.  This ability is highlighted through the process of Iago’s planting the idea that Desdemona, Othello’s wife, is having an affair with Cassio in Othello’s mind in Act 3 Scene 3, the scene that clearly and persuasively represents a point of a view of a single character, Iago.  In lines 112-119, Iago pauses and repeats Othello’s words in an interrogative way to evoke Othello’s curiosity.  He also develops Othello’s curiosity by using this method three times; he waits patiently until Othello asks for Iago’s purpose of pausing, instead of Iago blurting his thoughts out.  Although Othello asks him to assert his thoughts, Iago says “my lord, you know I love you” to be compassionate, to convince that whatever Iago will say or do is for Othello’s own benefit, and to provoke more curiosity out of Othello, making his future words to be powerful (Othello, Act 3 Scene 3, 130).  Iago waits until Othello’s acknowledges Iago’s loyalty and Othello’s demand in stating Iago’s thoughts.  Instead of directly asserting his thoughts, Iago leads Othello to his thoughts.  He first brings the name of Michael Cassio in line 137 by asking Othello what he thinks about Cassio.  Then, he hesitantly agrees to Othello and indirectly persuades Othello to doubt his faith in Cassio by putting his words in 3^rd person, avoiding the name, Cassio.  By doing this Iago allows Othello to follow his idea by making him assert that “nay, yet there’s more in this [Cassio’s honesty]” (143), instead of directly asking Othello what to believe.  In fact, Iago lures Othello to demands in asking for Iago’s opinion to make it seem as if Othello sincerely desires to hear Iago’s words.  Othellos damnd for Iago’s words lucidly illustrates that Othello is already persuaded by Iago and is ready to believe anything Iago is to say.