After reading Act I of William Shakespeare’s Othello, the reader is introduced to the major conflict of the play. Iago, an ensign to a captain named Othello, is angry over the fact that another man, Michael Cassio, attained the position of Lieutenant, or second in command, over himself. This anger towards Othello’s decision is what fuels the plot line as the story continues. While Iago probably did deserve the position over Cassio as he had more battle experience, Iago goes too far and decides to gain revenge on Othello. Iago, in hopes of vengeance, begins to set up different situations and lies in order to disgrace Othello or cause confusion. Even as one reads into Act II, Iago’s lies are what run the story. The conflict that he creates, whether stating that Othello kidnapped Desdemona or trying to create an affair between her and Cassio, is what slowly starts to whither away at each character’s respect and liability. Furthermore, Iago is after Othello because of a rumor he slept with his wife. However, Iago’s unreasonableness shines through when it is realized that he does not actually know whether it happened or not. Iago states, “And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets he’s done my office. I know not if’t be true,” (Shakespeare, 1382). Fueled by his anger over his military position, Iago chooses to slowly attack Othello through lies and the people around him.
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