Good Looks and Charm Causes Harm - Research Paper Example

Cassio is loyal to his boss and Shakespeare describes him as handsome and full of charm. This charm makes it easy for Cassio to win women. Othello makes Cassio the lieutenant despite claims from Iago that he lacks expertise in war. Iago lets vengeance to define his actions and he does not relent in fixing Cassio. Iago manipulates events and makes Othello believe that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona, a plot that brings Cassio down (Keller 400). The fact that Casio possesses these traits makes it easy for the characters to fall into Iago’s deception.

Thus, Casio’s good looks and charm result to harming not only him, but also other characters through Iago’s manipulations. Iago’s mission appears right from scene one whereby he confesses his hatred for the moor and Cassio (Jacobson 497). He does not hide his intentions for vengeance. When the moor leaves to Cyprus because of the waging war, he requests for accompaniment of his newly wed bride. According to Diyanni, Iago realizes that Cyprus will be a good venue for the mission. On arrival to Cyprus, Cassio greets Desdemona with his usual charm and this gives Iago a strong basis for his mission.

Desdemona engages in a conversation with the charming Cassio. Cassio praises Desdemona. Iago takes note of all these to use it for future reference (Diyanni 1039). In the first incidence, Iago tricks cassio into drinking with the awareness that he was likely to lose his composure. Having arranged with Roderigo to trap Cassio, a fight resulted between the two. Othello could not tolerate such rowdy behavior and he sacks Cassio. Cassio’s sacking is a great loss and he becomes desperate to rebuild his trust with the moor.

In his desperate state, Cassio listens to Iago’s advice that he should plead Desdemona into negotiating for him before Othello. Due to his charm, Desdemona agrees to put him in good books with her husband. Cassio does not realize that Iago manipulates him. Desdemona pleads with Othello for Cassio (Keller 402). When Iago decides to turn against Cassio, he uses all these incidences to create a scenario that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. Othello acknowledges that Cassio has the capacity to win Desdemona and it was easy for him to accept the lies that Iago manipulates (Macaulay 265).

At the climax of the revenge mission, Iago manages to fix Cassio with Desdemona. He plants Desdemona’s handkerchief in his room. The handkerchief is a treasured gift from her husband and the fact that it is missing is enough to cause chaos. Iago asserts that Cassio has admitted sleeping with Desdemona, a fabricated lie that gets Othello jealous and mad with anger. As the real tragedy unfolds, Iago plans the execution of Cassio. He manipulates Roderigo to carry out the murder. Roderigo believes that Cassio is using his charm to win Desdemona as Iago has manipulated him to believe.

Desdemona is the only woman he loves but does not love him back. The events that follow leave Casio wounded and Roderigo dead. In the castle, Othello kills his wife by strangling her (Diyanni 1028). Othello believes that his wife has been having an affair with the young and handsome Cassio, who can win the heart of every woman. Desdemona reciprocates Cassio’s charm towards her by promising to plead for him. She acts in good faith but her pleading receives a different translation from Othello and Iago.

This pleading results to all the drama that ensues after Iago