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Q: Why does Iago tell Othello that Desdemona is lying?
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Why didnt Iago simply tell Othello right away that Desdemona and Cassio were having an affair?

If Iago had told Othello right out that they were having an affair, Othello might consider that he had a motive for saying so. It would become an issue of "Who is lying? Iago or Desdemona?" and Othello would probably believe Desdemona. But by planting the seed of suspicion and then feeding it by downplaying it, Iago makes sure that Othello is not even aware that it is Iago that is telling him about the supposed affair. He thinks he's finding it out for himself. This way it does not become a credibility issue between Desdemona and Iago.


Who is brabantio and why does iago and roderigo awaken him in the middle of the night?

Brabantio is Desdemona's father. Iago and Roderigo wake him to tell him that Desdemona is running off with Othello. Using filthy and racist language, Iago hopes to anger Brabantio against Othello, which he does.


Who does Iago tell Cassio to confer with about finding forgiveness from Othello after his brawl in the street?

Desdemona. Iago says that Desdemona is the most influential person with Othello, so Cassio should get her to plead on his behalf. This sounds reasonable, except that Iago has suggested that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair, and this will heighten Othello's suspicions.


What does emilia tell Othello in Othello?

Emilia tells Othello several things but the most notable are, in the order they appear in the play: That it can't be possible that Desdemona is cheating on him, and that someone must be telling him lies.It was Emilia who had found the handkerchief and given it to Iago. Emilia puts together the whole story, and attempts to tell it to Othello.Desdemona loved Othello and was faithful and loyal.


How do you xxplain the story of Othello?

Oversimplifying greatly ... Othello is a dark-skinned African Muslim (a "Moor") who is a high-ranking and hot-tempered general in the army of Venice, Italy. Cassio is Othello's trusted lieutenant. Desdemona is Othello's girlfriend, whom he marries early in the story. Iago (ee-ah-go) is a deviously sly soldier in Othello's army; he is jealous and bitter and wants to destroy Othello, because Othello has chosen Cassio to be his lieutenant instead of choosing Iago. Roderigo is another soldier who Iago easily manipulates to do his bidding. Everyone else in the story takes part in action that revolves around these 5 main characters. Iago tries to get Desdemona's father and the Duke of Venice to believe that Othello engaged in sorcery and kidnapping to get Desdemona to marry him, but that doesn't work. Fortunately for Iago, Othello doesn't realize that Iago is out to get him. Iago gets Cassio drunk, gets Roderigo to pick a fight with Cassio, and then convinces Othello that Cassio started the fight. Othello strips Cassio of his rank. Iago convinces Cassio that Othello's wife Desdemona can help convince Othello to give Cassio his rank back. Iago helps Cassio arrange a secret meeting with Desdemona. Then Iago convinces Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having a love affair behind his back. Iago convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio, but Cassio is only wounded. Iago kills Roderigo so he can't tell anyone that Iago put him up to the murder attempt. In a fit of jealous rage, Othello smothers Desdemona who he believes has been having sex with Cassio. Cassio, Iago and others arrive at the scene of Desdemona's murder. Othello repents of his fit of temper that has caused him to kill his beloved wife. Desdemona's maid reveals that Iago made her set up false evidence that led Othello to his tragic incorrect conclusion. Iago kills the maid. Othello stabs Iago but only wounds him. Othello begs Cassio to forgive him for his unfounded jealousy, which he does. OMG, the dead Roderigo has left a letter fully incriminating the villainous Iago, who is led away to what we assume is torture and a gruesome death. Othello, crushed by having allowed Iago to lead him to ruin, gives a final speech and commits suicide with his dagger. Everyone comes back to life and bows to the audience, who are weeping and applauding.

Related questions

Why didnt Iago simply tell Othello right away that Desdemona and Cassio were having an affair?

If Iago had told Othello right out that they were having an affair, Othello might consider that he had a motive for saying so. It would become an issue of "Who is lying? Iago or Desdemona?" and Othello would probably believe Desdemona. But by planting the seed of suspicion and then feeding it by downplaying it, Iago makes sure that Othello is not even aware that it is Iago that is telling him about the supposed affair. He thinks he's finding it out for himself. This way it does not become a credibility issue between Desdemona and Iago.


What is iagos master plot to annoy Othello and desdemona?

Iago's master plot to annoy Othello and Desdemona, is to tell Desdemona's father that Desdemona has married the Moor (Othello). And also to convince Othello that Desdemona is involved in an affair with Michael Cassio.


Who is brabantio and why does iago and roderigo awaken him in the middle of the night?

Brabantio is Desdemona's father. Iago and Roderigo wake him to tell him that Desdemona is running off with Othello. Using filthy and racist language, Iago hopes to anger Brabantio against Othello, which he does.


Who does Iago tell Cassio to confer with about finding forgiveness from Othello after his brawl in the street?

Desdemona. Iago says that Desdemona is the most influential person with Othello, so Cassio should get her to plead on his behalf. This sounds reasonable, except that Iago has suggested that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair, and this will heighten Othello's suspicions.


What does emilia tell Othello in Othello?

Emilia tells Othello several things but the most notable are, in the order they appear in the play: That it can't be possible that Desdemona is cheating on him, and that someone must be telling him lies.It was Emilia who had found the handkerchief and given it to Iago. Emilia puts together the whole story, and attempts to tell it to Othello.Desdemona loved Othello and was faithful and loyal.


How do you xxplain the story of Othello?

Oversimplifying greatly ... Othello is a dark-skinned African Muslim (a "Moor") who is a high-ranking and hot-tempered general in the army of Venice, Italy. Cassio is Othello's trusted lieutenant. Desdemona is Othello's girlfriend, whom he marries early in the story. Iago (ee-ah-go) is a deviously sly soldier in Othello's army; he is jealous and bitter and wants to destroy Othello, because Othello has chosen Cassio to be his lieutenant instead of choosing Iago. Roderigo is another soldier who Iago easily manipulates to do his bidding. Everyone else in the story takes part in action that revolves around these 5 main characters. Iago tries to get Desdemona's father and the Duke of Venice to believe that Othello engaged in sorcery and kidnapping to get Desdemona to marry him, but that doesn't work. Fortunately for Iago, Othello doesn't realize that Iago is out to get him. Iago gets Cassio drunk, gets Roderigo to pick a fight with Cassio, and then convinces Othello that Cassio started the fight. Othello strips Cassio of his rank. Iago convinces Cassio that Othello's wife Desdemona can help convince Othello to give Cassio his rank back. Iago helps Cassio arrange a secret meeting with Desdemona. Then Iago convinces Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having a love affair behind his back. Iago convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio, but Cassio is only wounded. Iago kills Roderigo so he can't tell anyone that Iago put him up to the murder attempt. In a fit of jealous rage, Othello smothers Desdemona who he believes has been having sex with Cassio. Cassio, Iago and others arrive at the scene of Desdemona's murder. Othello repents of his fit of temper that has caused him to kill his beloved wife. Desdemona's maid reveals that Iago made her set up false evidence that led Othello to his tragic incorrect conclusion. Iago kills the maid. Othello stabs Iago but only wounds him. Othello begs Cassio to forgive him for his unfounded jealousy, which he does. OMG, the dead Roderigo has left a letter fully incriminating the villainous Iago, who is led away to what we assume is torture and a gruesome death. Othello, crushed by having allowed Iago to lead him to ruin, gives a final speech and commits suicide with his dagger. Everyone comes back to life and bows to the audience, who are weeping and applauding.


What does emilia tell that mkaes iago kill her?

Emilia reveals that Iago manipulated Othello into believing that Desdemona was unfaithful, causing him to kill her. This revelation exposes Iago's deceit and undermines his plans, leading him to impulsively silence Emilia by killing her in a fit of rage.


Why is Othello gullible and easily fooled?

He is not. Every other character in the play, without exception, considers Iago to be honest and trustworthy. Cassio lets Iago trick him into drinking more than he should, and then immediately trusts him again when Iago tells him to go to Desdemona. Is he gullible and easily fooled? Roderigo is conned again and again out of his money by Iago for a purpose anyone could tell was a waste of time. Again and again Roderigo is taken in by Iago. Iago even fools his wife (who by this point ought to know better) in the matter of the handkerchief. Emilia does not think it suspicious enough to tell Desdemona, unfortunately. As for Othello, Iago knows that Othello cannot be easily fooled. If Othello were so foolish, Iago could have told him his wife was unfaithful, and he would have believed it. No, instead, Iago only plants the idea in Othello's mind, saying all along that he doesn't believe it. He plays on Othello's humility, his concern that a man of his age, background and race could have few attractions for a girl like Desdemona. And so Othello starts to wonder, to doubt, to worry, not because he is gullible but because he is humble. But he doesn't right off believe it. He's not Claudio from Much Ado. "Give me the ocular proof!" he demands. Are these the words of a gullible man? Iago is a very skillful psychological manipulator. Nobody is immune to his techniques. Nobody. Othello is not a gullible man. Iago is an evil genius.


Why doesn't Iago tell Othello about Desdemona's and Casio's affair?

Because Othello would never believe him if Iago just told him. Iago wants Othello to believe that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair (which they are not), and so goes about it in a much more devious and effective way. He starts off making little comments under his breath, like "Oh, I like not that." and then the more Othello presses him to tell what he is thinking, the more reluctant Iago appears to be. He says he doesn't really know anything, it's probably really innocent, he doesn't want to get anyone in trouble, BUT . . . and then relates some mildly suspicious incident. As Othello gets hooked and forces Iago to tell more and more, Iago makes up more and more increasingly suspicious incidents. Othello believes him because he seems reluctant to say anything, and also because everyone calls him "Honest Iago". This is textbook con artist technique. And Iago uses it over and over, gulling people right left and centre throughout the play. Shakespeare's depiction of this kind of deception is masterful.


What is a summary of Othello?

Othello is a General that lives in Italy(Venice), but is a Moor. Traditionally that means he is black while everyone else is white. He is very respected and marries on of the leading families daughters. Iago is one of his most trusted lieutenants, but after great victories Othello decides to promote someone else. Iago then begins a scheme to get power. First he brings down his other rivals for power. Then he seeks revenge on Othello. To do so he starts scandals almost on a whim and makes everyone distrust one another. Including Othello and his wife. Side note: Othello has epilepsy and no one must know or they will think him weak or possesed. Iago forces Othello to smother his wife and all of his rivals to die, yet in the end He loses his own life in his web of lies. One of the most Ironic things about Othello is Iago the most wicked liar coins the term (I wear my heart upon my sleeve.) Meaning he does not decieve. Iago makes the top ten most evil fictional villains ever.


How does Othello claim he won Desdemona's heart?

She asked him to tell her his life story and he did.


What does iago tell Othello he heard cassio saying in his sleep?

"Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves!", "O sweet creature!" and "Cursed fate tht gave thee to the Moor!"