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.Act 1: In the first scene, Iago is complaining to Roderigo about the fact that Othello chose Cassio to be his lieutenant over Iago himself. Iago decides that he wants to take revenge by destroying Othello's life.

Act 2: Further into the play, Iago manipulates Cassio to make him drunk and gets Roderigo to draw him into a street fight. After seeing this, Othello strips Cassio of his job. Iago then suggests Cassio to ask Desdemona to ask Othello to get Cassio reinstated. Meanwhile, Iago suggests to Othello that Desdemona is Cassio’s lover.

Act 3: Iago plans to put a handkerchief given to Desdemona by Othello in Cassio's room which would imply that she had been there and was cheating on him. Othello becomes convinced that his wife is cheating on him when it is not true.

Act 4 and 5: Othello kills his wife because he thinks that she was being unfaithful to him but he later realizes that he made a mistake because he finds out Iago was lying to him the whole time. Out of regret, Othello kills himself. In the end, everyone finds out he truth about Iago as he gets captured, and Othello, Desdemona, and Emelia who is Iago's wife, are dead.

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Why Othello Was The Cause Of His Own Downfall

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Why Othello Was The Cause Of His Own Downfall

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Othello was the cause of his own down fall because of his jealousy, his gullibility, his need for revenge and his failure to trust his own wife over a person who he previously overlooked to be his lieutenant.

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In Othello, Iago Is The "Perfect Villain"

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In Othello, Iago Is The "Perfect Villain"

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Iago, from the beginning of the play, has a goal to destroy Othello. He wanted to accomplish his goal no matter how many people he had to manipulate and hurt. Iago's ability to manipulate people into doing what he wants them to do and thinking what he wants them to think, all while seeming like a hero, is the reason why he is considered the perfect villain,

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Quote:
OTHELLO

Lie with her? lie on her? We say “lie on her” when they belie her! Lie with her—that’s fulsome. Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief! To confess, and be hanged for his labor. First to be hanged, and then to confess—I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion without some instruction. It is not words that shake me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips. Is ’t possible? Confess!—Handkerchief!—Oh, devil!— (4. 1. 30-34)

Context: Iago told Othello that Othello's wife was in the same bed as Cassio but he doesn't confirm that they were committing adultery. Othello believes Iago without even asking his wife or Cassio about the situation because he feels that it is true.

Analysis: Othello's gullibility must stem from the fact that he believes he is not good enough for Desdemona so when he hears that he is being cheated on, he accepts it because he feels that he cannot fulfill his wife's needs. Othello's also very gullible because he trusts Iago blindly. Whatever Iago says, Othello believes it to be the truth so when Iago told Othello he heard that Cassio and Desdemona were laying in bed together, Othello believed this to be the truth. Othello's blind trust for Iago and him being so gullible ultimately leads to his downfall because it poisons his mind and causes him to take actions based on what he's heard but not what he has seen to be the truth.

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Quote: "Despise me

If I do not. Three great ones of the city

(In personal suit to make me his lieutenant)

Off-capped to him, and by the faith of man

I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.

But he (as loving his own pride and purposes)

Evades them with a bombast circumstance

Horribly stuffed with epithets of war,

And in conclusion

Nonsuits my mediators. For “Certes,” says he,

“I have already chose my officer.”

And what was he?

Forsooth, a great arithmetician,

One Michael Cassio, a Florentine

(A fellow almost damned in a fair wife)

That never set a squadron in the field,

Nor the division of a battle knows

More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric," (1. 1. 10-25)

Context: In this scene, Iago is complaining about how Cassio got the position of being Othello's lieutenant instead of him. He goes on by saying how he is more qualified than Cassio and how he has actually fought in the war whereas Cassio was always behind the scenes.

Analysis: In this scene, we can clearly see how jealous Iago is of Cassio and we can tell how badly Iago wants the lieutenant position. Later in the story we can see what this jealousy of Iago's led him to do and how he got the position of being Othello's lieutenant by embarrassing and shaming somebody else by taking advantage of them and manipulating them. Alternatively, this quote shows us one of the reasons why Iago decided to destroy Othello and it also shows the irony of how Iago felt jealousy because of Othello's actions but then later in the play, Othello felt jealousy because of Iago's actions.

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Quote: By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it.

20Thou saidst—Oh, it comes o'er my memory,

As doth the raven o'er the infectious house,

Boding to all—he had my handkerchief. (4. 1. 19-22)
Context: Iago has lied to Othello by tricking him into thinking that Desdemona gave her handkerchief to Cassio and Othello is very angry.

Analysis: In this scene, we can clearly see how jealous Othello is of Cassio because he believes that Desdemona gave Cassio the handkerchief that Othello gave her. Othello was thinking that since he thought of this handkerchief as sacred and he gave it to Desdemona out of love, Desdemona would keep it but since she didn't, he believes that she gave the handkerchief to the next person she loves. By seeing Othello in this state of being jealous and out of order, Iago can see that his plan of destroying Othello is working.

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Quote: "I hate the Moor,

And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets

He’s done my office. I know not if ’t be true,

But I, for mere suspicion in that kind," (1. 3. 323-325)

Context: Iago is talking to himself in this scene and is expressing his hatred for Othello while also explaining how he suspects Othello slept with his wife.

Analysis: This scene relates to the inciting incident because it explains one of the reasons why Iago is so obsessed with trying to destroy Othello and it shows how Iago is starting to plan to manipulate Othello and eventually lead him to his own wreck.

QUOTE: "I follow to serve my turn upon him:

We cannot all be masters, nor all masters

Cannot be truly follow'd"

Othello - (1. 1. 44-46)

CONTEXT: Since Iago was angry that he was passed up for Cassio's post, he revealed to his close friend Roderigo that he is only by Othello's side to help himself. He also tells him that men cannot follow leaders if they are trying to be leaders themselves.

ANALYSIS: This quote shows that Iago doesn't serve Othello out of passion or duty, but because he wants to overtake him as a leader. This relates to the inciting incident because it is the first we have seen of Iago's plan to deceit Othello and by Iago saying this, it sets the central conflict into motion.

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Quote: "In following him, I follow but myself.Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,But seeming so, for my peculiar end.For when my outward action doth demonstrateThe native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, ’tis not long afterBut I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at. I am not what I am." (1. 1. 60-67)
Context/Analysis: This quote shows the audience that Iago is only supporting Othello so that he could help himself and that while Iago may act respectful and loyal to Othello he is only trying to lead him to his own destruction. This shows that Iago will go to extreme lengths to destroy Othello because he is willing to manipulate Othello as well as many other people to get what he wants. Iago does not care who he hurts or who gets killed in his process of trying to destroyOthello because hatred is so deep and his obsession is so crazy.

Quote: It is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets
He’s done my office.(1. 3. 324-325)
Context/Analysis: Iago believes that Othello has slept with his wife. This quote shows us the reason why Iago wants to destroy Othello however, he only mentions this a few times which shows that this might not be a very significant reason as to why he wants Othello to be destroyed. Nonetheless, he uses this reason to simply attempt to destroy Othello. He does not have any proof that Othello slept with his wife and despite this, he says this is one of the main reasons he wants to destroy Othello. This just goes to show how much Othello is hated by Iago and how deep Iago's hatred is for Othello because he is willing to ruin Othello's life based on his intuition.

Quote: "I could never better stead thee than now. Put money in thy purse. Follow thou the wars, defeat thy favor with an usurped beard. I say, put money in thy purse. It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor—put money in thy purse—nor he his to her. It was a violent commencement in her, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration—put but money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in their wills—fill thy purse with money. The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She must change for youth. When she is sated with his body she will find the errors of her choice. Therefore, put money in thy purse." (1. 3. 305-310)
Context: Roderigo is in love with Desdemona but. she is married to Othello. So, Iago is telling Roderigo to sell all of his assets because he believes that Othello's marriage will break and when it does, Roderigo can get Desdemona.
Analysis: Iago is clearly manipulating Roderigo by making it seem like if he does what Iago is saying, he will be able to get what he wants but in reality, the only person that will gain from this is Iago. Iago takes advantages of people's weaknesses to get what he wants and this is what makes him the perfect villain. He uses Cassio's kindness to get him drunk and to make him lose his job, he uses Roderigo's love for desdemona to get his wealth, and he uses Othello's insecurity and jealousy to get him to kill his wife and himself. By manipulating all of these people, Iago accomplishes his goal of destroying Othello.

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Quote: It must not be. If Cassio do remain

He hath a daily beauty in his life

That makes me ugly. And besides, the Moor

May unfold me to him—there stand I in much peril.

No, he must die. But so, I hear him coming. (5. 1. 18-23)

Context: Iago is speaking to himself talking about how much more attractive Cassio is than him in terms of looks as well as personality. He is also saying how Cassio has to die because if he lives, he might tell Othello about how Iago has been lying and manipulating him the whole time.

Analysis: This line shows the audience how insecure and jealous Iago is off Cassio. For Iago, if he wants to be recognized and liked by everyone, he has to put on an act whereas Cassio can just be himself and everyone will like him. Iago doesn't think of himself as ugly but he thinks that he is no match for Cassio. Adding onto the fact that Cassio bested Iago for being Othello's lieutenant at the beginning of the play, we can tell that Iago's jealousy for Cassio makes him try to get Cassio killed by Othello because he framed him for being with Desdemona.

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Quote: "If I can fasten but one cup upon him,With that which he hath drunk tonight already,He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense As my young mistress' dog. Now my sick fool Roderigo, Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out, To Desdemona hath tonight carousedPotations pottle-deep, and he’s to watch.Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits(That hold their honors in a wary distance,The very elements of this warlike isle)Have I tonight flustered with flowing cups,And they watch too. Now ’mongst this flock of drunkardsAm I to put our Cassio in some actionThat may offend the isle. But here they come.If consequence do but approve my dream My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream. (2. 3. 30-45)

Context: In this part of the story, Iago is trying to get Cassio drunk because he knows that when Cassio is drunk, he will try to fight somebody and he will end up embarrassing himself.

Analysis: Iago manipulates Cassio by getting him drunk which caused him to embarrass himself in front of many people and look unsuitable as Othello's lieutenant. By doing this, Iago is clearing himself to become closer to Othello which will make it easier for him to manipulate Othello and poison his mind. By taking this step, Iago is now one  step closer to his goal of destroying Othello.

Quote: CASSIO takes DESDEMONA'S hand.
IAGO(aside) He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper! With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do, I will gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true, 'Tis so, indeed.(2, 1. 167-171)

Context: There is a heated exchange going on between Iago and Desdemona and as a way of showing support for Desdemona, Cassio takes her hand. Iago takes a step back and is glad that Cassio did this because Iago is planning on using this moment as evidence to tell Othello that his wife is cheating on him.

Analysis: In this scene, Iago is happy to see that Cassio is taking Desdemona's hand because he is planning on using this information to turn Othello against Cassio and to poison Othello's brain with thoughts that his wife is cheating on him. This relates to the rising action because Iago is developing the conflict by trying to take down Cassio so that he could be Othello's new lieutenant and by doing this, Iago will be very close with Othello which will make it easier for him to manipulate and destroy Othello.

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Quote: Ay, let her rot and perish and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone. I strike it and it hurts my hand. Oh, the world hath not a sweeter creature, she might lie by an emperor’s side and command him tasks.(4. 1. 140-145)

Context: After Iago convinces Othello that his wife is committing adultery, he promises to kill her because of the pain she had caused and for betraying him.

Analysis: Othello's jealousy makes him so mad to the point where he wants to kill his wife to take revenge on her. He also wants Cassio dead. This need for revenge causes Othello to kill his wife even though she was innocent, which also causes him to kill himself. This demonstrates that Othello's downfall is clearly his own fault because if he didn't want to get revenge on his wife without having all of the facts, he wouldn't have killed her which would have led to him not killing himself.

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Quote: I am glad I have found this napkin.
This was her first remembrance from the Moor,
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Wooed me to steal it, but she so loves the token—
For he conjured her she should ever keep it—
That she reserves it evermore about her
To kiss and talk to. I’ll ha’ the work ta’en out,
And give’t Iago. What he will do with it,
Heaven knows, not I.
I nothing, but to please his fantasy. (3. 3. 299-308)
Context: In this scene, Iago's wife Emelia finds Desdemona's handkerchief. She was asked by her husband many times before to steal this handkerchief but she had never done it.

Analysis: This handkerchief is very significant to the plot because this small thing is what causes Othello, Desdemona, Roderigo and Emilia to die and it helps get othello caught. It causes Desdemona and Othello's death because Othello kills Desdemona because he thought the handkerchief was proof that she was cheating on him and it ends up causing Othello to kill himself out of guilt. This handkerchief being found by Emelia also kills Roderigo because if the handkerchief wasn't shown to Othello, he wouldn't have given the order to kill Cassio and Roderigo never would have been in the position to die. Finally, this handkerchief also leads to Emelia dying because after Othello kills Desdemona because he thought she was cheating n him, Emelia told Othello everything and after Iago heard this, he killed her. This goes to show how important finding the handkerchief was to the story.

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Quote: Ay, let her rot and perish and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone. I strike it and it hurts my hand. Oh, the world hath not a sweeter creature, she might lie by an emperor’s side and command him tasks. (4. 1. 140-145)

Context: Iago and Othello are having a conversation and Othello concludes that he wants his wife dead because he is certain that she has cheated on him with Cassio. He is also feeling upset and expressing to Iago how sweet his wife is and how her nice nature is how she could have gotten away with cheating on him.

Analysis: This situation goes to show how easily Othello can be fooled and how easily he trusts others. Othello took the word of Iago for many things instead of trusting his wife when she clearly said she did not commit adultery. After getting tricked and manipulated by Iago into believing many things, Othello has finally decided that he wants his wife and Cassio dead. He believes he has enough evidence to conclude that his wife cheated on him based on one person's word.

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Quote:
"For this slave,

If there be any cunning cruelty

That can torment him much and hold him long,

It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest

Till that the nature of your fault be known

To the Venetian state.—Come, bring him away." (5. 2. 349-353)

Context: This occurs when Iago gets captured after he kills his wife Emelia, kills Roderigo and gets Othello to kill Desdemona.

Analysis: Iago accomplished his goal of destroying Othello and getting him to kill himself by torturing him and ruining his mental state. However, it came at the expense of his own freedom as well as many lives. Due to Iago's obsession of trying to destroy Othello, Cassio lost his position as Othello's lieutenant, Othello started doubting his wife who he loved so much and the lives of Othello, Desdemona, Emelia and Roderigo were lost. Overall, even from Iago's perspective it seems like trying to destroy Othello was not worth it because it only lead to more lives being lost and Iago becoming imprisoned himself.