Manipulation In Othello And Dr. Faustus Essay -- essays research paper

The art of deceptionThe art of deception many times changes the current conditions or plays asignificant role in the ending result of literary works. In Othello and The Tragical History ofDr. Faustus shows how deception changes the identity of individuals and the termination ofcertain events. There is a juxtaposition between the characters of Iago and Faustus, whomuse their humane autonomy to manipulate the sequence of events in each work. Bydeceiving themselves or the characters around them there becomes an absolute play onwords and actions, wherein the identity and outcome is strengthened or lost.Iago wishes to be Othello and this becomes apparent in his discussion regardingCassio promotion, his social status, and his own identity. Iago seems to deceive himself,by wishing he were Othello and by doing so he almost believes he is Othello. Shakespearestates Were I the Moor I would not be Iago, begins Iago abolishing his own get word tofulfill his desires to be another person (lin e 58). Stephen Greenblatt discusses the possiblemeanings of Iago role-playing concisely in Act 1 and states Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago, because The I always loves itselfand the creature I know as Iago hates the Moor he serves or, alternatively,because of the Moor I would be other than I am now, free of tormentingappetite and revulsion that characterize the servants relation to his masterand that constitutes my identify as Iago. (235-36)Iago appears to manipulate his own thoughts regarding Othello and by doing so itdirects him as to what identity he holds. By imaging himself as Othello he is able to see the debate outcomes of himself in regards to Othello, therefore he construct his ownidentity by furthering his manipulation.Iago deception is furthered in his conversation with Roderigo and states But Iwill wear my total upon my sleeve/For daws to peck at, I am not what I am, showinghes not what he appears to be ( line 65-66). Iagos l... ...eatrical illusions shape by hu man subjects and thosesubjects are themselves fictions, fashioned to reiterate acts of self-naming (218-219).Faustus finds his faults in his deception and states All beast are happy, for when theydie/Their souls are soon dissolved in elements, But mine must live still to be plagued inhell, thus determining his illusion did not bring true ecstasy (lines 165-7).Within Othello and The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus shows were thecharacters while playing on words and actions have dedicated themselves to play a majorrole in the outcome. Iago was in truth consumed in the idea of revenge and wishing to be ofhigher status, but his involvement made him a subject to the surrendering that is includedin his invention. Faustus too is really consumed in the idea of forgetting his own existenceand wishing to be of higher power, but it is the very thing that steals away his existenceand desire to be in control. Each character while manipulating the events in the works,have deceived not only the other character, but themselves and their quest to find the self.