Machiavellianism in Othello

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Machiavellianism in Othello

In Othello, Shakespeare develops a theme of ruthlessness. Throughout the play he shows that people try to get what they want by taking any means necessary. Various examples of Machiavellianism are portrayed during the play. Most of the examples of Machiavellianism in the play involve Othello’s right hand man, Iago. Iago uses people to benefit himself, not caring what happens to them in the process.
Roderigo, a wealthy Venetian man, is in love with Othello’s wife, Desdemona. He is jealous of Othello and Desdemona’s strong feelings for each other. Roderigo wants Desdemona to fall in love with him and leave Othello behind. Iago convinces Roderigo that he can help win the love of Desdemona for money in return.
Iago manipulates Roderigo into thinking that he is getting close to winning Desdemona’s love, but in reality he is in the same place he started. Iago uses Roderigo for his money and doesn’t get him any closer to being with Desdemona. Iago doesn’t care about what Roderigo wants; all he cares about is having power and riches.
Roderigo is also used as a pawn by Iago. Iago wants to get back at Michael Cassio for getting the promotion from Othello. Iago thought he was going to get the promotion because he was more experienced than Michael Cassio and he fought by Othello’s side for years. Iago told Roderigo that Cassio was interested in Desdemona, which caused a fight between Cassio and Roderigo. Iago initiated the fight between the two by spreading rumors to Roderigo that Cassio wanted Desdemona, when really Iago just wanted Cassio to lose the promotion. After the fight, Michael Cassio not only lost the promotion, but was almost killed as well.
In the end, Iago kills Roderigo in a fight. All Iago did throughout the play was use Roderigo to do things that would personally benefit himself. He got Roderigo to give him money and to fight

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