Iago’s intelligence causes the self destruction of Othello. He appears to be the most intelligent person in the play, Othello, by the way he acts and handles some situations. Iago is set to plan revenge on Othello for not making him lieutenant. He gains the trust of Othello by telling lies to him, and these lies cause the destruction of Othello. Othello should have investigated on some of the outrageous things Iago has told him. Iago is simply just trying to gain Othello’s trust. This is shown when Iago talks about killing Roderigo because he was saying bad things about Othello.
Nine or ten times I had thought t’ have yerked him here under the ribs. ” (1:2, 4-6). The same thing happens again, this time about Cassio. “With her – on her – what you will. ” (4:1, 42). Iago tells Othello about Cassio sleeping with Desdemona. This appears to be Iago’s smartest move because this causes the death of Desdemona and Cassio. This part also appears important to Iago because he is finally made lieutenant. Othello changes dramatically when he hears all these lies from Iago. He is now less patient. He hurries through many decisions to be made. Such as the one to kill his wife. He also jumps to conclusions too quickly.
This is hown when Iago and Bianca are talking about Cassio and Othello misinterprets them talking about Desdemona. “Ay, let her rot and perish and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. ” (4:1, 200-201. Othello is planning Desdemona’s death. He appears to be very stressed out, by the way he acts and talks. He tries to think that everything is all right but based on what he hears from Iago, it really isn’t. Iago’s many plans to destroy Othello and others work well. The destruction of Othello was mainly caused by himself because he believed all the stories told by Iago. This can show how the power of trickery can work on almost anything.