A puppet master is in complete control over his puppet. But only after years of studying and observation does this special interaction of complete control occur. The master soon speaks for the puppet, acts for the puppet, and feels for the puppet. A similar manipulative situation arises between Iago and Othello in Shakespeare’s Othello. Iago’s clever application of parallelism, rhyme, and metaphor play a key role in his devilish scheme. He wishes to manipulate Othello’s emotions; thus creating a condition satiated in malice and jealousy within the Moor. Iago’s fiery rhetoric embellishes the reality of his groundless hatred. The sly Iago represents the very irony that encircles Othello. Appearing as an ally, Iago’s vengeful nature transforms him into the ultimate foe of Othello. Iago’s anger is initiated by not being chosen as Othello’s military lieutenant. This fuels his deceitful calling of Brabantio, Desdemona’s father. “You have lost half your soul. Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!” (I.i.96-98). Iago awakens Brabantio with this metaphor of the ram and the ewe, referring to Othello and Desdemona, in order to enrage him. Othello represents the “black ram,” exhibiting a connotatively negative sense as opposed to the pure “white ewe,” Brabantio’s daughter. This metaphor instills anger in Brabantio, not because Othello is involved, but because his daughter is losing her purity. The repetition of “now” and “arise” in Iago’s cry add urgency to the matter and further alarm Brabantio. As Iago commences his scheme against Othello, he seeks the assistance of Roderigo, who is deeply in love with Desdemona. The time comes when Roderigo becomes suicidal over his unfeasible love for Desdemona. In a conversation between Roderigo and Iago, the shrewd Iago employs par...
