Nimra Akram

POD 12
Janosch

Manipulation Essay

Manipulation is a mind control that creates internal and external conflicts that leads to
having trust issues. Some ways of manipulating people are gaining their trust and abusing it,
thinking ahead of the game, lying, and making a well thought out plan. A big example of trust
issues is shown in Othello by Shakespeare when othello is being told by his what he thought
was a loyal friend lies about his own wife. [Act 3, Scene 3] I know not that, but such a
handkerchief- I am sure it was your wifes- did I today See Cassio wipe his beard with. Iago has
been telling Othello that his wife has been sleeping with the lieutenant who is young and
attractive. Iago had a well thought out plan because he knew hearing anything bad about
Desdemona would hurt him; he gained trust and abused it; he lied to roderigo in doing what he
wanted him to do and then killing him; and he made a well thought out plan.

Manipulation can be done by many ways. such as in finding someones weakest point and
taking advantage of that weak point. You have the weakest point that will get you down. To get
to know someones weak point you have to be there friend, you have to gain their trust make
them comfortable and just take an advantage of the trust given. A example of gaining trust and
taking advantage of it and getting to someones weak point was shown in Othello by
shakespeare. Desdemona was Othellos weak point. Hearing anything bad about her just would
break him down thinking why? Iago was telling Othello that his wife was sleeping the lieutenant
cassio thus calling her a whore basically. Damn her lewd mix, Oh damn her, come and go with

me apart I will withdraw to furnish me with some swift messin of death for the fair devil now art
thou lieutenant. [Act 3 scene 3] He could not bare hearing anything about bad about her.

Manipulation creates internal and external conflicts. People emotionally break down.
People completely become fearful of little things. People starting fighting themselves internally,
because they are broken down. People start getting threatened physically and mentally. That is
just domestic violence breaking down peoples feelings and emotions. Im going to set the trailer
on fire with you and your daughter in it. [Domestic Violence Article #4] At that point when you
are being threatened you get really confused and you dont know what to do; making you weaker
on the inside because you start losing faith in yourself.
Manipulation changes people in numerous of ways. Othello was a really loving person in
the beginning of the book. He loved his place as a general and was really happy with everyone.
When situations came Othello would make mature choices and would not just flip out. Odin saw
Desi with Cassio, Cassio and Desi were laughing and Odin couldnt put up with seeing that. He
got really mad and started hitting this little kid who came up to him to compliment him on a
dunk. Othello changed from a brave person to a angry and jealous person. I had been happy if
the general camp pioneers and all had tasted her sweet body, so i had nothing known. O now
forever farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content! Farewell the plumed troops, and the big
wars that makes ambition virtue! O, farewell! Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,
The spirit-stirring drum, th ear-piercing fife, The royal banner, and all quality, Pride, Pomp, and
circumstance of glorious war! And O you mortal engines whose rude throats Th immortal joves
dread clamors counterfeit, Farewell! Othellos occupations gone! [Act 3 scene 3] In the
beginning of Othello was full of love and he explains it that the same Othello is gone. He fell
under a trance and just told Iago that he was gone, the same loving, caring one is gone.

Even though there are many ways of Manipulating, Manipulation can be avoided if you
stay true to yourself. Desdemona stayed true to herself, and told her husband that she is staying
loyal to her and that she has not been sleeping anyone. Even though Othello was saying she did,
she said No as I am a christian! If I preserve this vessel for my lord, From any other foul
unlawful touch Be not to be a strumpet, I am none. [Act 4 scene 2] Desdemona keeps on saying
that she is a christian and she would never give her body up to others. It is her for her husband.
She believed in that things are going to get better so she didn't stop reminding him that she is not
a whore.
Manipulation is a very common thing that happens now and there are many ways of
getting manipulated and manipulating others. Domestic Violence is a way of Manipulation
because your partner controls or abuses what you do and what you don't to do.