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Phillip Lin
HELA II
Rager 2
4 December 2014
Cassios breakdown
Michael Cassio is Othellos right hand man. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare,
Cassio is a well profound lieutenant. He is well trusted by Othello who is a Venetian General and
is put in charge of a party because the General trusts him. Cassio starts to drink and starts to fight
with citizens of Cyprus and even the governor, Montano. Cassio fails to live up to his reputation
as the Generals right hand man and is discharged from his duties. In act 2 scene 3, Cassio acts
honorably, emotionally distraught, and naive.
Cassio behaves honorably as he is discharged by Othello. Cassio, a man of honor does
not try to justify himself or blame Iago for his own faults, but instead blames it on himself. It
hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place to the devil wrath; one imperfectness shows me
another, to make me frankly despise myself. (Shakespeare Act 2 Scene 3) This quote signifies
that Cassio blames solely himself for his actions and faces the consequences for his own
blunders.
After this incident, Cassio is acting emotionally distraught. He feels as if he has lost his
reputation as a reputable commander. Instead people now view him as a violent drunk man.
Being emotionally distraught and desperate, Iago informs Cassio that he can ask Desdemona for
his job back. This action will highlight Othellos jealously. Our general's wife is now the
general: may say so in this respect. (Shakespeare Act 2 Scene 3) This quote ultimately

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foreshadows how Cassio will ask Desdemona for help and that will further fuel Othellos
jealously.
Throughout this whole event, Cassio has been listening to Iagos advice which is the
reason he was stripped of his rank. Cassio and other characters in the play are too nave when
they trust and believe Iago. Just like Cassio, Othello strongly adheres to Iago even more after this
incident which leads to his demise. You advise me well. (Shakespeare Act 2 Scene 3) Cassio is
quick to follow Iagos advice because of his desperate situation. Iago in all the other characters
perspective is very trustworthy because of how he reacts to all the situations that he created.
The tragic flaw the Cassio had amplified in Othello was his lack of trust in Desdemona.
Iago further fueled his skepticism by advising Cassio to turn to Desdemona for help. Othello
would then view this action as cheating and go insane. The consequences of Cassios irrational
behavior ultimately led to Othellos insaneness. Cassio acted too honorably and did not try to
convince Othello that Iago was the root of the problems, but instead took it all on himself. He
was emotionally and desperate for his rank so he turned to Iago for advice. When Cassio had
received this advice, he was too nave to believe Iago so quickly which led to his downfall and
Othellos.

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