Othello: Acts IV and V

Othello, the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare

Iago continues to manipulate other characters as the play continues. Again, Roderigo approaches Iago to complain that he has yet to start a relationship with Desdemona. Roderigo, who has paid large sums of money to Iago, complains that he has not gotten the results that he has spent the money for. Roderigo complaining to Iago about not seeing the results of his work has been a reoccurring scene throughout the play. In addition, Iago consistently reassures Roderigo that in time he will have a relationship with Desdemona. Also, Iago continues his speech to the point of manipulating Roderigo to do Iago's dirty work. Earlier, Roderigo picked a drunken fight with Cassio, and now Roderigo confronted Cassio to kill him. "I will show you such a necessity in his death that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him"  (IV, ii, 230-231).  Because Iago continues to successfully manipulate Roderigo, Roderigo stays as a static character. In addition, Iago is a static character because he continues to manipulate Roderigo in the same way as earlier scenes in the play.