This intellectual error thus prevents Othello from thinking clearly about his wife after Iago has planted the idea that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. Furthermore, "The Fall of Othello," John Arthos notes, "Othello fell into chaos before the murder was done" (95). Othello's confusion is evident as he tells Iago, "I think my wife be honest and think she is not;/I think that thou art just and think thou art not (Shakespeare 3.3.385-386). Iago manipulates Othello into believing women cannot be trusted based on his own prejudices against them. Iago, in a conversation with his wife Emilia claims that women "are pictures out of doors,/Bells in your parlours, wild-cats in your kitchens,/Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,/Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds" (2.1.111-114). Iago further exploits Othello's uncertainties about Desdemona to the point where he eventually convinces him that he must kill Desdemona for her "infidelity." After Desdemona inadvertently loses a handkerchief, which Othello later claims is enchanted, she puts herself in a position that raises the utmost suspicion, and irrevocably alters how Othello perceives his wife. As Desdemona is continuously chastised without reason, she can only defend herself by stating "I have not deserved this," as she is never given the proper forum to voice her concerns or explain herself (4.1.252). Desdemona becomes one of Iago's targets because he does not respect women and thus believes that they should be manipulated as they manipulate...
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