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Manipulation is the act of influencing a person’s belief or action using rhetorical devices, and it’s a powerful tool used by many for various reasons. Manipulators build upon others' insecurities to cause devastating results while receiving little to no consequences. For centuries, the skills of manipulation have been used and utilized for one’s own welfare, and it is still evident today in a more common way. Companies, for instance, use rhetoric to encourage viewers into buying their products.
Even though the aftermath might be harsh, manipulators still use those skills to manipulate others for personal goals and gains.
Dating all the way back to Shakespeare's time, manipulation has been around and used very often. The play Othello, for instance, demonstrates great use of rhetorical devices when Iago manipulates Othello for his well-being. In Act 1 Scene 3 of Othello, during Iago’s and Roderigo’s conversation, Iago stated that “Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners.” (Shakespeare 23) By using a simile, he compared the human minds to a garden and described humans as the gardeners, “why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills.” (Shakespeare 23) Iago hinted at the idea that just likes how you get what you sow and human minds often function the same way - too easily trusting others and believing what others said, too gullible.
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Iago’s conversation showed the readers the success in his attempt to manipulate Othello into believing him auspiciously. Furthermore, by using Othello’s anger efficiently, Iago was able to convince Othello to kill more brutally, “Do it not with poison.
Strangle her in bed.” (Shakespeare 90) By doing so, Iago showed how he was able to have everyone successful wrapped around his hand. At this point, Iago was able to demonstrate the use of rhetoric to a point of perfection throughout the story and prevailing at the end. Nearly 4 centuries had passed since Othello, the human race had evolved and strived for a better future, the skill of manipulation is expanding silently beside us.
In the society we are living in today, manipulation is all around the corner, ranging from politics to the ads in our daily life. The renowned soft drink company, Coca-Cola, has been using pathos in their slogan to trigger the audience’s emotion. Until 2016, their catchphrase has been “Open Happiness” (Coca-Cola) promising the consumer happiness and joy after drinking their products. Targeting customer’s emotions, Coca-Cola can make over 35 billion each year. In fact, makeup companies, such as L’Oréal, are also able to fluently use rhetoric to manipulate customers into buying their products. With the help of Dr. Maxim Titorenko, the company worked with customer’s psychology and the motivation analysis, they were able to alter their slogans to today’s “because we are worth it” (L’Oréal) inclusive of the on-watchers themselves. By making the viewers feel involved, they can convince the public that their product is worth having. Furthermore, without generalizing the audience, L’Oréal can include the value of the customers; purchasing the customers into buying their products. Nowadays, companies can use simple rhetorical devices to convince mankind to obtain products from their cooperation.
On the other hand, manipulators don’t always succeed with their hoaxes. There are times in Othello, where Iago fails to completely manipulate the people around him. Later on in the story, Roderigo realized that Iago has used him all this time, “You have told me she hath received them and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden respect and acquaintance, but I find none.” (Shakespeare 101) Roderigo begins to doubt Iago, questioning his personality and their friendship. In this modern era, a good example of manipulation failure is weight loss supplements, claiming to “Lose 30 pounds in 30 days” (“Weighing the Claims in Diet Ads”) but according to consumers' reports, the supplements don’t always work and sometimes can cause harmful side effects. A simple example is Alli, an over-the-counter weight loss drug, by preventing the user from “digest and absorb dietary fat.” (“The Trouble with Diet Pills: They don’t work, and they can be unsafe”) they can lose up to 5 percent of their body weight, but they are not safe. All users had experienced multiple side effects, including headaches; abdominal pains; and liver injuries.
As the human race progresses with time, manipulators still use rhetoric devices to manipulate others but in a wider range. The society today, various advertisements are used by different companies to lure the mass into buying products and goods. Comparing to the Elizabethan Era where Othello took place, there’s a great difference in how people utilize rhetoric skills. The world now had already moved on to a lifestyle with rhetoric and manipulation all around even amongst friends. Mankind is advancing and moving forward for a better future rapidly, but what would our language and rhetoric skills hold for us? Is the world at large going to proceed and prevail with their lies with a better understanding of language?
Manipulation In Othello By Shakespeare. (2024, Feb 20). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/manipulation-in-othello-by-shakespeare-essay
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