In the way reality is theorized, the metaphysical has the potential to replace the empirical as the dominant approach in understanding reality. In Shakespeare's Othello, Iago is intrigued by the fluidity of reality, particularly how contradictory elements of perception such as truth and suspicion, evidence and conjecture, can be interchangeable. He applies this view of reality to become Othello's puppeteer by taking advantage of Othello's limited ability to see beyond the tangible and as such, Iago enjoys watching the spectacle of Othello's downfall come to life in his theater. Through Iago's soliloquies, it becomes clear that he approaches reality as something he can engineer: the manipulation of reality gratifies his god complex. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To better understand Iago, it is crucial to first discuss metaphysics. Metaphysics is the study of reality that questions what reality is, how reality is perceived and interpreted, and how it is incorporated into human existence. This philosophy is undoubtedly one of the most complex and dimensional philosophical lenses because it evokes the study of the abstract and its relationship to the empirical, rather than the empirical alone. During the 16th and 17th centuries, some of Shakespeare's contemporaries explored a style of poetry called "metaphysical poetry." This style focused on methods of manipulating poetic style through complex and extensive metaphors that were not only conveyed in the language of the poem, but were also extended to the entire theme of the poem. As such, metaphysical poetry physically and literally attempted to transcend reality through the manipulation of words. Connecting “metaphysical poetry” to Shakespeare's style is important to understand how Iago in Othello is constantly trying to manipulate reality. Like the metaphysical poets, Iago is also motivated by his ability to manipulate reality to achieve his ambitions, to the point that the manipulation of reality itself gives him the gratification of feeling that he has power. The way Iago perceives reality as if it were many layers beyond what is observed gives him the tenacity to impose himself on Othello. Iago's fascination with the fluid nature of reality generates his obsession with exploiting Othello, who, unlike Iago, cannot perceive beyond what is presented to him: "I know not whether it be true, / But I, by mere suspicion in of this kind, / I will do as to ensure” (1.3.431-433). This quote illustrates that Iago's "suspicion" is as valid as the truth; because he sees these two perceptions as malleable and interchangeable for what he perceives, he actively constructs it by extorting Othello's nature: "He has a smooth persona and disposition / to be suspected, framed... [He] thinks honest men but they seem to be so" (1.3. 440-441 ) This quote describes how Iago consciously chooses Othello to 'frame' because he is 'honest' and 'kind', and his empirical and credulous interpretation of reality can be exploited by Iago, who knows he can produce evidence to fuel doubts and Othello's worries. jealousy. Just as Iago perceives truth and suspicion as interchangeable concepts, he realizes that judgment is also fallible “And yet I have put the Moor / at least into jealousy so strong / that judgment cannot heal” (2.1.322-324). At this point in the play, Iago intends to manipulate Othello to the point that he can no longer trust his own vision of reality, his own "judgment". With this loss of judgment, Iago points to Othello's irrationality as his downfall.