In the way reality is theorized, metaphysics has the potential to replace the empirical as the dominant approach to understanding reality. In Shakespeare's Othello, Iago is intrigued by the fluidity of reality, particularly the way in which contradictory elements of perception, such as truth and suspicion, as well as evidence and conjecture, can be interchangeable. He applies this view of reality to become Othello's puppeteer by exploiting Othello's limited ability to see beyond the tangible and, as such, Iago enjoys watching the spectacle of Othello's fall come to life in his theater. Throughout Iago's soliloquies, it becomes clear that he approaches reality as something he can conceive: the manipulation of reality satisfies his god complex. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In order to better understand Iago, it is crucial to start by discussing 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 arguably one of the most complex dimensional philosophical lenses because it speaks to the study of the abstract and its relationship to the empirical, rather than the empirical alone. In 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 extended 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 attempted physically and literally to transcend reality through the manipulation of words. Making the connection between “metaphysical poetry” and Shakespeare’s style is important to understanding how Iago in Othello is constantly engaged in an attempt to manipulate reality. Like the metaphysical poets, Iago is also motivated by his ability to manipulate reality in order 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 having many layers beyond what is observed, gives him the tenacity to prevail over Othello. Iago's fascination with the fluid nature of reality breeds his obsession with exploiting Othello, who, unlike Iago, cannot perceive beyond what is presented to him: "I don't know if it's true, / but I, out of simple suspicion of this kind, will do as if to guarantee myself” (1.3.431-433). This quote illustrates that Iago's "suspicions" are as valid as the truth; because he considers these two perceptions to be malleable and interchangeable. Rather than accepting reality for what he perceives, he actively constructs it by extorting Othello's nature: "He has a gentle person and disposition / to be suspected, trapped… [He] thinks men are honest but seem to be” (1.3. 440-441). This quote describes how Iago consciously chooses Othello to "frame" because he is "honest" and "fluent", and his empirical and credulous interpretation of reality can be exploited by Iago, who knows he can fabricate evidence to feeding Othello's doubt and jealousy. Just as Iago perceives that truth and suspicion are interchangeable concepts, he realizes that judgment is also fallible "Yet I have put the Moor / at least in such strong jealousy / that judgment cannot cure » (2.1.322-324). HAS.