William Shakespeare
Oh, Iago, my favortie character...
I do have to hand it to him, he is the best manipulator I have ever seen. The scene in which Roderigo and Iago get Cassio drunk is one of the highlights of his expertise in getting what he wants by manipulating people. After an (easily) won argument of whether Cassio was going to drink or not that night, and initiating Cassio's downfall after drinking himself to absurdity, he responds to Othello's questions in the most polite and seemingly honest way possible. He suddenly dresses himself with a persona of kind and gentle honesty, and sucks up to Othello. Nothing but a little dramatic irony will make the readers feel the painful stab of knowing information vital to the protagonist's survival.
Another scene in which Iago demonstrates his mastery of manipulation is when he instills the idea in Othello's mind that Cassio is with his wife. He almost refuses to tell Othello his suspicions, making him seem like a loyal friend.
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