Character Of Iago In Othello

To be evil, villainous or Satan-like, is to state that one does hurtful things to other citizens for the pure enjoyment of themselves. Hitler, Stalin and Napoleon are all leaders, who undoubtedly can be stated as evil. In William Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, the character Iago is considered evil. It is argued though that he is not evil, just simply a human. Iago throughout the play becomes insecure over his decline in power leading him to become jealous and get revenge on those who contributed to this feeling of self-doubt. Though Iago at times is satisfied with the way he treats others, his motives are humanistic and the way he deals with his envy for others makes him one of the manliest men in William Shakespeare’s Othello.

Iago sees the handkerchief as a way of finally being able to get to Othello. Iago feels that the handkerchief is a symbol of Desdemona’s faith to Othello. By obtaining this symbol of her faith, he is able to deploy his plan of revenge against Othello. Othello discovers that the handkerchief is missing and becomes very angry with Desdemona. When Desdemona looses her handkerchief, Othello believes she is unfaithful. Othello sees Cassio with the handkerchief and accepts it as confirmation of Desdemona's infidelity.

Evil appears through the menacing Iago and his devilish undertakings in Shakespeare’s Othello. Perceived as a sociopath, Iago antagonizes and fuels conflict. Through an interpretation by Ralph Berry, the literary critic identifies a “fairly clear-cut pattern of good and evil that can be closely identified with the three main personages: that is, of evil, personified in Iago, struggling in the soul of Othello for possession of the goo, Desdemona” (3). The conflict throughout the story is fueled by the good versus evil narrative. Firstly, evil shows its presence when Iago manipulates Othello into thinking his love, Desdemona, cheated on him. In response to Iago’s insinuation Othello speaks, “Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw/the smallest

Further in Act II we learn more of how manipulating Iago is and how he is willing to do anything to get his way without anyone realizing it. He continues to use his so called "honesty" to his advantage, when he is lying and using others to achieve his desire, per say. After watching the movie in class I was able to get a better see of the way Iago acts through the play. By Iago sharing his thoughts with the audience, I was able to get a more in depth understanding of Iago as opposed to the other characters. When Iago shares his thoughts there's a better understanding of his motives behind whatever he is planning to do, and it helps us understand his purpose and to what extent he will go in order to fulfill his purpose. He is giving his personal

While this is certainly true, the fact remains that Iago is only successful in his manipulation of Othello because he exploits Othello’s feelings of racial inferiority. Indeed, Iago uses Othello’s race to convince Othello that Desdemona has committed adultery: he tells Othello outright that “Her will, recoiling to her better judgement, / May fall to match you with her country forms / And happily repent” (3.3.276-278). In this quote, Iago fuels Othello’s suspicions, and he does so in a way that makes Othello feel as if he is not good enough for Desdemona because of his race. Through the juxtaposition of the phrase “happily repent,” for example, Iago creates a striking difference between the way Desdemona supposedly feels about Othello compared to how she feels towards one of her countrymen. The word “repent” conveys that Desdemona will come to express severe remorse over marrying Othello (and may even view the marriage as a sin), whereas “happily” paints a picture of Desdemona feeling overjoyed at the prospect of entering a relationship with a fellow

In the article “An Essence That’s Not Seen: The Primal Scene of Racism in Othello,” Arthur L. Little Jr. contends that Desdemona plays a vital role in Othello’s rise and fall as she is his reason for being as well as the reason he destroys himself. As Little argues, race is intertwined with Othello’s love for Desdemona as racial prejudice makes Othello instantly suspect that his life is not nearly as spotless as he would like to believe (Little 306). Shakespeare focuses on how Iago is determined to use Othello’s love against him as he acknowledges that Desdemona embodies Othello’s ability to belong in a foreign society. Iago desires to take everything that Othello holds near and dear including his military prestige and love life: “But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor, / And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets / He’s done my office. I know not if ’t be true, / But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, / Will do as if for surety. He holds me well” (1.3.323-326). “That chamberers have, or for I am declined / Into the vale of years,—yet that's not much— / She's gone. I am abused; and my relief / Must be to loathe her” (3.3265-269). In the article “Slaves and Subjects in Othello,” Camille Wells Slights contends that Othello’s view of European society reflects how Europan society has not yet developed into a society that embraces the rights of people from other backgrounds. Iago

Iago plays on Othello’s own insecurity about his race to trigger jealousy; an example of this would be his observation on lines 227 and 228, where he insinuates that Desdemona may be better suited to somebody “of her own clime, complexion and degree”. This follows a quote from Othello, stating that his relationship is ‘nature erring from itself’, allowing the audience to see his own uncertainty about his ethnic background, which Iago then develops and twists to suit his needs. Iago’s quote implies that Desdemona would be better matched with a man of similar race, such as Cassio, rather than Othello, which is designed to spark jealousy within Othello, and is shown to have a profound effect on him towards the end of the scene, with his aside to the audience “Why did I marry”.

The second event to this process of tragedy is when Iago uses the handkerchief that he had his wife take to create “proof” that Desdemona was cheating on Othello with Cassio. Already ridden with jealousy, Othello demands Iago that he must have “ocular proof” to Desdemona's “deception.” In line with his devilish plan, Iago tells Othello that, “but such a handkerchief—I am sure it was your wife's—did I today see Cassio wipe his beard with” (Shakespeare 1330), knowing full well that the handkerchief was a precious symbol of love between the moor and Desdemona, although he pretended to be oblivious. His plan once again works its “poison” upon Othello as the moor says, “now do I see

When Iago makes a point of including Othello’s race in a conversation with a confidant, it proves that he feels that Othello’s race is the reason for his actions. There is an obvious abhorrence for Othello based upon his race. Later in the play, Iago goes on to say “If she had been blessed, she would never have loved the Moor” (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum “WRAC” ). This statement shows that Iago is jealous of Othello because he won the love of Desdemona and is cause for insecurities on his part. Iago must now question his marriage and whether or not Othello is cause for infidelity. These insecurities act as extra motivation for Iago’s actions.

different point of view. To effectively manipulate one must know the weakness of the targeted person. Therefore, using their emotions to enable the manipulation easily. Othello is a tragedy, written by William Shakespeare in the seventeenth century. The play by William Shakespeare includes the character of Iago. Iago is the antagonist in Othello, who cleverly plans out his tactics. Viewing the character of Iago from an analytical point of view shows Iago exposing himself to be a psychopath. Iago can use the weakness of the characters to set up scenes, and earns himself the title “The Honest Iago.” Consequently, psychopaths act as pleasurable people, but in reality, they are different in private. A psychopath sees themselves as preferable and worthy of the respect of others. The complex character of Iago sees himself as being superior to Cassio and is inclined to seek vengeance on Cassio and Othello. The character of Cassio is similar to Othello since they both appear to be impeccable. In Othello, the complex character of “Honest Iago” creates a psychotropic weapon by using the vulnerability of the character’s emotional state to create the perfect tactics.

     Iago, the villain in Shakespeare’s Othello, is a round character of great depth and many dimensions. Iago works towards an aim that is constantly changing and becomes progressively more tragic. Yet, at times, "honest" Iago does actually seem honest. This essay will explore the complex character of "honest Iago.

Tragedy can expose humans fallibility and weaknesses. Traditionally, a tragic hero is established into three parts: hamartia, a hero’s tragic flaw; peripeteia, the change in the hero’s fortune; and catharsis, a hero’s tragic ending. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Shakespeare illustrates how a General, Othello get manipulated by his subordinate, Iago.Iago tells Othello that his wife, Desdemona is having an affair with his friend, Cassio. Othello deeply believes in Iago’s lies, and kills Desdemona and Cassio. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Shakespeare uses hamartia, peripeteia and catharsis to show that Othello is a tragic hero. Ultimately, through Othello’s tragedy the audiences learn that one’s gullibility can lead their tragedy.

To begin, Iago’s encouragement of prejudice leads to Othello’s manifestation of darkness. For instance, when Iago unveils to Rodrigo that he has a plan to attain Desdemona’s affection for him, he in contrast dehumanizes Othello he reveals that “If I the Moor I would not be Iago. In following him I follow but myself; Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, but seeming so for my peculiar end. For when my outward action doth demonstrate” (I.i.57–65). This illustrates, Iago’s true nature that he holds prejudice and hatred for Othello by referring to him as a Moor, it proves that he only views him as substandard. Iago will pretend to serve him, but in reality he is only loyal to himself. This foreshadows that Iago will use negative connotations of race to manipulate Othello into thinking he is worthless. Thus, planting in Othello’s mind thoughts of adultery and hypocrisy. Later, resulting in the uprising of jealousy and darkness of Othello’s character. So Rodrigo, can obtain Desdemona’s love. Promotion of racial bias is also, evident when Iago tries to insinuate that Desdemona is unfaithful. He argues that “not to affect many proposed matches of her own clime, complexion, and degree, Where to we see in all things nature tends—Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank, Foul disproportions,

Throughout history, there have been many human beings whom have been seen as either a hero or a villain. In their childhood, these people must had obstacles that were in their way, causing each individual to either work harder or give up. People, however; must understand that each individual has a potential in achieving their goals, but if one is mistreated or deceived due to jealousy, resentment, hatred, or ambition, it can lead to many catastrophic events. People who have pride and arrogance do not want to have equals, rather they want to see their victims suffer. These people have no difficulty in achieving their goals due to the fact that their victims have too innocent a nature to suspect the nefarious motives of their enemies. In

He gets Cassio to talk to Othello’s wife, Desdemona, to ask for his position back and he begins to point out small things like them whispering. When Cassio exits the scene when Othello approaches, Iago does not hesitate to make his move and mentions it. Asking of Iago’s suspicions, Iago says, “Good my lord, pardon me, Though I am bound to every act of duty I am not bound to that all slaves are free to Utter my thoughts” (138-140). This places Othello in the position of being alarmed because what could be so horrible that this “honest” man would want to keep secret from him. Eventually, Iago comes out with his fake suspicions and Othello somewhat believes it but wants some kind of evidence. Fortunately, Iago’s wife, Emilia gets a hold of Desdemona’s handkerchief and gives it to him. He puts more of his plan into action saying, “in Cassio’s lodging [I] lose this napkin. And let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ. (331-334). This is enough to convince Othello of Desdemona’s affair with Cassio, enraging him to want to murder the two. Othello decides he will kill his wife, and asks Iago to do the same to