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Characterisation Of Iago And Iago In William Shakespeare's Othello

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Shakespeare created the character of Iago in a complex way that made critics differ when interpreting the role he played in the Othello drama. A.C. Bradley consider that the tragedy is “the undoing of the noble Moor by the devilish cunning of Iago,” (1963[1952], p. 137). It was external evil, the malice of the devil, that turned a happy story of romantic lovers who were capable to live happily ever after, so to speak – into a tragedy’ while literary critic F. R. Leavis attacks the Bradley view, asserting that the fact is that in Shakespeare’s tragedy of Othello Othello is the chief personage – the chief personage in such a sense that the tragedy may fairly be said to be Othello’s character in action. Iago is subordinate and merely ancillary.” (p. 138).
Surely there is some truth in both views. Whether we agree or disagree with these views depends on how we read the whole play, and how we understand Shakespeare’s characterisation of Othello and Iago throughout.
From beginning to end Iago moves the characters of Othello as if they were chessmen. He uses their individual passions and aspirations to motivate them to whatever deceitful plan
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Iago is very manipulative. Iago is a principal at manipulation. Through his plain words, he plants seeds of doubt in Othello.
Iago can be blamed for Othello's downfall because it is his inherent evil, jealousy, bitterness, and resentment towards the general that leads him to begin an evil plot, not only to punish him but to get rid of him totally. Iago's ill-feeling towards the general occurs even before Othello's appointment of Cassio as his lieutenant.
Iago is the most important cause of the tragedy. The main and predominant reason that brings about the tragic downfall of Othello is Iago's highly sophisticated art of bluff, and his unbelievable ability and understanding for manipulating the mind and feelings of the every other
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