Revenge in Othello Revenge plays a pivotal role in the plot of Othello, it drives the story, and takes the characters to the brink. In the play, Iago is passed up for the position of Othello’s second in command, or his lieutenant, and so begins a crusade of revenge against the Moor, first attempting to sabotage his wedding, and then proceeding to tearing down his entire life. This thirst for revenge spreads pain and suffering to all the major characters in the play, and without it, there would be no action. However, while all of the characters in Othello have tasted the poison of Iago’s revenge, Othello, and Desdemona have suffered it the most. Before delving into the effects of Iago’s revenge, it is necessary to first discuss his motivations in the act and why it is …show more content…
She shines through Iago’s web of revenge as a symbol of purity, having done nothing wrong. However, it is her who Iago hurts the most. Through no fault of her own, her husband is turned against her and eventually kills her. Beyond the obvious, Iago hurts her in more subtle ways. Her treasured handkerchief which she received from Othello is used as an instrument of revenge to bring her down. Iago uses the handkerchief to trick Othello into believing that Desdemona has been disloyal, “I know not that, but such a handkerchief—I am sure it was your wife’s—did I today See Cassio wipe his beard with.(3.3.447-449)” Here, Iago uses a simple, easily believable fib, to attempt to persuade Othello to believe him. Of course, since Iago is in possession of the handkerchief, it is easy for him to plant it on Cassio, and prove him invariably guilty. Desdemona is none the wiser to the loss of her handkerchief and is unawares that it is being used to turn her true love against her. In this way, Iago turns both the handkerchief and Othello against Desdemona, and fashions all three into weapons for Othello’s
The handkerchief is significant to the plot, mainly to Iago's manipulation of Othello and his convincing the latter of Desdemona's infidelity. Moreover, it sheds light over Iago, Desdemona, Othello and Emilia's characters, and is thus important to characterisation. The symbolic significance attached to the handkerchief reveals Othello's social background, his treatment of Desdemona and the latter's feelings towards her husband.
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.
Coupled with Emilia’s obedience to Iago, his ploy can finally convince Othello of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness. Emilia does not agree with her husband, Iago very much, but she does obey him when she has the opportunity to do so. However, Emilia picks up Desdemona’s handkerchief, with no thought, only that it will please her husband, “what he will do with it /heaven knows, not I; /I nothing but please his fantasy,” (OTH.III.III.297-289). Subsequently, this handkerchief may not have much meaning to Emilia at this moment, but once she finally discovers the truth about her husband, she immediately accuses her husband of being a villain, and dies by his hands. Correspondingly, Emilia is also loyal to her husband, to such an extent as to lie to Desdemona about where her handkerchief has gone. As Desdemona worryingly searches for her handkerchief, Emilia denies knowing where she could have lost it, and suggests a different reason for Othello’s uneasiness, “I know no madam… /Is he not jealous?” (OTH.III.IV.14, 20). Emilia knows where the handkerchief has gone, but remains silent because her husband, Iago has told her to. As a result of Emilia’s loyalty Iago does not need to worry about others discovering where Othello’s handkerchief
Iago’s revenge plan started because he wanted a higher position in the army. The position that Iago wanted was the one that Cassio had. So he knew the only way to get this was through the “easy prey” (spark notes) Othello. Iago saw Othello as an easy target because of his insecurities of marrying Desdemona and his trusting nature. Othello was insecure because he was a man
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
It is said that those who seek revenge essentially dig two graves; one for their opposer and one consequently for themselves. The tragic play by William Shakespeare; Othello illustrates how far jealousy can be fueled and the measures taken to act upon it. Shakespeare constantly uses vengeance as a theme throughout the tragedy via his antagonist; Iago. " Honest Iago" is Othello's ensign (plays a role in the military) and begins his plot against Othello because he feels robbed of his 'rightful' position as lieutenant which is given to Michael Cassio instead. This feeling of betrayal from a friend causes Iago to become bitter and upset which begins his quest for Othello's destruction as "there's no remedy"(11).
The handkerchief plays an important role in the deception of Iago because by allowing Othello to see an item with such value to him, Iago is able to add words of dishonesty and cloud the mind of the Moor to shape his feelings to his desire; this is turn makes Iago plan on killing Desdemona and Cassio and get them out of the picture. Although Iago's initial plan was to get rid of Cassio he does not mind killing Desdemona; in fact Iago does not care who died in the play, he even killed his own wife. Iago' lack of empathy helped him very much in the play since he was able to not care about someone and that in turn helped him nearly achieve what he wanted since the beginning; a sociopath always does at it takes to achieve their goals and Iago was no exception to this mindset.
’s chivalry towards Desdemona to later convince Othello of Desdemona’s infidelity. (Act II, Scene 1, Lines 955-965) As the play progresses, Iago plants seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind about Desdemona’s loyalty. His plan came together when Emilia gives him the handkerchief- the item that gives Othello the circumstantial proof he requested to prove Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. (Act III, Scene 3,
In William Shakespeare’s play, “Othello” Iago provokes the characters to secretly follow his iniquitous plans. With jealously running through his veins, due to the fact that he did not get promoted to Lieutenant, Iago wants to get revenge on Othello. Despite it seeming like an issue between two characters, Iago uses his cruelty to affect all those around him. Subsequently by the end of the play, most characters in the play reveal more about themselves than Iago does.
Iago is one of the most prominent and cryptic villains of all time presented first in William Shakespeare’s tragic play “Othello”. He’s a true artist of evil, single-handedly ruining and killing the lives of multiple notable characters--including protagonist Othello and his loving wife Desdemona. However, Iago presents a character of many unsolved puzzles. Why must he enact revenge? What other motives does he have against Othello?
In “Othello,” the handkerchief is what Iago
Iago has many reasons to hate Othello, including the fact that he had been passed over for a promotion, in which Othello had snatched the position, and he also suspects Othello had slept with Emilia. These reasons were given to the audience, as Iago, himself, reveals his reasons to Roderigo, “ I hate the Moor; and it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets 'has done my office. I know not if't be true; yet I, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety.” (1.3.378-82). Iago is never turned back on his plan to ruin Othello and the people surrounding him, since he is always contemplating on how Othello doesn’t deserve his accolades, and how Iago is plotting revenge against him. This keeps Iago to consistently, and deliberately continue with his strategies, which keeps the audience empathetic for the rest of the story. Iago is also jealous of Othello’s ability to woo and lure Desdemona, “It cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moor ... She must change for youth. When she is sated with his body, she will find the error of her choice.” (1.3.340). However, Even if Iago had received the promotion; even if he had no suspicions or jealous feelings, he would still invent new motives for hating the Moor, as he is the devil of the story. Iago is not capable of performing good deeds, sustaining good relationships, or even
Iago is the manipulative villain in the play and cause Othello to be jealous. “I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets he has done my office. I know not if’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety” (1.3 430-433). Iago reveals his motivation to destroy Othello as there’s a rumor that Othello is sleeping with his wife, Emilia. This rumor caused only more hatred towards Othello. Later on, Iago had malicious plan which involved to create an illusion of Desdemona and Cassio sleeping with one another. Also, he used the handkerchief as a way to show affair of Desdemona and Cassio’s relationship. “Trifles light as air. Are to the jealous confirmations strong. As proofs of holy writ. This may do something” (3.3.370-372).Handkerchief symbolizes the love of Desdemona and Othello. It shows how much they care for one another. Iago realizes the significance of the handkerchief and takes advantage of it. Iago saying that the handkerchief is in Cassio’s possession shows that Desdemona is faithless. Losing the handkerchief was the push that drove Othello to become a violent and vengeful
While filling Othello’s ears with lies and hatred, Iago says that “I know not that: but such a handkerchief I am sure it was your wife’s- did I today see Cassio wipe his beard with” (Shakespeare, 67). Iago is poisoning Othello’s ears by telling him about the ocular proof that Othello was asking for all along. Furthermore, Iago uses another excellent technique to manipulate Othello by making remember the past events. Iago says to Othello that, “she did deceive her father, marrying you, and when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks, she loved them most” (Shakespeare, 59). Iago is explaining to Othello that if Desdemona can deceive her father by marrying Othello, she can deceive him too. Iago also tells Othello that Desdemona fell for his looks because he is an outsider. Iago is excellent at manipulating the situation and filling others’ ears with lies, which makes his plan successful without anyone suspecting him.
The handkerchief missing only stirs the pot for upcoming chaos. According to the magical powers of the handkerchief, to lose it, Othello claims is to lose his love for her. Upon discovering it to be suddenly misplaced, this only continues to benefit Iago, and the revenge he sets to pursue. With the loss of the handkerchief, it only adds more strain onto the marriage of Desdemona and Othello. Throughout the story, the handkerchief is observed to be Iago’s secret weapon for his revenge. With it, Iago is able to double-cross the people that seem to get in his way of his plan (Ardolino 1). However, most is achieved with some unintended help. Many of his set intentions are accomplished with the aid of his charm and, with the help of his wife, Emilia. This is observed when he requests for her to retrieve the handkerchief for him. Although, she isn’t seems quite hesitant of what he asks, considering Desdemona is a close friend, she obeys, despite knowing what she’s really doing for Iago. Emilia only seems to view the handkerchief as a way to satisfy her husband in the hopes of him desiring her. By this, Iago is exposed to only show appreciation and affection towards her if she has anything to provide for him.