Themes in Shakespeare's Othello Essay

Iago presents himself to the world as a faithful and honest man. In fact other people speak of him as “honest Iago”. Beneath the surface of his identity that he portrays to the world is his manipulation through lies. He uses his lies to manipulate other people and desperately wants revenge on Othello. He hates Othello so passionately because he gave the position of lieutenant up to another person instead of him. I think it could also be because of jealousy. I think he’s jealous of Cassio and Othello because later on in the story after he finally becomes lieutenant he brings up another reason to seek revenge on Othello, which was rumors of Othello sleeping with his wife. Iago is good at using people’s weaknesses to manipulate people and persuade

The story of Othello is merely a historical version of the chaos and morality that appears in the Common Era. Iago is the infamous villain that is cynical, dark, and manipulative. He lacks empathy for other human beings, and reminds me of one of the most incredible fictional villains of all time- The Joker. The Joker who appears in the movie The Dark Knight, is eerily similar to Iago. Iago is a ruthless and scheming individual. He loves to create chaos, and as his plans unfold, he relishes the pain he is causing to other individuals. He is seemingly enjoying the agony that the other characters around him are going through and feeling. As he sees how deep his schemes are progressing, he continues to add fuel to the fire and see how much damage he can cause. Iago also enjoys “watching the world burn.” He enjoys his sense of

Iago’s persona is seen very differently depending how far your are in the book. The way Iago first talks about how Othello did not choose him as his lieutenant, and the rumor about Othello sleeping with his wife makes the audience feels sympathy for him. “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place” (Act1 sc.1, 12). However, as we go on in the book, we realize how big of a villain Iago really is. He plans to take over Othello while taking advantage of Roderigo.

When pairs of texts are considered together, their universal themes and ideas lead to greater understanding, appreciation and insight of both the old and the new. The texts Othello, William Shakespeare (1600) and Othello, Geoffrey Sax (2001), ring true for this statement. Despite the differing contexts and ages, the universal themes of racism and betrayal bring new meaning to each of the texts. The primary meaning from the juxtaposition of the two is that of the human condition, and how the problems faced in the 17th century are faced in modern times.

We are introduced to the antagonist, Iago and another character that shares hate for Othello also because he loves Desdemona in Act 1 Scene 1. The first line in Act 1 Scene 1 states ' Tush, never tell me! I take it much unkindly. That thou, iago, whon hast had my purse. As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this' In translation ‘All this time I’ve thought you were such a good friend that I’ve let you spend my money as if it was yours’. That opening statement already demonstrates Iago’s inner personality and builds a slight reputation from readers for him. As Iago convinces his plan of the destruction of Othello will work, we also start to notice how casually and easily Iago can convince characters using his strong

Iago’s language reveals his racist persona. According to William Shakespeare's play Othello, in Act 1 Scene 3 Iago stated “hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to light”. By referring to Othello and Desdemona’s relationship as “monstrous” instead of a beautiful thing illustrate Iago belief that interracial marriages are unnatural and shouldn’t occur. In Act 1 Scene 3 of Shakespeare’s play Othello, Iago stated “ I hate the

Iago is one of the most misunderstood villains in Shakespeare literature. We side with Othello from the start because his name is on the cover of our paperback, we read Othello when learning about heroes, so we expect Iago to be a villain, a ruthless manipulator. We don’t know why, he doesn’t state it plainly or in simple English, so we assume that he’s evil, that he’s just a disgruntled sociopath out to exact his exaggerated revenge on good and noble Othello. Iago’s misunderstood reputation is a result of not truly examining his character, and answering the “why” factor behind his actions. After all, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. His goal in the play was not just to destroy Othello for the fun of it. His objective,

"Tush, never tell me! I take it much unkindly/ that thou, Iago, who hast had my purse/ as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this./" (I. i. 1-3) From the beginning of Othello, Iago is portrayed as an antagonist, a villain who acts out of only his own interest. The acts that Iago engages in throughout Shakespeare's Othello are erroneous acts. Iago is not insane and he can comprehend the difference between right and wrong. Shakespeare is known for his ability to focus on human flaws and teach us lessons from their misfortune. Iago's destiny with evil is due to his own flaws, jealousy, selfishness, and deceit. Because of these insecurities, Iago will stop at nothing to get even with Othello. By

What is Evil? What is this ominous being that is so greatly represented as evil, something that one views as different and in their opinion as bad or unjust. Something that causes fear in the hearts of the victim or the witness. Something that causes people or even animals, as animals and insects can feel fear as well, to have a feeling that it is better to avoid that object that of which is causing this dangerous aura of fear. In many scenarios, eventually this fear becomes too great, that people finally can’t face it anymore and take a stand.

In Act “Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! /It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss/Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger,/But, oh, what damnèd minutes tells he o'er/Who dotes, yet doubts— suspects, yet soundly loves!” (3.iii.170-175). Through Iago’s witty nature he is able to nonchalantly set his malignant plan into motion by planting a suspicion in the mind of Othello. Iago harnesses in on the envious agony he endures and uses it as a weapon on the man he is envious of, leading to the destruction of him. Iago knows the ability of jealousy, and with this he knows he can manipulate Othello and make him feel the same discomfort he himself feels. This reveals the enormous amount of preparation Iago has put into his plan and the true evil that is brewing beneath the surface. Iago's loss of self respect and his loss of respect for others have led him to be an evil scheming beast with no account for the lives of others.

The play “Othello” by William Shakespeare was written in 1604 during the Elizabeth era. Othello is one of the most extraordinary characters in all of Shakespeare’s dramas. He enjoyed unheralded success in the combat zone, which gave him the reputation as one of Venice’s most competent generals. Even though he has great success in the battlefield, he has a dramatic flaw that causes a downfall in his life. The dramatic flaw that causes his downfall is jealousy. This was brought on by a simple persuasion of Iago, the evil character in the play. Even though Iago used extreme manipulation to get Othello to be jealous, Iago did not really have to try very hard to get Othello in a jealous state of mind. Othello was blinded by his jealousy which

It is then on a theme of hate that the play opens. It is a hate of inveterate anger. It is a hate that is bound up with envy. Othello has preferred to be his lieutenant a military theorist, one Michael Cassio, over the experienced soldier Iago, to whom has fallen instead the post of “his Moorship’s ancient”. Roderigo questions Iago:

Critics have debated the significance of Othello’s race in terms of portraying his identity for a long time. The negative connotations of “blackness” have led to the creation of many racial constructs associated with the “Moor”; this denigration has infused the opinions of many critics, such as Albert Gerard, proposing that Othello’s “negroid physiognomy” reaches down to the “deepest levels of personality” and that he is a “barbarian”. However, many other critics like Edward Berry and Martin Orkin believe that colour is merely a “surface indicator” compared to the outward virtue of beneficence, defining identity. Beneficence could be defined by the will to practice good acts, in conjunction with the aversion of practicing evil, and the prevention and removal of evil.

    Who can compare in depth of evil to the villainous Iago in William Shakespeare’s tragic drama Othello? His villainy is incomparably destructive on all of those around him.

Othello is a classic of the universal literature, where human relations show a constant fight between good and evil. From the opening of the play, Shakespeare, in addition to racial and gender aspects, makes continuous religious allegory. From the stories told in the Bible and the events reported by Shakespeare can be compared to the history of destruction of life Othello with Christ, as a result of evil desires and envy. In Othello, Iago is the main driver of the action, with their manipulations makes the characters to where he wants, merciless and unscrupulous. Iago may be related to Satan, because their actions are for the purpose of self-interest, with perversion and harm to others. Shakespeare makes one of his first allusions to the perversion