Iago is one of Shakespeare’s most complex villains. Initially you get the impression that the character of Iago is one of pure evil. Right from the start of Act 1, it becomes obvious that he is capable of most anything. You see right away that he is able to give the appearance of one thing, but in reality be something quite different. He has been acting like he is interested in helping Roderigo by bringing gifts and messages to Desdemona for him. Iago is in reality using Roderigo who is very gullible and in fact not too bright.
Iago plays him like a fool, even taking money from him as payment for doing him favors. Criticism # 1 A. Introduction – The theory that Othello is a play about the jealousy of one man, not Othello but Iago, is noted by several critics of the play. B. Quotation – ” It is Iago’s own jealousy which enables him to provoke the same feelings in others, to use them to his own advantage, or at least to their disadvantage (which to him seems to be almost the same thing).
“C. Explanation – A critic on the Internet ” Dimitri Lozovoy ” believes that the reason that Iago is such a successful schemer is the ability of his own jealousy provides him to be able to recognize the potential for the same feelings in others and to exploit it to gain his own ends. When Roderigo finds out that Desdemona has eloped with Othello, he is sure that Iago must have known about it. He says ” I take it much unkindly that thou, Iago, who hast had my purse As if the strings were thine, should ” st know of this ” (45 1-3).
The Essay on Iago Othello Play One
Shakespeare might very well have made the decision to name his play "Iago" and not "Othello," but I suppose he had a knack for catchy titles. Since it is Othello's tragedy, even if it is Iago's play, "Iago" would be an inappropriate title, especially since it is not Iago's life that is ruined, and although he takes part in most-if not all-of the action in the play, it still revolves around ...
Iago is able to look Roderigo in the eye, lie to him and make him believe that he is really his friend. With his cunning ness he is not only able to talk his way out of trouble, but is actually able to turn things around so that he is in control of the situation.
Iago swears that the elopement was a complete surprise to him. Roderigo at first is still a little bit skeptical and responds ” Thou told ” st me thou didst hold him in thy hate ” (45 5).
Iago uses this opportunity to talk about himself in such a way as to get the pressure off of himself. He convinces Roderigo that he really does hate Othello by telling him how he was passed over for promotion to lieutenant. He tells Roderigo that there were three very important Venetians that tried to get Othello to give the lieutenant position to him. This is where Shakespeare develops the character of Iago beyond that of pure evil.
He adds depth to the villain Iago by making him an amoral villain instead of a typical immoral one. Iago’s scheme begins when Othello passes him over for promotion to lieutenant. He believes that Cassio is not suited for the promotion he received. ” And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician ” (5 18-19).
Iago is consumed with envy of Cassio and plots to get the position that he feels he should have been given since he was more deserving of it. Iago views himself as more deserving of the promotion to lieutenant since he is the one who has experience in the military whereas Cassio does not. We see that Iago is very smart and knows that trust is a very important tool that he can use to make things happen the way he wants. Throughout the story he is commonly known as and commonly referred to as an honest person. He even describes himself as being honest. ” I am an honest man…
(101 245).
Criticism # 2 A. Introduction – The theory that Iago is one of Shakespeare’s most intriguing and plausible villains because of his skill in manipulating his prey and numerous critics of the play note watching his deceptions wreak havoc. B. ” Feigning honesty, friendship and loyalty, he plants in Othello’s mind doubts about Desdemona’s fidelity. “C.
The Essay on "Othello" And Use Of Persuasive Language
In Shakespeare’s “Othello” persuasive language is used predominantly throughout the text, mainly by the character Iago. Iago is a very different character from all the others in the play. It is Iago’s talent for understanding and manipulating the desires of those around him that makes him both a powerful and compelling figure. Through his persuasive and manipulative nature ...
Explanation – Writers for Encyclopedia Britannica believe that cleverly combines deceit and honor. Iago is very well aware that trust is a very powerful emotion when combined with trust and he very craftily uses it to his benefit at every possible opportunity. Iago abuses peoples trust in him to his advantage. Iago sees that Roderigo is beginning to show some distrust in him by questioning why he is still working for a man that he supposedly hates. Roderigo questions this by saying to Iago ” I would not follow him then ” (7 41).
Iago quickly turns things around by responding to Roderigo ” O, sir, content you; I follow him to serve my turn upon him ” (7 44-45).
Iago is telling Roderigo that he is only following Othello to a certain point. He is revealing the fact that once he reaches that certain point, he will not follow Othello any longer. This clearly shows Iago’s use of deceit. No matter what, Iago will take advantage of Othello any time that he can. Due to the fact that Othello trusts him, he will be easily led to believe the lies of Iago. Othello put all of his trust in Iago during times of war and during his marriage to Desdemona.
Trust of Iago made him completely unaware that he was lying to him. As previously mentioned, everyone considered Iago as honest and it would therefore be out of character for Othello to believe any differently than everyone else. For example, Othello had told the Duke, ” So please your grace, my ancient; a man he is of honesty and trust. To his conveyance I assign my wife, with what else needful your good grace shall think, to be sent after me ” (49 306-309).
Despite his being manipulative, deceitful, scheming and conniving, Iago constantly tries to convince himself that all of his actions are justified.
We see this in his soliloquies. For example, ” And what’s he then that says I play the villain, when this advice I give is free and honest ” (105 315).
He then goes on to give a long list of reasons for his wanting revenge, thus rationalizing his behavior. This shows that although primarily evil, Iago does in fact have some form of a conscience (even though it may be minimal).
The Essay on Othello Anger In The Play
In the play Othello, the most powerful emotion is anger. This emotion helps to establish the plot, as it plays a vital role. Three characters that it affects in the play are Othello, Iago and Roderigo. All the characters vent their anger through violence and confrontations.Othello vents most of his anger by smothering Desdemona to death when she is on her deathbed. His anger slowly built up during ...
Criticism # 3 A.
Introduction – Several critics of the play note the theory of Iago being an evil villain. B. Quotation – ” There is some kind of mental illness that people are born without a conscience at all, but I don’t think that’s the case. Iago is definitely manipulative and determined, and I don’t think it has to do with any psychological problem. I think there is true evil, not just mental illness. “C.
Explanation – A critic on the Internet ” Mandy ” believes that Iago is more deceptive and smarter than all of the other characters including Othello. She believes that Iago is the cause of the character shift that we see in Othello. As the play shifts from Venice to Cyprus, there is an interesting contrast. Venice, a respectful and honorable town, is overshadowed by the war torn villages of Cyprus. It could be said that Venice represents good or.
