The Character of Iago in Shakespeares Othello Essay

The Character of Iago in Othello In the play Othello, the character Iago plays a paramount role in the destruction of Othello and all of those around him. Some critics state that Iagos actions are motiveless and that he is a purely evil character. However, during the course of this paper, certain motives for Iagos actions will be discussed. For the first motive to be understood the reader must become knowledgeable of Othellos heritage and the setting of the play. Othello is a Moslem from North Africa. He is living in Venice. He is the leader of the Venetian forces. Anthony Burgess, a Shakespearean critic, believes that Othellos color has nothing to do with Iagos actions. Othellos color†¦show more content†¦Even now, now, very now, an old black ram/ Is tupping your white ewe.(Othello, Act 1, scene 1, ln. 88-89). Iago knew that Othello and Desdemona had eloped and he was determined to break the couple up. Othello was a high-ranking officer in the Venetian forces, however some critics believe that to Iago, Othello was simply a Moor who had moved into his territory and taken over. Iago had reasons other than the color of Othellos skin to hate the Moor. Iago is a very secretive villain throughout the play and until the end of the play there were not many characters who knew what Iago was scheming. However, in the first scene of the play Iago tells Roderigo that he hates the Moor and despises the fact that Othello chose Michael Cassio to be his lieutenant. Iago tells this to Roderigo before he plans to seek revenge on Othello. This envy of Michael Cassio plays a very important role and is a tremendous motivational factor in the plot against Othello. Iago is so ruthless that he involves Cassio into the plot in order to ruin his reputation and career. Iago wants to destroy Cassio because he does not believe that Cassio is qualified to fulfill the position he has obtained. Iago is a very distinguishable solider who has been a military man, and Othellos right hand man, for some time. Iago has been in many battles whereas Cassio has yet to fight. Iago refers to Cassio as an arithmatician not a solider with practical experience. C assio wasShow MoreRelated The Character of Iago in Shakespeares Othello Essay1145 Words   |  5 PagesThe Character of Iago       The old clichà © One bad apple ruins the bunch is what enters ones mind when discussing the villainous, deceitful, protagonist Iago in Shakespeares tragedy Othello. It is amazing how one person alone can completely destroy, or deteriorate a group of good natured, trusting, loyal peoples lives in a matter of days- three to be exact. What is the motive behind Iagos heinous, selfish acts, one may ask? A rather obvious theme in the Shakespeares tragedy, OthelloRead More The Character of Iago in Shakespeares Othello Essay1865 Words   |  8 PagesThe Character of Iago in Othello      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   No one has ever failed to appreciate the skilled art with which Shakespeare has defined the characters of his plays; great and small alike, their distinctiveness, their dignity, their misery, and their integrity are captured and displayed.   In particular the depiction of certain characters in Othello have been universally acclaimed.   Identified by many scholars as one of Shakespeare great tragedies, along with Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear,Read More Shakespeares Othello - The Character of Iago Essay840 Words   |  4 PagesThe Character of Iago      Ã‚   In Othello, by William Shakespeare, one of the most intriguing characters is Iago. At first glance he seems to be pure evil, but I think his actions are much more complex. 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