An Analysis of Iago’s Morality in Othello, a Play by William Shakespeare

Is lago evil or does he have logical or even good motives? His motives cannot be called “good” according to any definition of the word. lago is evil because good motives express love, place others above self, and intend to benefit others. First, lago by no mean performs his actions out of love. In Act One Scene One, the very beginning of the play, lago repeatedly informs Roderigo of his hatred of the Moor. From then on, lago’s hatred of Othello is obvious; lago constantly plots horrible thing which will cause Othello pain and suffering. lago’s hatred even takes on a dark nature of its own.

“I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets ‘Has done my office.”(lago, 1.3.429-31). Notice lago does not say “I hate the Moor, Because”; he says “I hate the Moor, And”. This wording suggests lago’s hatred of Othello is independent of any cause. Othello and Emilia’s supposed infidelity does not caused lago’s hatred because the hate is preexisting. Second, lago does not get Roderigo, Desdemona, Emilia, and Othello killed for a selfless reason. One of lago’s reasons for doing these horrible things is he wants to be lieutenant, which is a selfish and bad reason to get people killed.

“I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof At Rhodes, at Cyprus… must be beleed and calmed by debitor and creditor.”(lago, 1.1.29 33). Iago thinks he deserves the lieutenancy because he has proven himself in battle. Thus, how dare a mere bookkeeper keep him from his rightful position. Selfishly, lago becomes willing to do anything and hurt anyone, even his wife, to become lieutenant. lago also selfishly lets his hatred destroy lives. He allows his plot to exact revenge and to gain the lieutenancy expand irresponsibly. Lastly, lago intends to benefit no one but himself. He desires for his plan to harm Cassio and Othello. The entire goal of the first action of lago’s plan is to get Cassio fired. In Act two, lago convinces Cassio to drink to the point of drunkenness and has Roderigo anger him.

Then in Act five, lago and Roderigo attempts to kill Cassio; this definitely is not intending to benefit others. lago also wants to ruin Othello’s marriage. “O, you are well tuned now, But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music.” (lago, 2.2.218-19). lago clearly states he means to ruin Othello and Desdemona’s marital harmony at which he succeeds. lago lies to Othello about an affair between Desdemona and Cassio. Othello then becomes so suspicious of Desdemona’s infidelity he agrees to kill her when lago suggests he should. Again, lago helps no one but himself. When one examines the definition of good motives, it becomes apparent lago is in fact evil. Hatred, selfishness, and intent to cause harm motivated lago. These are the antonyms of a good motive. Therefore, lago must be evil.

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Shakespeare’s portrayal of Othello

In Shakespeare’s time black people were classed as second-class citizens. They were often looked at as devil-like and evil. This was, however, a stereotypical view, often accepted by the people of Shakespeare’s day.

People looked at the Bible to show that black people were devil-like and evil. The Bible tells the story of Noah and the Ark. In the Ark it was forbidden to have children, as there would not be enough food. However, Ham, one of Noah’s sons, decided to disobey these rules, as he wanted to have the son who would be ruler of the world. When Noah found out and they returned to land, Noah banished Ham to Africa. Ham had committed sin and was evil and devil-like because he had disobeyed his father for his own self-interest, risking the lives of others in the Ark. As black people were said to have originated form Africa, where Ham was banished, they could be descendants of Ham, who was evil, and therefore black people were evil and devil-like too.

Black people were also said to be over-sexed, unstable, irrational, suffer from fits, and be devil-like. In the prejudiced mind, Shakespeare presents Othello to match all of these stereotypical categories that black people were said to be. People with an open mind, however, can simply see that Othello is a man in love.

In Act 4, Scene 1, line 40, Othello has a fit. This matches with the stereotypical view that back people have fits. However, Othello has a fit because he was in a rage. The reason being that he had become so disturbed by the stories of his beloved wife having been unfaithful. It is possible for anyone, white or black, to have a fit if they were as distressed as Othello was.

Othello may be seen as over-sexed. He talks in a very passionate manner. Shakespeare presents Othello to have a glorified situation of his and Desdemona’s affection for each other. It is more likely; therefore, that Othello is infatuated in their love than over-sexed. The depth of his passionate language, in which you can see that his love is more than a hallucination, is shown throughout the beginning of the play. “Amen to that, sweet powers/ cannot speak enough of this content/ it stops me here: it is too much joy”(II i 188). Othello declares this after he and Desdemona are reunited after their journey to Cyprus. Othello is talking passionately to Desdemona, however, this does not immediately prove him of being over-sexed, it shows the love he is sharing with Desdemona.

Othello could be seen as irrational when he kills Desdemona by smothering her, Act 5, Scene 2, and Line 85. Iago, however, is far more irrational then Othello ever could have be seen to be and Iago is white. Iago’s irrationality can be seen in one of his soliloquies. ” I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip, / Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb-/ For I fear Cassio with my night cap too-“(II i 286-288). Here Iago is saying how he believes his wife has been sleeping with Cassio, of which he has no verification. He says in effect that he wants Cassio dead. This shows Iago’s irrationality because he has no reason to have Cassio dead, or to even contemplate that he has slept with his wife. Iago provokes many deaths, without remorse, which shows that he has extreme irrationality.

Being devil-like was another typical view people had of blacks. Othello while he is in a rage could be seen as devil-like. ” Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin;/ For to deny each article with oath/ Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception/ That I do groan withal. Thou art to die” (V ii 54-56). Othello speaks these words to Desdemona before he murders her. Othello has no prove of her infidelity, except from what Iago has told him. Othello is in a huge rage as he is about to kill her and therefore could be seen as devil-like.

Iago is also very devil-like, more than Othello and he is white. This contradicts the stereotypical view of black people in Shakespeare’s’ time. Act 5 Scene 2 Line 235 Iago kills his wife Emilia for speaking of Desdemona’s faithfulness, therefore showing Iago’s deceitfulness.

Shakespeare cleverly presents Othello stereotypically, but also as a normal person. He could have done this to suit the different audiences, but he may have used these contradictions as a way of making people less prejudiced. Shakespeare thought carefully about the presentation of Othello’s character as it shows two sides of a black man.

Othello is a great general who has also won the affections of a white woman. Shakespeare was not the first to have presented a black man on stage. But he was the first to have not presented that black character as beastly and ferocious. He presents a warrior with great passion.

Othello’s language throughout the play is full of great passion. “All’s well now, sweeting; come away to bed”(II i 234). This is one example of Othello’s passion. At this point in Othello his passion is only towards Desdemona in a loving way. As Othello develops, Othello’s passion changes as he becomes wrapped in a passion of jealousy. Othello then becomes an uncontrollable, violent man. Othello never stops his passionate loving for Desdemona but feels it his duty to kill her before she breaks more men’s hearts. “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men”(V ii 6). Othello says these words to himself while Desdemona is sleeping, before he is about to smother her.

At the beginning of Othello you would never have thought that anything could ever come between a couple bearing so much love for each other. However, all that was needed to break this loving couple apart was Iago, gently introducing ideas, mentioning, just little things like Cassio’s quick departures from Desdemona. “Cassio, my lord; No sure I cannot think it/ That he would steal away so guilty-like, / Seeing you coming.”(III iii 38-40). Iago keeps slipping in comments about Desdemona, until Othello becomes so caught up with jealousy that he is convinced of his wife’s unfaithfulness. As Othello has so much passion, his anger is brewed into a huge mental tornado, which takes time to build up, but when at full strength can destroy even what seem like the strongest things, Othello and Desdemona’s marriage, and resulting in the death of Desdemona.

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How and why does Iago convince Othello of Desdmona’s infidelity?

Shakespeare is often referred to as the greatest playwright that ever lived. His comedies have made many laugh, his tragedies many have cried over and romances that have touched millions. Shakespeare’s writing although hundreds of years old are always relevant to our lives because that is what they are about, life. Shakespeare deals with all aspects of human nature and flaws. He greatly exaggerates a particular flaw in each of his tragic heroes. This flaw brings about their downfall.

In the course of one conversation Iago convinces a man who loves his wife completely that she is in fact having an affair with one of his most trusted subjects without using one shred of proof or any real basis. This is a man who can make the most innocent of people guilty and the most loved, hated. He uses many tactics to persuade Othello that is cheating on him with Cassio, the reason, is revenge. Iago is a very cunning and manipulative man. He is also often irrational and erratic. He will go to any means to get what he wants and in this case he doesn’t mind ruining three people in the process.

At the beginning of the play we hear of Iago’s rage at the fact that Cassio was made lieutenant instead of him. Iago feels that he was the better candidate and deserves the position. Iago isn’t hard pushed to find a way of getting revenge. Othello often says that without Desdemona he would be in chaos, “But I do love thee; and when I love thee not, chaos is come again. ” Iago uses this, because he wants to create chaos, which is one of the major themes of the play. Other major themes include relationships, jealousy, love and deceit.

Luck provides him with the opportunity to stage an affair between Cassio and Desdemona, driving Othello to insanity and resulting in the death of Desdemona and Othello. Iago becomes very jealous of Othello because of his position in the Venetian Army. He is also sexually attracted to Desdemona but that is not a real reason for hating Othello, his mind concocts stories which he believes are true and thus making himself think acceptable to take revenge on Othello by sleeping with his wife. Iago believes that Othello has slept with his wife Emilia, “leapt into his seat”, he wants revenge for this too, “not out of absolute lust”.

He wants to sleep with Desdemona for revenge not just for pleasure. He appears to be sexually frustrated as he also presumes that Cassio has also slept with Emilia, “I fear Cassio with me nightcap too”. Throughout the play he often refers to sex as lustful and nothing to do with love. This is emphasised in his disbelief that Othello and Desdemona’s relationship is based on love. Through this we have to consider the reasons why he feels this way. Can he not love someone? He finds it easy enough to kill his own wife at the end of the play, yet is constantly reaffirming his “love” for Othello.

We know he uses this as a tactic for Othello to gain faith in Iago, but could there be more? This plot is an obsession for Iago, his jealousy rules him. Could this mission be his only love? To understand how Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio we must look at the events beforehand which Iago directs to his own advantage. It starts when Cassio and Desdemona greet each other; Iago forms the plan that Cassio will be target. Cassio and Desdemona are friendly to each other and Iago can see how this could appear to be more than just friendship.

Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? ” In Elizabethan times this was deemed as highly intimate and personal, this would have been an activity that only a couple would engage in. By claiming that Cassio was stroking Desdemona’s hand, he is suggesting that they are a couple or intimate with each other. Iago sees the opportunity and uses his knowledge of Cassio to get him into a fight with Roderigo. Iago knows that this will outrage Othello and Cassio will want to redeem himself. Iago has planted the circumstances for Cassio to plead with Desdemona so that she will speak to Othello on Cassio’s behalf.

Iago knows that Desdemona will take up Cassio’s plight for she is a good person. “I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me”. Desdemona doesn’t realise that Iago is abusing her goodwill so that it will bring about her own downfall. Othello doesn’t see it as strange that Desdemona is supporting Cassio for he knows what type of person she is. It is Iago that uses this as a basis for an affair between Cassio and Desdemona. Iago fools many of the main characters. He only gets away with this because they trust him and this protects him from any questioning. His cunning means that the events can occur, building the play.

He uses this to his own benefit, talking Cassio into pleading with Desdemona and inducing Othello to believe that Desdemona is having an affair. Throughout the play Iago is described as an “honest” man, which to the audience seems ironic because really everything the man says they know to be a lie. Desdemona describes as, “o that’s an honest fellow”, Othello thinks “This fellow’s of exceeding honest,” and Cassio too sees him as honest, “… honest Iago. ” It surprises the audience that the characters are so blind to Iago’s faults but then we must understand that he has never done anything that could make them doubt him.

He is an idyllic picture, a man who is loyal and trustworthy, they could never imagine that he is capable of deceit. Iago’s effectiveness at noticing innocent situations and making them look suspect is another way in which he gets Othello to believe in Desdemona’s unfaithfulness. When Othello first enters the room at the start of Act III Scene III, Cassio hurriedly leaves the room after speaking with Desdemona. Cassio does this completely innocently, he leaves because he doesn’t want to annoy Othello any more than he has already, he feels disgraced and is ashamed, and he cannot face Othello.

Iago successfully twists this situation- “That he would steal away so guilty like- seeing you coming. ” Iago explains Cassio’s guilt as that he has been sleeping with Desdemona. Of course the reader knows that is not true, but to Othello, the way that he hurries away, once pointed out to him by Iago, does look very suspicious. This is even more enhanced in Othello’s mind when immediately afterwards Desdemona starts defending Cassio and pesters Othello to re-instate him. This combined with Iago’s perverting of the situation looks very abnormal to Othello.

Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona is sleeping with Cassio by very through very calculated steps. In each instance he builds on Othello’s insecurities and his trust in him. He is successful in commanding the lack of evidence to his own advantage. Othello trusts Iago as he sees him as a loyal subject. Iago starts by questioning Cassio and Othello’s relationship. He does this by asking suggestive questions, “Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady know of your love? ” By doing this he is making Othello consider their past and what effect it could have on the present.

When Othello questions him further he refuses to answer a question directly. “Honest my lord? ” By doing this it is as if he is trying to protect Othello, by keeping something from him. This will make Othello want to know the truth even more as it is human nature to be curious; after all we all want to know details especially if you know that really you shouldn’t hear it. For Othello to believe in what Iago is about to tell him Othello must trust him. Iago needs to know that his news will not be instantly dismissed, he does this by the affirmation of his love. ” My lord you know I love you”.

This is his basis, if you genuinely trust someone you believe in what they tell you. Othello and Iago had fought together in wars and it is most likely that they had often held each other’s lives in their hands. So Othello would never believe that Iago would turn against him so suddenly, especially as for the large majority of the play, Iago looks to be nothing more than a completely loyal servant to Othello. He refuses to tell Othello what he’s thinking. “Utter my thoughts? Why say they are vile and false? ” He doesn’t want to say anything bad or untrue, after all he is Othello’s loyal servant and would not want to hurt him.

He also doesn’t want to leave himself out for blame by playing this way he can say that Othello pressurised the information out of him even when he wasn’t sure it was true. Iago is good at planting ideas. ” O beware my lord of jealousy”. Iago suggests what Othello should be thinking and feeling. Even if Othello wasn’t previously jealous because maybe he didn’t believe fully, now Iago has told him exactly what he should be feeling. By warning Othello has in fact put it in his utmost mind. Iago plays on the fact that Othello is not of Venetian society.

He explains that there are differences in social attitudes. ” In Venice they do not let God see the pranks they have not shown their husbands”. Othello cannot question this as he is from a different background and already feels compromised. Although when in Venice, he appears to be a strong-minded character, proves to have low self-esteem, this low opinion of himself may stem from being racially self-conscious. But some may argue that race would not have been an issue, it is more to do with the fact that he comes from a different society, an outsider who knows little of how their expectations.

Although no mention is ever made of it, Othello views himself as different, which he is, from the rest of Venetian society. In was shock to everyone and probably even Othello that one of the most eligible women in Venice has fallen in love with him. So when Iago starts telling Othello of a relationship between Cassio and his wife, the rumours about Desdemona and the fact that she had refused men of higher status than Othello, “Not to affect many proposed matches of her own clime, complexion and degree… ” he believes it may be true.

Also he reminds Othello of what her father said when he first found out about Desdemona planning to marry Othello without his consent- “Look to her Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: She has deceived her father and may thee”. To which Othello replies “My life upon her faith”. Much of Othello deals with pride and reputation, for Othello now to hear about Desdemona’s unfaithfulness, after he replied so convincingly that he trusts her completely, would certainly start to worry him. After all, if what Iago had been telling Othello was true, then Othello had been made to look a complete fool by Desdemona in a very short period of time.

Iago often uses very crude language and often refers to animal imagery. He belittles Othello and Desdemona’s relationship, regarding it in its most instinctive form, a sexual relationship, “… you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse;” Othello however approaches it as serious and loving relationship, “… Nor to comply with heat the young affects in me defunct and proper satisfaction; But to be free and bounteous to her mind. ” That is why the audience is particularly amazed that Othello resorts to animalistic images too. Othello refers to Desdemona as “haggard”, a hawk that cannot be tamed.

He also refers to himself as a “toad”; this is a far cry from the man who stood in front of the Duke and other important men of Venice declaring his love. Shakespeare uses this technique to show us that Othello has lost his confidence and is no longer self-assured. As he becomes more and more angry his control through his speech begins to slip, no longer does he speak in long flowing sentences but now in exclamations, which hints at his loss of capability to loose his temper. He is also speaking in a similar way to Iago, This may symbolise that he has come to think in the same manner.

These images show us the depth of Othello’s jealousy, the woman he loved he now disparage. When Othello begins to fall into the trap that Iago has set out, there is only one thing that would convince him completely. The principal method that Iago uses to convince Othello of Desdemona’s infidelity is by using one of Othello’s most treasured possessions and telling Othello that his wife, Desdemona has given it away to her lover, Cassio. The handkerchief was the first gift he gave to Desdemona, so it possesses enormous sentimental value to Othello. Finding out that Desdemona has given it away shows her as inimical.

It must have hurt and angered him, after all the woman he loves and is married to has given away without a care for him, would almost certainly anger him, for in Othello’s mind she has thought the handkerchief to be a meaningless piece of cloth. Iago tells Othello that he saw Cassio wiping his mouth with it, much like a rag. ” 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”. This enough proof for Othello to be convinced that Iago is telling the truth and for him to kill both Desdemona and Cassio.

Within these three says let me hear thee say that Cassio’s not alive. ” And, “I will withdraw to furnish me with some swift means of death for the fair devil. ” The fair devil refers to Desdemona. This oxymoron suggests that Othello still sees her as divine and yet he has lost his faith in her. Of course, the main way Iago fools Othello is by pure luck. That luck being that a lot of the things that Cassio and Desdemona say and do fall right into the trap and further convince Othello of a relationship between the two of them. When he first sees them together and Cassio scurries away, Iago jumps on the opportunity.

Another example of this is found further on in the play when by controlling the circumstances Iago gets Cassio to talk disparagingly about Bianca, while Othello thinks the conversation is about Desdemona. The luck of this situation is gargantuan; one mention of the name Bianca and Othello would realise that Cassio was really speaking about her, fortuitously for Iago, Cassio does not mention Bianca’s name once in the entire conversation. Shakespeare often presents the true feelings of the characters through soliloquies.

Through Iago’s soliloquy we see that Iago is an opportunist and amoral. The Moor already changes with my poison… ” This line shows that Iago’s plan is having the desired effect. Other characters in Shakespeare’s plays have shown conscience to the fact that they are doing wrong, and have felt some remorse, we can see this in Macbeth’s soliloquy, “First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself. ” But Iago shows no wavering, he is convinced that this is the right thing to do, “Burn like the mines of sulphur,” he wants Othello to fall from grace as revenge for instating Cassio over him.

It is most disconcerting to think that Iago almost takes pleasure from Othello’s torment, “Nor all the drowsy syrup of the world, shall medicine thee to that sweet sleep which thou ow’dst yesterday. ” Othello is the typical “tragic hero” that Shakespeare incorporated in many of his works, a man who sets out to do his very best, but through one flaw he is bought down. This has an enormous effect on the audience. The audience know that he is a good man, but circumstances are working against him, leaving the audience frustrated at his own idiocy for not realising and making the amendments.

Often as the audience we feel like screaming at him for being so blind to the facts, we are drained of our emotions. Shakespeare intended this; he used the ancient Greek method of Catharsis. Shakespeare had to make the main character likeable enough for the audience to warm to him and suffer his pain, but still make sure that in the end his tragic flaw shone through. Othello’s main flaw is his jealousy. Othello’s other flaws are pride and gullibility. Iago however can not be blamed for everything; he did not murder Desdemona nor kill Othello.

The characters must have a motive of their own and therefore is there not a basis for Othello to be pushed into murdering his wife? Many would say that by removing Iago the couple would live happily ever after, but mustn’t there be a reason for why Othello was pushed so readily into murder. Othello acts like a confident man when in Venice, he has the support of his wife and men like Cassio. Remove the safety of that support and you would find a man alone in a foreign country which has different values and expectations, maybe in reality Othello knew that he could not belong in Venetian society and not with Desdemona.

Our view of Othello progresses as the play develops. The first mention of Othello is by Iago; he presents him to the audience as someone with poor judgement as he has promoted the wrong person and through repellent sexual images, as someone grotesque. Yet others, like the Duke see Othello as “… valiant… ” From the beginning Othello is authoritative and confident, but without the knowledge that Desdemona is faithful to him, he collapses. Othello’s lack of judgement is shown when he lets suspicion of Desdemona having an affair with Cassio take over his mind, stopping all rational thought.

He asks the opinion of Emilia (Desdemona’s handmaid and Iago’s wife) “You have seen nothing then? ” Even though she replied “Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect” he does not believe her because his poisoned mind can’t accept it. This is an issue that reigned in the Elizabethan times, people of his social status could not loose their power, it disrupted the hierarchy and made those below them feel uneasy. Society was very structured and those at the top would have a ripple effect on everyone below. We also notice in Shakespeare’s plays that the tragic hero is always a man of position, Kings, noble men or army officials.

This is so that they have a position to fall from, there would be no point in having an ordinary man in a story like this, the tragic hero is meant to be almost perfect, but not quite. This can be linked to the tragic hero King Lear; he is far too trusting and divides his country between his two treacherous daughters, which inevitably leads to his death. Through King Lear Shakespeare looks at madness and through the character of Othello he shows us how the people we surround ourselves with can create this.

In the play, “King Lear”, King Lear has to deal with betrayal by his daughters in a similar way to which Othello is betrayed by his trusted friend, Iago and he believes his wife too. Like Othello Lear looks for justice instead of the revenge that Iago seeks. “It shall be done; I will arraign them straight. Come, sit thou here most learned justicer. “(King Lear, Act 3 scene 6) it indicates that a desire of order and justice is starting to replace the chaos and thoughts of savage revenge in Lear’s mind; it marks the start of his journey away from insanity.

This insanity is similar to what Iago creates in Othello, he creates jealousy and through that chaos. All of the main themes are present in Act III Scene III. The fight of good against evil is represented in Othello’s struggle with Iago. The theme of chaos verses order is shown through Othello’s gradual recede in anguish. Othello’s overpowering jealousy blinding him from the truth and Iago’s revenge which bring about the chaos and evil. Despite wanting to kill his wife Othello’s love for her still remains.

In his soliloquy before killing Desdemona he states his love for her, however Othello thinks murder is the only punishment worthy of betrayal “yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men”. Othello’s jealousy is now at peak level, he still can’t show rational thought and is blind about the true horror he is about to do. Even when he speaks to her and she denies ever giving Cassio the handkerchief he doesn’t believe her, “Yes, presently; therefore confess thee freely of thy sin; for to deny each article with oath cannot remove nor choke the strong conception that I do groan withal.

Thou art to die. ” It is ironic that Othello believes every lie that Iago fed him and yet cannot believe a single truth that the woman he loves tells him. “I never did offend you in my life; never lov’d Cassio but with such general warranty of heaven as I might love; I never gave him token. ” After killing his bride he is brought out of his trance and realises the mistakes he has made. Iago’s scheme is brought out into the open. Emilia brings out the scheme when the truth is told about the true goings on.

At this point in the play Othello’s heroic qualities are put on show for the audience once more. “Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice: then, must you speak of one that lov’d not wisely but too well; of one not easily jealous, but, being wrought, perplex’d in the extreme. ” Having realised the horror of the situation he takes full blame for his actions and commits suicide and lies next to his beloved bride to die.

Iago is a man who is out for his own gain, and there are many people in our society who are like him. He is a character who knows how to direct circumstances to his own purpose, unfortunately the other character do not see this and are spun into his web of lies. By luck and tactics like planting ideas and evidence he is able to persuade Othello into thinking that Desdemona is having an affair and get his revenge. Through this catharsis we realise that in Iago Shakespeare has created that ultimate embodiment of evil and malice.

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Othello: Explain the important and effectiveness of ‘Act three, Scene three’

In the 17th century, Shakespeare found the plot for ‘Othello’ in Giraldi Ginthio’s collection of tales ‘Hicatomithi’ (1565). The play itself is set in the 16th century Venice and Cyprus. At the time of Shakespeare, Turks were considered to be barbarians as opposed to the Christians who represented civilization and morality. In the play there is a reference to a Turkish naval attack on the Venetian controlled land of Cyprus. It’s because of this battle that most of the plot takes place in Cyprus.

The third scene of the third act in the play is an intense and important scene, which displays the turning point of events that begun in the previous two acts. Such events as the migration of Othello, the moor, Desdemona, Othello’s wife, Iago, Othello’s ensign, Cassio, Othello’s lieutenant, Roderigo, Iago’s friend, and many Venetian men and women, from Venice to Cyprus. This change of location for the characters and the plot led to opportunities for later aspects of the play; in particular the evil plan created by Iago began to take shape as things fell to place in his favour.

In act three, scene three, and the audience can witness Iago’s newly found control over the general, Othello. Iago manages to convince Othello that Desdemona is having an affair and is a false woman. This definitely comes as a shock to the audience due to the good, loyal and trusting image of Othello that they saw at the start of the play. There is also a display of Iago’s power of manipulation that allows him to use them in any way he wants, so he can achieve his goals.

Othello is much changed in this scene; he believes that his wife is having an affair and starts to have doubts in the marriage he so strongly believed in. Othello shows signs to his more vulnerable and weaker side that makes the audience question his character. The events in this scene build up to a tragic ending that the audience can predict from the moment they realise Iago’s evil plan and role in act three. Tragedy is inevitable and the audience can clearly see it, due to their understanding of Shakespeare’s real intensions in the scene.

In conclusion it can be said that in this central scene of the play, Othello begins to lose control of the situation and Iago takes possessions. Scene three is the turning point of events in the play. It’s the point where Iago’s plan starts to fall in place and the audience notice the power of Iago’s words over Othello. But these events begun long time before this scene: At the start of the play we are introduced to Iago, Othello’s ensign and advisor, Roderigo, Iago’s friend that’s in love with Desdemona. The audience learn the fact that Roderigo is paying Iago to get Desdemona away from Othello.

From the first conversation, it becomes clear that Iago is evil, cruel and selfish. He talks of the fact that Othello made Cassio lieutenant instead of him and how much he hates and wants to bring down Othello. Iago’s evil plan begun when he told Brabantio that Othello has secretly married and ran away with Desdemona, Brabantio’s daughter. This caused for Othello to be taken to court and accused of using witchcraft on Desdemona. During this event Othello stays cool and calm while Iago was hoping for him to get angry and in more trouble.

At the end of the act, Othello is sent to defend Cyprus from the Turkish attack. In act two, Othello, Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo and Cassio arrive in Cyprus. As Iago continues his plan against Othello, it becomes clear that it’s not just Othello that will get hurt at the end. Iago decides to use Cassio in his plan by making him vulnerable; so he gets Cassio fired. With the intension of making things worse, Iago advises Cassio to meet with Desdemona and beg her to persuade Othello to consider giving him another chance. Cassio arranges to meet Desdemona in her house.

At the start of act three, Iago plans for Othello to arrive at his house just to witness Cassio leaving and makes sure that Othello does not forget the sight of cassio by sounding suspicious of Cassio’s appearance and suggesting that there is something going on between Desdemona and Cassio. Even though Othello doesn’t accept any of this, he keeps the thought in his mind. The audience are now aware of Iago’s plan and Othello’s jealous mind and all they await is to see how far this would drive Othello and how it will affect the outcome of the play.

At the end of the scene Othello loses control when he finds himself having to decide between his love for Desdemona and his trust of Iago’s word. This shows Othello’s weakness and foolishness to the audience. Shakespeare’s intension is to prove that not everyone would fall for Iago’s plan and that Othello was made vulnerable through out his life and was open to attack from Iago. Through out the play, the audience witness the rapid change of character in Othello and unlike Othello himself, they realise that Iago is responsible for most of it.

Iago was the person that didn’t seem very dangerous at the start of the play but as the events following up to act three, scene three took place, he showed his true colours by initiating his evil plan to destroy Othello, Desdemona and Cassio’s life. Iago’s hate for Othello started because of his despite for black people, his jealousy of Othello’s fame and finally because of the fact that Cassio was made lieutenant instead of him. Iago felt betrayed and destroyed and decided to make life hell for Othello by acting as his friend but working secretly as his enemy.

As time passed, things changed in his favour and all he had to do was to give them a push in the wrong direction and enjoyed the show as Othello’s wonderful life went to ruins. It is very important to understand the tricks and skills used by Iago during the time which he brainwashed Othello. At first he tried to throw hints and ideas but Othello ignored them for some time. ‘ Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it that he would sneak away so guilty like, seeing you coming’ 3:3(38-40). He continued his manipulation by telling false facts and proving his points using any possible situation.

But he still held back made his words sound like suggestions while Othello is taking in every word without being aware. ‘I speak not yet of proof, Look to your wife; observe her well with cassio’ 3:3(194-195) Finally, he took his case to the extreme when he realised that Othello would not give in without proof. Iago told Othello about a made up event in which he witnessed Cassio having an erotic dream about Desdemona. Othello immediately believed this, which proved just how little he trusted his wife and how much he trusted Iago. ”In sleep I heard him say: ‘ sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our love” 3:3(416-417)

Iago talked to Othello about false acts done by cassio and other wrong men but most of the time the actions he spoke of are the same things he did and continued to do; while Iago and the audience were completely aware of that, Othello had no clue, making this an example of dramatic irony. ‘ O beware, my lord, of jealousy! The green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on’ 3:3(164-165). Othello was introduced as a brave, understanding man, famous in the army, loved by his wife and respected by the court. After all the work done by Iago, Othello completely changed and did things he could not imagine before.

By the end of act three, scene three Othello had gone past denial and just needed enough time and proof to be completely convinced and to make a tragic decision. In act one, Iago and Roderigo’s description of Othello made him look like an evil man who kidnapped a girl and betrayed a friend; when Othello first made an appearance, everything changed due to the contrast between his good personality and the fake description. The audience thought of Othello as the good characters that wont change under any condition; it is clear that when Othello resorted so low to think false of his wife, he would be a disappointment to the audience.

Iago’s words and speeches had the worst effect on Othello and Shakespeare shows this through the weird and wild actions from Othello towards Desdemona and cassio, which eventually led to murder. Shakespeare demonstrated Othello’s confusion and disturbed mind as he fought a battle in his head between suspicion and reality. Then there was the loss of control, which managed to bring down Othello and let him be consumed by jealousy created by no other than another man. At this point Othello acts and talks just like Iago with a mind of blood, hatred and vengeance; he starts to use animal imagery to describe woman and specially Desdemona.

Was this fair paper, this most goodly book, made to write ‘whore’ upon? What committed! ‘ 4:2(70-71) The audience didn’t feel sorry for Othello anymore. He fell into a deep hole and cannot be rescued. They knew that there would be tragedy at the end of all this and they could guess it will be mostly Othello’s doing, because Iago did his part already; Othello would roll down the hill by himself and hitting rock bottom is inevitable. A lot of tragic events take place in ‘Othello’ that cannot be blamed completely on one person.

On one side of the argument, there is Iago a racist, sexist and cruel man who is driven to the very edge by hate for others and selfishness. He manages to use everyone in order to complete his plan of ruining the lives of others. On the other side there is Othello the tough, likable and kind man who proved weak when put in the situation of choosing between false suspicion and his love and trust for his wife. He tried to fight the control of jealousy over him but due to the doubts he kept in his heart, it was no use; so he lost control of his mind, which drove him to his death.

It is real hard to figure out whom Shakespeare wanted to blame for the tragedy as both characters played a big part in it. It’s true that Iago started the whole issue and made it known by any means necessary but it was the Othello, the man meant to be better, that gave in to some words. Shakespeare wanted to make it clear that even though Othello made all the bad decisions but he didn’t always have complete control over his conscience because of his past. It was made clear that at the time black people were not treated right by all.

He lived most of his life as a slave and he was mocked and beat down by all kinds of people and it is obvious he lost self-confidence and trust but the fact that he made it from nothing to a famous and respected general is incredible. In some way it can be said that they were both to blame for the bad events. But then again Othello is the main character and the audience believed in him from the very start and he managed to ruin things for the one he most cared for. It is very important to keep in mind the effect that the racist society of the time had on him.

and have not those soft parts of conversation that chamberers have; or for I am declined into the vale of years. ‘ 3:3(260-264). In a deeper look at the scene there are many small details that helps a lot more into the understanding of the decisions made by the characters. In contrast to the previous two scenes, this scene is lengthy. Here we watch as Othello’s mind is poisoned. Desdemona and Emilia offer cassio their assurance that Othello will soon restore him to favour. Desdemona insists that she will talk her husband ‘out of patience’ (line 23) until he agrees to reassign cassio.

As they talk, Othello enters with Iago. Uneasy and ashamed, cassio leaves when Desdemona offers to plead for him until she is heard. Iago immediately sets to work, observing briefly that he does not like the manner of Cassio’s leave-taking. Iago continues to suggest that he suspects him of false behaviour with Desdemona. He urges his master not to be jealous without telling him directly why he should be jealous. Othello insists that he is not given to jealousy, but his mind has clearly been moving in the very direction Iago intended because he then speaks of his wife’s attributes and talents.

He also brings up the subject of rivalry when he says ‘ she had eyes and chose me’ (line 192). Iago knows he has ensnared his victim. He then offers Othello specific advice; watch Desdemona with cassio, remember that Venetian women are deceitful. Iago continues to twist the knife by pointing out things that he knows Othello would think about. Finally it becomes clear that the doubt is created in Othello’s mind and heart when he says ‘ why did I marry? ‘ (Line 245). Iago is merciless so he returns to offer more wicked advise until Othello is completely under his control.

After this long and important conversation, Othello and Desdemona go to dinner. Emilia comes back to find Desdemona’s handkerchief that she dropped earlier; unaware of the importance of the handkerchief to both Othello and Iago, Emilia steals the handkerchief and hands it to Iago. Here we discovers that the handkerchief is a big part of Iago’s plan; the handkerchief will be left at Cassio’s lodgings to serve as proof of his secret affair with Desdemona. When Othello returns, he is absorbed with thoughts of his wife’s treachery.

He now seems absolutely convinced that desdemona is guilty of deceiving him and is tormented by the lack of evidence. He also regrets finding out about any of this; he says he was happier when he was ignorant of ‘her stolen hours of lust’. Iago feeds othello’s jealousy by telling him that it will be hard to get evidence and then he continues to give a description of an event in which he shared a bed with cassio and witnessed him having an erotic dream about desdemona in which he tells her to kiss and such.

This drives Othello angry and he turns to violence and revenge but not as much Iago would’ve wanted. Iago then moves to his serious back up plan; he tells the general about the handkerchief that’s been seen with cassio rubbing his beard with it. Othello is now utterly consumed by ‘bloody thoughts’ (line 460). They both kneel and vow to help each other and correct what’s wronged. Othello asks Iago to kill cassio. Iago then receives the promotion he has been looking for; he is made lieutenant when he agrees to murder his ‘friend’ (line 476).

Othello always needs someone to completely trust and believe, so it can be said that Iago’s devotion has replaced the harmony Othello received from marriage with Desdemona. This scene ends, as a new phase filled with hate, blood and vengeance, is about to start. In terms of characters, Iago is most to blame for the events in this scene that build up the road to tragedy for Othello. Following scene three, a short but funny moment takes place in which desdemona and a clown have a conversation. This to stop the tension built up in the previous conversation between Othello and Iago.

This lighter start makes the audience forget about the tense events of the last scene and to get them to look forward to the outcome of the play. We see Othello very confused and angry with Desdemona regarding the missing handkerchief. Desdemona realises that her husband is acting like a different man as he shouts and accuses her of false actions. The audience can identify that the tense events of the last scene have definitely changed Othello for the worse. It is understandable that some people would feel sympathy for Othello even though he is being weak and stupid in believing Iago and loosing faith in his wife.

But the sympathy can be described in different ways, some might feel sorry for him because they believe him to be a victim of racism and an evil, psychopath like Iago while others believe that Othello is partly to blame for the events of the play but still a victim. But no matter what kind of sympathy they have for him, they all know he was a victim to some extent because even though he denies it, he misunderstands women and doesn’t give Desdemona a chance to explain herself. He believes that he is allowed to judge people and decide their fate.

Through out his problems, he loses his pride and resorts to hiding and eavesdropping which results in even more jealousy that eventually leaves him shattered and vulnerable, in other words, a victim. Shakespeare’s intensions are to put the audience in a situation where they can choose what they want to think of Othello. But he still wants them to feel the same thing about the plot when the play is over; Othello is responsible for a monstrous murder and then destroys himself in an act of self-slaughter.

However the final response from the audience will be great sadness because of the moor’s death and relieved and glad that his tormentor will be definitely tortured. Othello was a noble, compassionate and courageous black man that against all odds, served in a white man’s society. He tried to be more than a soldier by loving his wife more than anything else in his life. Throught out his youth, he was tortured and broken down and just when he thought that he had found everything he’s ever wanted, Iago turned up in his life. Iago tortured him, just by using the precise words at the right place and at the right time.

The audience were constantly aware that he was directly under his ensigns’ poisonous influence and was being pulled in many directions. The audience felt that his desire to revenge himself on cassio and Desdemona was the terrible result of Othello’s attempt to combine his roles as soldier and lover. When he feared that his wife had betrayed him, he said woefully, ‘ Othello’s occupation’s gone! ‘ (3:3. 360); it is almost as if Desdemona was the prize he earned for his military victories; she had perhaps replaced his career as the source of his pride and honour; no wonder he felt her loss so keenly.

In the final scene, before he killed himself, Othello reminded us of his previous services to the society and the man he was. Shakespeare wishes for us to know that Othello was a worthy man before he was ensnared by Iago. Othello heroically takes his own life as his punishment for killing his honest and loyal wife. In his final act and speech, he realised who he was and allowed the soldier inside him to kill the lover. But some might say that it was all too late for him, for Desdemona and for their beautiful life and marriage.

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Coursework on ‘Othello’

A tragic event is a disastrous and dreadful event. A tragedy is usually when someone is killed. A hero is usually a man who is courageous and displays noble qualities; he is perceived by people to be very muscular and strong. So a tragic hero is a person who is an exceptional person, but has a fatal flaw. This is normally exposed and then twisted by the villain. To the audience he is amazing, and so when he is killed it is a tragedy for the audience as the world has lost such an outstanding person, the hero then can no longer contribute to society. In this play the tragic hero is Othello.

He is a tragic hero as he as achieved a lot. He is an outsider, and also is not very young; in addition he is not white, but black. Even though he is all of this he still becomes a general and attracts a very beautiful seventeen year old girl. But he has a flaw; this is his jealousy. This flaw is twisted and exploited by the villain of the play, Iago. As the play goes on we see how jealousy corrupts the mind of Othello, resulting in his death. In this play there are many different themes shaped and formed. These are jealousy, men and women and race and colour.

The main theme represented in this play, is jealousy. There are three main types of jealousy in this play they are professional, sexual and racial. Professional jealousy is portrayed by Iago in this play as he is jealous of Michael Cassio. This is because he was promoted to lieutenant by Othello and Iago was not. Iago calls Michael Cassio a ‘great arithmetician’ he shows that he is jealous of Cassio as he is doing better than him even though he is also a outsider. He may have become Othello’s lieutenant as he, like Othello, is an outsider.

When Iago says ‘A fellow almost damned in a fair wife’ he is showing that he is sexually jealous of Cassio as he is more sexually attractive than him and many women like him. This makes Iago feel more hate and jealousy for Cassio. When Iago is talking to Brabantio he says ‘An old black ram is tupping your white ewe’ this is showing that Iago is racially jealous of Othello. Therefore this shows that Iago is jealous that Othello has married a beautiful and noble, young girl. All of these various types of jealousy felt by Iago in the play lead to terrible tragedies.

The opening scene creates a build up of atmosphere with political and social aspects. The scene begins at night in Venice. Venice was infamous for political intrigue. There were many Machiavellian characters around. It was known to be an amoral place, where the people could not be trusted as they where cunning and sly. The scene is set at night where dark and underhand deeds are covered up, and not seen by the light of day. It begins with two characters, Roderigo and Iago, disputing. Roderigo is fervent to possess Desdemona, with the help of Iago.

They talk about another character who has been appointed by the council, general of the Venetian army. We learn that he is a Moor and an outsider. Also we find out that one Michael Cassio is the lieutenant, a position which Iago craves. Othello in this scene is not referred to by name, and we soon learn that he is hated by Roderigo and Iago. All of this talk about Othello makes the audience anxious to find out about him and meet this quite exceptional person. This causes a mood and atmosphere of curiosity and dramatic tension. In the first scene of ‘Othello’ Iago is introduced.

This scene is very important as it lays the foundations for the tragedies which develop later in the play. As he is introduced he has a big impact on the audience. He is portrayed in the first scene to be a person who is in control of what he does, and someone who has control over others, and seems to be someone who is ambitious. Iago is brought into the first scene talking to Roderigo. Roderigo begins the dialogue with Iago. In his few opening lines he says ‘Iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.

This shows that Roderigo does not trust Iago about him being able to procure Desdemona, from Othello for him. Also this shows the audience that Iago’s services can be bought with money, revealing that he is mercenary. Furthermore the name Iago sounds Spanish, so to the Stuart audience this would show instantly that he was a malevolent character, as at this time to England the Spanish people were enemies. Following Roderigo’s few words, Iago replies with a blasphemous ‘sblood’ meaning God’s blood. This shows his derision for Christ and for Christian values.

This single word would have shocked and surprised the Stuart audience, who were religious. Iago asserts his hate towards the ‘Moor’ Othello. He says in great detail about Othello ‘off-capped to him; I am worth no worse a place. But he, as loving his own pride and purposes, evades them with a bombast circumstance, horribly stuffed with epithets of war. ‘ Here he is telling Roderigo how he despises Othello for not letting him become a lieutenant, instead passing him over for ‘one Michael Cassio, a Florentine. Iago then calls Cassio ‘a great arithmetician’ this is Iago being sarcastic; he is implying that Michael Cassio has no experience or idea of war. Iago speaks on talking about Michael Cassio by insulting where he is from, saying that he is a ‘Florentine’.

He is saying that Cassio the Florentine knows nothing of war. This displays Iago of being racially prejudiced to foreigners and outsiders. This is the same for Othello; there may be a reason to why Cassio was chosen over Iago as Cassio and Othello are both outsiders. Iago comments on Cassio, of being ‘a fellow almost damned in a fair wife. This reveals that he may be sexually jealous of Cassio, as many women are attracted to him. Iago continues on, to again insult Cassio even more saying ‘that never set a squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows more than a spinster, unless the bookish theoric. ‘ This shows that he may be upset about being passed over for promotion, and his abhorrence for Cassio. I believe from what I have seen from what Iago says about Cassio, he may feel intellectually inferior to Cassio as he says ‘as masterly as he is’ screening that Iago may feel he has been challenged by someone better and more academic than him.

This is the audience’s first sign of professional jealousy. Iago then finally ends this speech with a sardonic phrase of ‘his moorship’ this is a derogatory connotation, which is a play on the phrase ‘his worship. ‘ Iago proves to Roderigo just how much he hates Othello, by insulting him and by slandering Cassio. With all of this hatred Iago has he causes the demotion of Cassio, the murder of Desdemona, the suicide of Othello and the downfall of himself. Our visions of Othello are all shaped by what Iago says in his dialogue with Roderigo. The audience may become doubtful of what Iago says as his views are amoral.

There are important lines from this long speech revealing Iago’s real character. But the main theme of this speech is how he hates Othello, and his lack of true loyalty and integrity. Moreover he tells Roderigo his plan and how it will affect him; Roderigo follows Iago foolishly not seeing that he is being used because of his desire to possess Desdemona. This speech also shows how Iago is able to ingeniously manipulate people. He begins to say ‘I follow him to serve my turn upon him’ this is basically showing how is only serving Othello to help himself and using it for his advantage.

This shows that Iago is ambitious as he knows what he wants, and does anything to get it. Also he is disloyal and self-serving as he is just getting what he wants out of his actions, and is betraying his so called friend Othello. In addition he is cunning and sly getting exactly what he wants, by deceiving people. He says an important line which is ‘heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty’ this shows that Iago is not interested in love and does not really care about it. He has no concept of love. This leads to the later point of his attitude towards women in general.

He also says the blasphemous phrase of ‘I am not what I am’ this shows that he is going against God’s words of ‘I am what I am. ‘ This shows that he once again is disrespectful of Christian values and of Christ. But this line could also be showing that Iago may have a layer to his character, which is unseen by other people. We can see that what Roderigo says is an echo of how Iago speaks, especially about Othello. We witness Roderigo say a racist comment about Othello, ‘the thick-lips owe. ‘ This is a phrase which is mirrored from the way Iago addresses Othello.

Iago is manipulating people to become like him, evil. Iago feels he needs to instigate his plan and tells Roderigo to ‘rouse Brabantio, make after him, poison his delight, proclaim him in the streets. ‘ This shows that Iago delights in causing trouble and enjoys stage managing chaos. Roderigo is polite and kind in talking to the senator, getting them nowhere so it is Iago’s crude and disgusting descriptions of ‘an old black ram, is tupping your white ewe’ which make Brabantio irate. The animal imagery here is representing the sexual connection between Desdemona the noble women with the ‘Moor’ general Othello.

This sexual reference is then linked with the suggestion of Cassio being ‘a fellow almost damned in a fair wife,’ and with his job to help match up Roderigo and Desdemona. This shows that Iago thinks of women to be objects, and disregards love. He is unable to understand love, or the relationships between men and women. We can see from this scene that Iago is able to control and manipulate people to his own advantage. From this scene altogether we see that Iago is a cynical malcontent. He is malicious in his acts and crude with his language, he is able to manipulate people for his own needs, and exaggerates situations to his own advantage.

We see how he despises men who wear their hearts on their sleeves, and who don’t look out for their own interests. He likes people, who are self-serving, and people who do evil deeds for money, people who are untrustworthy and who pretend to be honest. His speeches in these scenes are energetic and shocking to many audiences, they are full of egotistical disgust. Furthermore Iago has an underhand way of being absent when actions which he has instigated come to head. Iago is a compelling and sophisticated villain. In this play there are two main scenes where Iago puts his Machiavellian plans in to operation.

Iago’s plans are malicious; he puts his plans into action in act 2 scene 3, and in act 3 scene 3. In act 2 scene 3 all of Iago’s tactics and ideas become reality. Upon arrival in Cyprus Iago persuades Cassio to have a drink by saying ‘come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine. ‘ Cassio keeps on refusing Iago’s offers, as he has ‘very poor and unhappy brains for drinking. ‘ But Cassio is not able to resist it, and takes some wine, causing him to become ‘full of quarrel and offence. ‘ Iago perceives this as his chance to instigate his plan. Continuing to manipulate Roderigo effortlessly, he makes him start off a quarrel and a brawl with Cassio.

Cassio gets wound up by Roderigo, as Roderigo gives witty remarks like ‘beat me? ‘ These comments from Roderigo and the fact that he is drunk cause Cassio to get aggravated, and therefore fight. Othello gets alerted by the brawl, and finds Montano and Cassio fighting. Montano is hurt, ‘zounds I bleed still. ‘ Othello asks ‘honest Iago’ to find out what happened. This is dramatic irony as Othello thinks that Iago is an honest person, whereas the audience knows that he is not, that he is crude and evil. This puts the audience in the position of knowing more than the characters, increasing tension.

Othello dismisses Cassio from his position, and he is demoted, just as Iago wanted. As Cassio is dismissed, Iago gets the chance to take his place, and get access to Othello so he can poison and corrupt his mind with his words. Iago speaks and acts in this scene as if he always has someone else’s interests at heart. He enjoys presenting himself in the best possible light. In this scene as Othello is being informed on the brawl by Iago, Iago acts as if he wants to help Cassio, he says to Othello ‘I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offence to Michael Cassio. This is all part of Iago’s plan to make himself look trustworthy and loyal, towards Othello. He here seems to be reluctant to accuse Cassio.

This is not only to make Iago look loyal, but also to make Othello see how disgracefully his lieutenant has acted. Othello likes to here the direct truth, even though he appreciates the false ‘protection’ of Cassio, given by Iago. We see Iago’s ingenious and spiteful ideas when he decides to use Desdemona, who is innocent, and who he has no quarrel with, to ‘enmesh them all. ‘ We see how pleased he is in his speech, that he has the intelligence and power to turn Desdemona’s ‘virtue into pitch. As before we see how Iago dislikes honesty and innocence. Even Iago’s wife Emilia, is fooled in thinking that Iago wants to help Michael Cassio. Iago’s only loyalty is to himself. Iago’s imagery is crude, he will convince Othello that all the meetings that Iago and Desdemona are having, is an affair. He is planting the seeds of jealousy into Othello’s mind. He tries to convince him that his wife wants Cassio, and that she will ‘undo her credit with the Moor. ‘ In this scene Iago disrupts Othello’s wedding night, and Iago turns Othello against the people he trusted and loved.

Act 3 scene 3 is the pivotal scene where Iago puts his Machiavellian plans into operation. Iago wants Othello to perceive that Cassio is having an affair with Cassio. Iago in this scene once again is pretending to be friends with Cassio. Iago knows exactly how Othello operates, and so he knows how to get inside his head. Iago tries to avoid answering Othello’s questions directly. He does this as he knows this builds up suspicion in Othello’s mind. He also often imitates Othello’s questions as he Othello says ‘is he honest. ‘

Subsequently Iago avoids the question and says ‘honest my lord! This is another technique that Iago uses to raise suspicion from ‘Othello. Iago when talking to Desdemona repeatedly reminds him how she had deceitfully behaved, and the painful reminder that he is an outsider. Iago tells Othello that she could have made other ‘natural’ choices. Iago keeps angering Othello by manipulating and poisoning his mind. Iago tells Othello ‘look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; where your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure. ‘ He essentially tells Othello to see his wife neutrally, and not to get angry when looking upon her with Cassio.

Another way that Iago tries to persuade Othello is by saying ‘she did deceive her father, and when she seem’d to shake and fear your looks. ‘ Iago here tries to show Othello that she is not loyal and noble, as she already deceived her father by marrying him, because of what she wanted. So Iago is questioning Othello, on what is stopping her from doing it again. Iago pretends to care about Othello as he says ‘trust me I fear it has. I hope you will consider what is spoke comes from my love. ‘ He is telling Othello that he has his best interests at heart.

After Iago knows that the poison he gave to Othello through words has held, and once Othello has become vengeful, he knows he must take the role of being a noble and loyal friend. There is irony here as Othello is seeking to kill Cassio; he is carrying out Iago’s revenge for him. WE find out from this scene that Othello is weak and insecure, as the emotion of love that he has for Desdemona loses against Iago’s crude language. Othello left alone he wonders ‘Why did I marry? ‘ This shows that he already knows that his wife is false.

He begins to speak of ‘the curse of marriage. ‘ Although he resists Iago’s version of Desdemona, it is the fake story of Cassio having a dream about her which breaks him. He returns angry much more angry with his words, but still does not know what to believe ‘I think my wife be honest, and think she is not. ‘ But we see from the crude images conjuring in his mind, and the violence of his speech that Iago is winning. He speaks violently of ‘poison, or fire, or suffocating streams. ‘ He curses ‘death and damnation’ and says ferociously ‘I’ll tear her all to pieces. We see here that Iago has fully corrupted his mind, and Othello like Roderigo is beginning to talk with crude and malicious language, just like Iago. Iago’s plans in act 3 scene 3 are successful, as he is able to demote Cassio from his position. Iago is able to successfully play a number of roles, and is able to adapt his tone and style to suit any occasion. In this scene Iago acts apparently loyal, and as if he has everybody else’s interests at heart. He presents himself as a noble friend to Cassio, and in the best possible light. From discrediting Cassio, Iago is able to get close to Othello.

This then means that he is able to corrupt and poison Othello’s mind, with his crude words. The demotion weakens Othello’s position, and gives Iago a great advantage to put his wicked plan into operation. As Iago gains access to Othello’s mind from Cassio, he is able to use his skills in manipulation, to make Othello see things that are not actually happening. He makes Othello perceive that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona, and that she is being unfaithful towards him. Also he makes Othello demote Cassio because of a brawl, which Roderigo initiated.

These events, which are stage managed by Iago all lead to the tragic denouement, Othello and Desdemona’s deaths. The way he acts in this scene is similar to the way he acts in act 1 scene, as he pretends to have Roderigo’s interests at heart in act 1 scene 1, and in act 2 scene 3 he acts as if he has Cassio’s interests at heart. In both scenes he appears to be loyal to his friends, when he is actually fooling everyone and is only loyal to himself. Also in both of these scenes he is always manipulating people, just to see the downfall of Othello.

Part of Iago’s success in act 2 scene 3 lies in the fact that he tells all of his victims exactly what they want to hear, or he uses arguments which would make his victims think like him, in a crude malicious manner. Act 3 scene 3 is the pivotal point in the play because Othello is convinced of his wife’s corruption; Othello makes a sacred oath never to change his mind about her or to soften his feelings towards her until he acts out a violent revenge. At this point, Othello is fixed in his course, and the disastrous ending of the play is unavoidable.

Othello swears to Iago that he will kill Desdemona and Cassio. Just as the play replaces the security of peace with the anxiety of domestic strife, Othello replaces the security of his marriage with the hateful paranoia of an alliance with Iago. Iago is the one who causes Othello’s downfall, as he sows the seeds of suspicion in his mind. Iago’s methods in this scene are more subtle. He pretends to be reluctant to speak. Desdemona keeps irritating Othello, by asking when he will reinstate Cassio. This angers Othello as; he is already suspicious of Cassio having an affair with Desdemona.

Iago persistently acts as if he is protecting Cassio. Othello becomes more and more suspicious from what Iago tells him, and Iago uses ‘key’ words which get to Othello, for example ‘think’ and ‘honest. ‘ We can see how Iago falsely protects Cassio as he says, ‘I think Cassio’s an honest man. ‘ Iago is protecting Cassio and not telling Othello the direct truth. This causes Othello to feel more suspicious of Cassio. Iago tells Othello about how Cassio and Desdemona have secretly been meeting, and so when Othello perceives it himself he becomes infuriated.

Othello gives the secret of his downfall to Iago. This is Othello’s flaw. Othello says ‘when I love thee not, chaos is come again. ‘ The significance is that if Othello stops loving Desdemona he will disintegrate, and crumble to pieces. Iago now has something to act on, and can exploit this feeling, to ‘poison’ and destroy Othello. Iago’s final words in this scene chillingly mock the language of love and marriage: ‘I am your own forever. ‘ Iago is a malicious, malevolent and crude person. He is able to manipulate, and twist people’s feelings to his own advantage.

He is brilliant at stage managing events, and is capable of hoodwinking others to believe he is honest. When Iago speaks in his soliloquies he is boastful and dismissive. Iago is a very untrustworthy character, as we have seen from how he has fooled everyone to trust him. Iago is a complex character, only himself and the audience knows what he is really like. In this play we see how Iago is able to put his skills of manipulation into act. Many believe he may have a homosexual side and tries to replace Desdemona, but this is only some views as his relationship with Othello is very complicated.

Iago is highly intellectual socially. In this play he is the bringer off death and pain upon many characters, he is like the grim reaper. Iago is partly responsible for bringing death to Othello, but it is not all his fault. It is true that he used his skills to manipulate people, and his ability to ‘poison’ and corrupt people’s minds to bring Othello’s downfall, but it is also the faults of the people he manipulated, for being weak minded. Roderigo, who was firstly manipulated, followed Iago as his drive and passion to possess Desdemona got in the way.

Cassio’s flaw was that he only became manipulated as he believed Iago was his , and that he was there to help him, he was also too trusting. Desdemona also had a fatal flaw, which was that she could be deceitful; also she loved and trusted Othello to a great extent. Finally Iago’s greatest achievement was convincing and manipulating Othello. Othello has the most significant fatal flaw; he had a high amount of jealousy. Iago was able to exploit all of these weaknesses. But the biggest was Othello’s which all lead to the catastrophic deaths of Othello and his Desdemona.

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Social Context of Othello

In Othello many issues are undertaken. According to the time that the play was written, men hold all the power and women are considered to be of low intellect. Throughout the play Desdemona is a symbol of innocence and helplessness. At first she appears to be mature and quite perceptive of events around her. Iago often tells Othello that she is unfaithful. It seems that she refuses to accept what is happening and her views are impartial.

She has a tendency to be sympathetic towards other people’s situations, like Cassio. This is what triggers Othello’s jealousy when Iago pointed out they were speaking in privacy. She often pays attention to other peoples thoughts yet remains cynical if they differ to her own. She has a loyalty to her husband in all aspects of life, whether it is mental or physical.

Othello shows us how a woman’s character, reputation and power can be manipulated and distorted by men. The relationship between Desdemona and Othello is very peculiar, and would have been considered even more so at the time at which Shakespeare was writing, it therefore stands out in the play, not least because it is a mixed-race marriage but also because at the start of the play they appear to be on an equal standing, they have a mutual “respect” for one another.

We are presented with a very powerful image of women at the start of the play; Desdemona has disobeyed her father and taken her chosen husband, although Desdemona does acknowledge that Othello is her “Lord” and that it is her “duty” to obey him. However, in that state, Desdemona does act as a dramatic device, bringing Othello into a domestic situation where he is inexperienced. This causes his obsession with Desdemona to grow because she has become his whole world; Iago finds it easy to manipulate this situation because Othello is unfamiliar to life only in the domestic side.

Although Desdemona was rational in trusting, her trust was often misplaced, for example Iago. As well as this regardless of her intellect of what goes on around her in some cases, this was not enough to rise up in society, as women had no opinion in the time of the play. Although Shakespeare undertook many modern day ideas, he did not do this for a modern day society, as it would not have allowed so many events to occur, and it would not have been considered realistic by the public.

When Othello talks of wooing Desdemona he is portrayed as an eloquent storyteller and lover: “She gave me for my pain a world of sighs. ” It is through her relationship with Othello that his failure is shown not only by her spoilt opinion of him, he was previously an ideal to her, but by the end of the play she has realised that “men are not gods”, but also by Othello’s swift dismissal of her as a “fair devil” and a “lewd minx” after his view of her where he would “deny her nothing” has been destroyed by Iago.

The downfall of Othello is marked by the destruction of their once close and trusting relationship, which Iago has convinced Othello that it is a “foul disproportion. ” Desdemona’s physical and vocal absence from the opening scenes speaks about women’s place in the Venetian society. It is through Desdemona’s absence that we are able to conjure up our own mental image of her based on what we have heard.

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Othello coursework

Throughout the course of the play “Othello”, Iago is portrayed as the typical sinister villain with no motives for his evil plans, but he also brings many comical aspects to the production. Many audiences would have disliked Iago because of the fact that he is the stereotypical villain, yet we are compelled to watch in suspense, his next move. He is definitely a very complex character to understand. He appears to lack motivation for his evil plans and bases his reasoning on ideas he has conjured up in his head, such as the idea of his loving wife Emilia having an affair with Othello.

Jacobean audiences in particular would have been shocked by Iago’s behaviour for the fact that he uses a lot of blasphemous language such as “S’blood”. This would have been frowned upon in Jacobean society due to the this religious era; whereas today, it would not be seen as such a sin to take the Lord’s name in vain. Many directors such as Sam Mendes have chosen to present their adaptation of the play as a homoerotic thriller and have portrayed Iago as the lusty servant who is in fact jealous of Desdemona, whereas other performances like Michael Grandage’s production portrayed Iago as simply a motiveless character.

In my opinion, Iago is undoubtedly one of Shakespeare’s most notorious villains; without him there would be no story line. It is him who influences the characters to carry out the terrible tasks that keep the play entertaining and full of suspense. In many productions of Othello, Iago is a Machiavellian. This term originates from a text called “The Prince” which was written in the early sixteenth century by a figure of the Italian renaissance named Niccoli?? Machiavelli.

He wrote in one of his books that “the end justifies the means” which was misunderstood by audiences who interpreted it as “any evil action can be justified if it is done for a good purpose”. Niccoli?? Machiavelli insinuated that all the rulers that had remained in power had not been kind and caring men, concerned with justice and fairness, but were infact cruel individuals, willing to do anything to ensure the security of their state and their own personal power. Iago shows the audience his Machiavellian ways in Act two Scene one when he says “Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me.

For making him egregiously an ass. ” This truly reveals his duplicitous nature and shows how much he enjoys other people’s misery. Many critics have suggested that Iago may have been a warning to King James about his untrustworthy followers, as there was a lot of uncertainty about how he was ruling England at the time. Iago also reveals a duplicitous nature in Act one, scene two, when he swears to the Greek god “Janus”; the name of a Roman mythical God with two faces which could be reflected as a two faced image.

Malicious is one of many adjectives used to describe Iago, but is it entirely accurate? Throughout most of the play, he is portrayed as an open and trustworthy person by every character; all of them refer to him as “honest Iago” Yet, as the audience are well informed by the end of the first act, he appears to be quite the opposite, as he states “I am not what I am” although ironically, he always tells the audience the truth In act one scene three, Shakespeare cleverly brings in the use of rhetoric as Iago tries to persuade Roderigo that Desdemona will soon tire of Othello.

He states that “she must change for youth; which she is sated with his body she will find the error of her choice”, and then goes on to reveal his hatred for Othello and how he wishes for Roderigo to help him seek revenge. In a speech made by Iago, he mentions Roderigo’s money eight times! He uses repetition to encourage Roderigo to make money, but the implication to the audience is that the money is for Iago and not Roderigo. Roderigo then says, “I’ll sell all my land” which tells the audience that Iago’s plan has worked.

This prepares us for later on in the play when Iago uses his powerful manipulation to bring Othello to his downfall. Although Iago is often called the villain of the play, he also brings many entertaining moments; he is the only source of humour in the play. This may be perhaps, because he has caused all the misery in the play so is enjoying watching people suffer! He expresses his misogynistic views in Act Two Scene One in a heated discussion with Desdemona. Iago begins the discussion through the means of criticizing his wife, Emilia.

He says “Sir, would she give you so much of her lips as of her tongue she oft bestows on me You would have enough” meaning Emilia often nags him. This shows that Shakespeare wished to amuse the audience too, as they would find this very entertaining possibly because they could relate to what Iago was saying, as it could be interpreted as a commonly stereotypical comment. Another scene where Iago is entertaining to the audience is in Act Two scene Three, where he pretends to be drunk in order to encourage Casio to drink more and become disorderly; in this scene Shakespeare is really playing to his audience.

When the men are drinking, Iago makes a number of comments about the English, and what heavy drinkers they are compared to other countries, “Your Dane, Your German, and your swag-bellied Hollander – drink, ho! – are nothing to your English. ” These comments would have met with a very wild reception from the crowd. This indicates to us that this play, despite its exotic settings, is very relevant to an English Jacobean audience. Also in this scene, Iago is at his best and plays a number of different parts to ensure the success of his plan.

The three roles that he plays are: The ancient concerned for the sake of his master, the soldier desperate to maintain the peace of the city and the faithful friend of Cassio. The audience by now would be fully aware that he is really none of these roles, which brings us back to the idea that he is a complete machiavellian. Throughout the play, Iago uses his powerful language techniques to amuse and persuade the characters in order to get what he wants. During this process, Iago makes a number of powerful soliloquies that reveal his motives and plans.

These soliloquies let the audience see the true personality and characteristic traits of the person speaking. Throughout, Iago is referred to as “honest Iago” or “good friend” but the audience are fully aware that these terms do not reflect Iago’s true personality because they know what he is like as he has revealed his true self in his soliloquies. This brings a lot of dramatic irony to the play; the audience are fully aware of what has happened or what is about to happen, whilst the other characters remain unaware. A great example of this in the play, is in act 5 Scene 2.

By this point, Othello had already killed Desdemona and had found out about Iago’s lies; Othello then asks Iago, “why hath thus ensnared my soul and body? ” ( meaning why have you done this to me? ) Iago replies, “demand me nothing; what you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak word” This is hugely ironic because up to this, he had used words to his power, as the tool that caused Othello’s downfall. This would be very frustrating for audiences who have been puzzled throughout the play as to what motivates Iago to cause such trouble.

In conclusion, I believe Iago’s character structures this play and creates the story line; some of the most exciting plots are centred around him – he murders his wife, arouses Brabantio, kills Roderigo and gets Othello’s army drunk; His actions definitely drive the plot forward. His soliliques not only ensure he has a very intimate relationship with the audience, but they are the only dramatic device of the play. Although there is evidence to prove Iago is not racist, he is just jealous of Othello as he talks about Othello giving Cassio the promotion instead of him.

To us, he is the character who keeps the plot alive and full of action. His character was used recently by a critic, Germaine Greer when she compared Shakespearian with current times to emphasise her point. She stated, “we no longer feel, as Shakespeare’s contemporaries did, the ubiquity of satin, but Iago is still serviceable to us, as an objective correlative of the mindless inventiveness of racist aggression. Iago is still alive and kicking and filling migrants letterboxes with excrement” So, it really is a question of, should the play have been called “Iago” instead of “Othello”?

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