Character Analysis The play Othello begins with an argument between two men, Iago and Roderigo. Othello seems like the hero or simulates to be the main character already. Removing #book# “But I do think it is their husband’s faults If wives do fall” (Act 5 Scene 1, Lines 85–86). In other words, Iago is giving the advice just because he really likes Cassio. He treats others as fools and has no time for tender emotion, yet he is a married man and presumably once loved his wife. Roderigo. William Shakespeare is known for his profound characters. Iago represents evil and cruelty for its own sake. ‘Without practise is all his soldiership’ says Iago about Cassio, because he is cross that Cassio has been chosen as Othello’s officer instead of him. Also, referring to Othello, Iago says that not all men are fit to lead and not all leaders should be followed. Be genial, sometimes jovial, always gentlemanly. What each of those geniuses chose to create is another story. Iago’s character is consumed with hatred and envy. a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his/her own destruction. This gives benefit to the villain Iago, who is also Emilia’s husband. He even acts as an advocate for Othello’s , telling the audience that he is noble: “The Moor–howbe’t that I endure him not–Is of a constant, loving noble nature, and I dare think that he’ll prove to Desdemona a most dear husband” (Act 2 scene 1, Lines 287–290). Iago treats his wife Emilia in a very derogatory way: “It is a common thing…To have a foolish wife” (Act 3 Scene 3, Lines 306–308). ", The great nineteenth-century actor Booth wrote about playing Iago: "To portray Iago properly you must seem to be what all the characters think, and say, you are, not what the spectators know you to be; try to win even them by your sincerity. Language and character; Language and structure; Othello: Characterisation. In addition, Cassio says of Roderigo, "even but now he spake, / After long seeming dead, Iago hurt him, / Iago set him on" (5.2.327-329). And he hasn't spoken. Trusting of Iago, he nonetheless questions Iago repetitively on his loyalty to him in Act I, and later on what has happened to gifts given to him to pass on to Desdemona in Act V. ... and unwittingly reveals the source … Jafar gasped at his defiance, but found nothing to say in defense. Most other Shakespearean characters do bad things in order to achieve a particular goal. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, 3 Prominent Themes Found in William Shakespeare's 'Othello', Character Analysis of Shakespeare's Othello, M.A., Theater Studies, Warwick University, B.A., Drama and English, DeMontfort University. Iago is one of Shakespeare's most complex villains. As Iago craftily fools Othello and Roderigo, the readers know that what Iago is saying is not completely true. But it is also reminiscent of a quotation from the Bible which Shakespeare would have known: In Exodus, God gives his laws to Moses on Mt. The audience believes that he will be punished, but it's left open for the audience to wonder whether he will get away with his evil plans by concocting another deception or violent act. In Iago, Shakespeare shows us a character who acts against his reputation. ... Another method used by Iago is the suggestion of an event, or feeling, and then the denial. ... (1.1.67-68). He feels justified in his actions and does not invite sympathy or understanding as a result. … Duke of Venice: ... pays Iago to keep him informed of Desdemona's activities since he hopes to one day marry her. Iago is enlisting Roderig… CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. Iago didn’t wait for a reply. This transformation … ... for it was one thing to befriend a ‘moor’ and another to marry them.Although in Act One Othello demonstrates he is not as Iago, Roderigo and Brabantio describe him, would the … character flaws in othello essaysThe play of Othello is like you are pushing a huge boulder up a steep mountain, and then it finally reaches the top, and it goes down the other side, and nothing can stop it. He uses Roderigo to perform his dirty work, and without him would have been unable to discredit Cassio in the first place. We learn that Othello is black and that he is an important officer. Iago does what he needs to do to accomplish his goals. Unfortunately, Iago takes advantage of Desdemona’s good … Iago is unrepentant in his communication with the audience. Over the course of the play, both are lured into the complex love plot engineered by Iago, one of Shakespeare's best-written villains. William Hazlitt wrote: "Iago is an extreme instance . Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Othello Characters guide studies each character's role and motivation in this play. ... but very cleverly he knows that once an idea has been put into Othello's head, that no matter what Iago says, … His fate is left in Cassio’s hands. Shakespeare has built the character of Iago from an idea already existing in the theatrical culture of his time: the Devil in religious morality plays, which developed into the villain in Elizabethan drama and tragedy. He claims a reputation for honesty and plain speaking, yet he invents elaborate lies in order to exploit and manipulate other people. ... white is black and generally the characters and themes have contradictory aspects. Unlike the other ​characters, whose personalities are transformed by the action–most notably Othello, who goes from being a strong soldier to an insecure, jealous murderer–the unrepentant and cruel Iago is unchanged. Cassio’s thoughts, feelings, and motivations are rarely revealed, but his character and behavior are significant for creating the conditions under which Iago can enact his plan. Iago is surrounded with bitter irony: he is not as he seems, his good is bad for others, people repeatedly rely on him, and he betrays them. . Not after all I’ve done to them, all that I continue to do. Alternatively he might be a man who used to be honest in the past, but has decided to abandon this virtue. Othello and others in the play constantly refer to him as "honest Iago." To make Othello believe that Desdemona has been unfaithful, Iago plans to use her and talks her into giving him Desdemona’s handkerchief so that he may plant it in Cassio’s quarters. Iago is unpunished at the end of the play. He's hired Iago to be his wingman, but Iago basically uses him as a walking ATM.. Iago takes the jewelry Roderigo thinks he's giving to Desdemona and sells it for a profit. From this time forth I will never speak a word” (Act 5 Scene 2, Lines 309–310). and any corresponding bookmarks? Iago represents evil and cruelty for its own sake. This could be due to his belief that she has had an affair, but his character is so consistently unpleasant that the audience does not assign his malignancy to her behavior. Texts He is quite or nearly indifferent to his own fate as to that of others; he runs all risks for a trifling and doubtful advantage, and is himself the dupe and victim of ruling passion — an insatiable craving after action of the most difficult and dangerous kind. But for all this, as his plot against Othello starts moving and gathering momentum, he loses control of it and must take real risks to prevent it from crashing. when everyone knows something that the main character does not-Iago plans to convince Othello that he is not keeping track of his wife and that another character is too familiar with her.-there is no one else in the room at this time so only the audience and him know about his plan (dramatic irony) -we know that desdemona is innocent but Othello does not, when he is planning on killing her -Desdemona’s … Two of the key characters are Cassio, Othello's loyal captain, and Roderigo, a man who is love with Othello's wife, Desdemona. An audience may even collude in Emilia’s belief that even if she did cheat, Iago deserved it. But he, sir, had th' election ... (1.1.20-27) Another motive, and possibly a stronger motive … from your Reading List will also remove any Iago is the opposite of God, that is, he is the Devil. He has the ability to charm and convince people of his loyalty and honesty–“Honest Iago,” according to Othello–but the audience is immediately introduced to his vitriol and desire for revenge, despite his lack of proved reason. Throughout the play, Iago provides multiple and incompatible motives for hating Othello. It also is the first seed planted in his game of deception. In Act II, Othello says "Iago is most honest" (2.3, p. 41, line 7). He previously served as a theater studies lecturer at Stratford-upon Avon College in the United Kingdom. 2 pages, 720 words The Essay on Theme Of Deception in “Othello” He likes to have others unwittingly working to serve his purposes. He believes in cheating and lying for gain, yet Shakespeare placed some of the most beautiful words in Iago's mouth. His is the longest part with 1,070 lines. Desdemona says this line to Emilia and Iago as she explains how she will remain faithful and loving to Othello even if he insists on accusing her of infidelity. © 2020 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Most shockingly, perhaps, he kills Roderigo, a character with whom he has conspired and been mostly honest throughout the play. The thing about Iago is this—we never really know for certain why it is that Iago wants to destroy Othello. The text may not explicitly support the idea, but doesn't rule it out. If "I am that I am" stands for God, then Iago's self-description, "I am not what I am" is the direct opposite. From Leonardo to Shakespeare there is certainly one thing that they all possess and that is their eloquent ‘genius’. Emilia is unwavering to Desdemona, however, she is faithful to Iago too. Even when she pleases, him he calls her “A good wench” (Act 3 Scene 3, Line 319). Iago then goes on to advise Cassio that he can get his job back by asking Desdemona to speak to Othello, and Cassio thanks him for the advice, whereupon Iago says, "I protest [promise you], in the sincerity of love and honest kindness" (2.3.327). . Iago has very few redeeming qualities. ... Cassio is another character in which it is hard to decide whether he is really honorable or if it is just his reputation. He is a monster who really could not care about his honor. Iago’s opinion and treatment of women in the play also contribute to the audience's perception of him as cruel and unpleasant. This ability of Iago’s is key to his success in suggesting support and concern for Cassio whilst also destroying his character as it allows for him to keep up an appearance of ‘honest Iago’ to Cassio and all the other characters whilst slowly poisoning their thoughts, creating ideas in their heads without implicating himself - ‘And what's he then that says I play the villain, when this advice is free I give, and … of diseased intellectual activity, with the most perfect indifference to moral good or evil, or rather with a decided preference of the latter, because it falls more readily in with his favorite propensity, gives greater zest to his thoughts and scope to his actions. “Demand me nothing. Othello and Iago, the two main characters in Shakespeare's 'Othello,' are one of the most dynamic pairs in all of literature. The villain Iago from "Othello" is a central character, and understanding him is key to understanding Shakespeare's entire play. Each thing Iago says is cause for worry. Roderigo says that Othello only got Desdemona out of luck and he will not be able to carry it off. The positive things Iago says about others; Iago’s intentions towards Othello; ... An image or form of comparison where one thing is said actually to be another - e.g. Iago refers to Othello not by his name but as 'the Moor', calling him 'the devil' (2.1.216) and 'defective' (2.1.220), a racist portrayal which makes Desdemona's unfaithfulness more believable to Roderigo. Apparently this does not mean that Roderigo lived, only that he revived long enough to say a few words, but no one seems to care about … 1 One said that roderigo is supposed to kill cassio 2. Lee Jamieson, M.A., is a theater scholar and educator. He is willing to resort to lying, cheating and trickery to get what he wants. Iago is only after one thing, to be appointed lieutenant, and he will do whatever is necessary to reach his goal. Iago in this play, has the qualities of the Devil in medieval and Renaissance morality plays: He is a liar, he makes promises he has no intention of keeping, he tells fancy stories in order to trap people and lead them to their destruction, and he sees other's greatest vulnerabilities and uses these to destroy them. It is because of this jealousy that Roderigo continues to seek Iago’s assistance. Right from the start of Act 1, it becomes obvious that he is capable of most anything. Bitter about being passed up for Cassio's post, Iago reveals he serves Othello only to serve himself. Roderigo is a rich, unintelligent guy who thinks that if he sends Desdemona enough expensive presents, she'll fall in love with him. The people here with me, they... they care about me, and they shouldn’t. Iago is a man with an obsession for control and power over others who has let this obsession take over his whole life. His suggestion is a subtle mutiny aimed at Roderigo. What you know, you know. Iago”s deception, which in appearance looks similar to Desdemona”s deception, is in fact very different. - When a character says something that is clearly the opposite of the truth ... irony can be used by the characters intentionally - Example: Iago says he is "honest as I am" 18 Euphemism - Saying one thing but clearly meaning another - Usually used sexually - "your daughter and the Moor are making the beast with two backs" is a euphemism for having sex 19 ... Iago says "I am not what I am" and "In following him, I … Say, hypothetically, that we staged an Othello were it was perfectly obvious that Othello had indeed slept with Iago’s wife. Iago is also happy to ruin Desdemona’s happiness just to get revenge on Othello. But Iago says it, and it has to be dealt with one way or another. The theme of jealousy is portrayed through various characters within the play. He cares for no one, yet he devotes his whole life to revenge rather than walk away in disdain. He is deeply unpleasant, and this is revealed to the audience in no uncertain terms in his numerous asides. How Nick describes him in chapter’s Actions character makes: opening: Connection to Nick: Description of his house: A symbol … Iago does all this not for any good reason, but for love of evil. Desdemona swears she would love him even if his mistreatment was responsible for her death, but we don’t know how seriously she takes this possibility. One of the chief things that makes the works of William Shakespeare timeless is his genius for characterization. Use evidence from the text. In doing so, he comes across as even more villainous, now that he is prepared to ruin Othello’s life despite his acknowledged goodness. Though deeply unpleasant, Iago must have considerable intellect to devise and deploy his plans, and to convince the other characters of his various deceptions along the way. ... there … Oftentimes the culprit is ambition, as in Macbeth, or revenge, as in Hamlet. A second letter was also found on Roderigo. Both were addressed to Iago, and together they reveal the full extent of Iago's plot. He points out to Roderigo that men cannot follow leaders if they want to lead themselves. He has the ability to charm and convince people of his loyalty and honesty–“Honest Iago,” according to Othello–but the audience is immediately introduced to his vitriol and desire for revenge, despite his lack of proved reason. This statement is one of the few moments of honesty between Iago and another character. Also in that same scene Cassio calls Iago "honest Iago" (2.3, p. 52, line 335). God replies: "I am that I am" (Exodus,iii,14). Iago has a reputation for honesty, for reliability and direct speaking. The one man who survived Iago's attempt to kill him, Cassio, is the only major character left standing at the end of the play. When Cassio takes hold of Desdemona’s hands before the arrival of Othello he says, “with as little a web as … Iago has very few redeeming qualities. Initially you get the impression that the character of Iago is one of pure evil. Perhaps having guessed that he may be double-crossed, he writes letters which he keeps on his person that eventually discredit Iago and his motives completely. Shakespeare’s numerous characters are not only amazingly varied but also insightfully well-rounded, making them believable and memorable. Necessity forces his hand, and, in order to destroy Othello, he must also destroy Roderigo, Emilia, Desdemona, and ultimately himself. What would such an interpretation do to Iago’s character? Another example of the degree of deception was when Iago said to Othello, “She did deceive her father, marrying you” (111.3.205). The other one says that iago was the one involved in all this roderigo also says how iago told him to pick a fight with Cassio Shakespeare presents Iago as a collection of unsolvable puzzles. Iago says (I.1, 65) "I am not what I am," which can be interpreted as "I am not what I seem." You see right away that he is able to give the appearance of one thing, but in reality be something quite different. 'fleecy clouds'. All rights reserved. Another example of the degree of deception was when Iago said to Othello, “She did deceive her father, marrying you” (111.3.205). Iago portrays Desdemona as lustful, desperate to trade Othello for a more refined Cassio. One such character is Iago who is found in his tragic play, Othello. Iago says (I.1, 65) "I am not what I am," which can be interpreted as "I am not what I seem." Quick in motion as in thought; lithe and sinuous as a snake.". S happiness just to get revenge on Othello is that he is unpleasant. 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Because he really likes Cassio an argument between two men, Iago reveals serves... And lying for gain, yet he devotes his whole life to revenge rather than walk in! Jealousy that Roderigo is supposed to kill Cassio 2 he previously served as a theater studies lecturer at Avon!

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