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Character analysis of iago in othello essay
Character analysis of iago in othello essay
Character analysis of iago in othello
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Iago is one of the main characters in William Shakespeare play “Othello”. Iago displays three character traits, pride, deception. Each shows who he is, and show how his actions have affected him and those around him. Iago shows deception in the play when he says to Othello, “She did deceive her father, marrying you”, by saying this he is trying to hurt Othello and tries to make Othello have doubts about his marriage. He also deceives Othello in act 4 when he tries to make him think he is talking with Cassio about Desdemona, he used his body language to do this to Othello. Many times Iago references Desdemona trying to get under Othello skin. There is also pride that Iago displays during the play. Iago doesn’t seem to have much pride at
The conniving Iago has unquestionably caused Othello to be suspicious of Desdemona's fidelity. Othello, like every one of the other characters, is duped by this 'honest' ancient whom he kno...
In Othello, Iago is Shakespeare’s most malicious character and serves as a vehicle to these two themes. Iago despises Othello; he has a strong will to destroy Othello’s life, yet the motive behind his plan goes unexplained. Iago is a great manipulator of the tongue and lies to everyone in order to advance his plan; however, every character in the play considers Iago an honest character, and Othello even associates Iago with light and eyesight. Othello continuously asks Iago to explain or make something clearer. Until the very end, Iago appears to be honest and helpful to the other characters, but underneath this seemingly harmless façade, Iago is a demon with the strongest will; he will stop at nothing until he ruins Othello’s life. Iago uses a positive appearance to enact his
One of the most prominent traits in Iago is his ability to manipulate. His entire plan of bringing about the downfall of Othello involves him manipulating characters into believing what he wants them to believe. In fact, he is so good at manipulating people that no one even suspects him of doing anything wrong because they believe he is such an honorable man. “Iago deceives Othello by also manipulating other people to achieve his ends” (Boyce). This shows that Iago is able to deceive mostly everyone in the play. However, Iago himself says in Act I scene i line 62 of Othello “I am not what I am.” He means that he is not the loyal, honest friend that he appears to be to everyone else. His manipulations include using Roderigo for his money if he helps him against Othello while making it seem like he will help Roderigo win Othello’s wife, Desdemona (Shakespeare). He also manipulates Othello by making it seem as if Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair, which is what ultimately brings about the hero’s downfa...
honest even by Othello himself, Iago uses it to his advantage . You can see this happen when
...ves the characters. Iago is the protagonist of Othello through strong leading actions, strengths complimented through flaws, and a humor that manipulates the audience’s feelings.
In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is the antagonist and villain who causes all the trouble and disorder. Othello is the protagonist, and is the main person Iago’s destruction and revenge is aimed towards. Othello is nave and gives everybody his trust even though he may not know them or they haven’t earned his trust yet. He often refers to Iago as “Honest” Iago, which is a direct showing of irony because Iago is not honest at all (Shakespeare, I, iii. 289).
He claims a reputation for honesty and plain speaking, in the play the others refer to him as “honest Iago,” yet he invents elaborate lies in order to exploit and manipulate other people. Unfortunately he is surrounded with bitter irony. In chapter one Iago says “I am not what I am,” which can be interpreted as “I am not what I seem.” What is good for him is bad for others and people repeatedly rely on him and he betrays them. Much like a sociopath, Iago likes to have other unwittingly working to serve his purposes. Iago is also a man with an obsession for control and power over others who has let his obsession take over his whole life. Ultimately, Iago achieved his goal in destroying Othello and obtaining power, unfortunately he is not alive to bask in that
Iago behaves like a predator, guided by selfish desires. Almost all of his thoughts and actions are subjected to one idea - to achieve success for himself, in the different form - promotion, enrichment, a success of any expressed. The only exception to this rule is a desire to destroy Othello.
In Shakespeare 's Othello, Iago persuades Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful by manipulating multiple characters in the play. Iago is a very crafty character who succeeds in using the power of language to carry out his plans without revealing his true intentions to other characters. In the play, Iago puts the seed of jealousy and suspicion in Othello’s mind by playing with everybody’s emotion. In the process, he ends up causing the death of all major characters, including the protagonist.
Othello is seen as an outstanding officer in combat of war. With his profound skills, sense of judgment, and demeanor ha was able to climb the ladder of success to achieve the title of general. Though he may be seen as this accomplished leader, Iago’s cunning plan gets the best of Othello when he is fooled countless times by “honest” Iago. After the incidents with Cassio losing his lieutenancy, Iago began to the put the pieces together by making Othello question the relationship between Cassio and Desdemona. Iago creates doubt in Othello by asking the though-provoking question, “Did Michael Cassio, when (you) wooed my lady, know of your love?”(123) Iago wants Othello to question the motives Cassio and his involvement with Desdemona by making it seem as Cassio has planned to take Desdemona away even when her and Othello were together. As they speak Iago continues to reinforce the idea of Desdemona’s chances of cheating on Othello with Cassio. To convince Othello of the high likelihood of Desdemona cheating, Iago makes the claim, “She did deceive her father, marrying you”. (131) Iago takes a direct shot at how Desdemona would deceive her own father to be with Othello so why would she deceive Othello. Though it is obvious that relationships between father/daughter and husband/wife are complete opposite it is able to peak curiosity in Othello. Iago is careful speaking to Othello but is able to get his lies to make Othello question his own judgment. Iago uses repetition to make sure Othello remembers what he said in, “I hope you will consider what is spoke… But I do see you’re moved.” (133) Iago wants Othello to realize his jealousy so that he can use it against him later with the pieces begin to fall into
of being an honest man. Iago knew that an important man like Othello couldn’t ignore. the possibility that his wife was cheating on him. Nobody suspects that Iago is a deceitful man and would plot and plan to destroy Othello, Cassio and Desdemona in such a way. cunning way to go.
From the very beginning of the play, Iago is held in very high regard within the community in Venice. He is often called “honest Iago” by many people, including his superior, Othello. There is a large juxtaposition between Iago’s perceived character in the beginning of the play, and at the end of the play. There are two possible reasons that this man that many now know to be one of the
In the play Othello, the character Iago is a liar, who will trick anyone to get his way, regardless of what happens to them or how they would feel. Iago does his best to find flaws in others and makes deals, agreements and promises with people that he doesn’t plan to keep. Iago is a pure evil, manipulative villain because of the actions he expressed throughout the play, as well as the way he deceived other characters, and the compassion he showed for revenge. Iago is a character in the play Othello, that brings trouble to people he doesn't care much for. He doesn’t think much of anyone besides himself.
Iago, the villainous character of the play Othello uses his soliloquies to reveal what he has in store for the other characters. From the view of the other characters Iago is an honest and trustworthy person who they all seem to confide in and take advice from. Yet by the end of act 1 scene 3, the audience is informed that he appears to be quite the opposite. He is a two faced character who appears evil on the inside and wants to trap the other characters in his destructive web of lies and hatred. While reading the soliloquy it becomes evident as to how evil Iago is;
Iago gave the impressions to betray Othello as a friend, and his marriage with Desdemona. Othello is given hints that his new wife Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio and is no longer loyal to Othello anymore. Othello once referred to Iago as “Honest Iago”, because he knew at the time that he co...