Destruction Of Honesty In Shakespeare's Othello

Othello is a story of trust, and tragedy. A story of love, and loss. Who caused the aforementioned tragedy, and loss? Why, ‘honest’ Iago, of course. Iago is begrudgingly an ensign in the Venetian military, Under the command of The moor, Othello. Iago loathes the moor, for he chose Michael Cassio, a far younger, and less experienced man to be his lieutenant. Iago vows revenge on Othello, and swears to ruin his life. Now, Iago’s need for power is what drives him to do the awful things he does to Othello, Cassio, and all the others around him.

Iago wants to ruin Othello because Othello chose Cassio for the promotion instead of him, Iago also heard rumors that Othello slept with his wife, Emilia.
“..I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets He has done my office. I know not if it be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,Will do as if for surety” (Othello Act I scene III) In this quote, Iago is saying that he hates Othello because he’s heard a rumor around Venice that Othello is having an affair with his wife. The reason Iago was chosen was because he is arguably the main character of the play. Yes the play is called ‘Othello’ but this reader sees Iago as a more realistic, and to be

honest, likeable character.

Similarly, The reason Marxist criticism was chosen, was because Iago’s entire reasoning for doing what he does in this play are for power, and revenge. And Marxist focuses on power. “One Michael Cassio, a

Florentine, A fellow almost damned in a fair wife,That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric, Wherein the togèd consuls can propose As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election; And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds Christian and heathen, must be beleed and calmed By debitor and creditor. This counter-caster, He, in good time, must his lieutenant be” (Othello Act I scene I) in this, Iago is explaining to Roderigo why he hates the moor, and uses the fact that Iago is far more experienced that Iago as his main argument.

So, in conclusion Iago and Marxist criticism go hand in hand.The reason they work so well together is because Marxist criticism deals with power, and social classes. Iago does what he does for power, and because he was passed up for lieutenant. Back then, the highest military rank you held, the higher you were in social classes, Which is why Othello was treated as if he were royalty. Now, this essay was devised to make you make you see why Marxist criticism works with Iago, and hopefully it has done that job.