Iago Betrayal Analysis

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Amidst the global warming crisis in the artic and subsequent lack of food, there have been reports of polar bears eating their own children due to the lack of food. While gruesome, being threatened causes one to take drastic actions to protect oneself. If bears can lose their most maternal instincts for self-protection, what is to stop betrayal among friendships? As seen in William Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago’s deliberate and carefully thought out betrayal demonstrates the theme that one often loses sight of humanity in a quest for revenge. Shakespeare’s utilization of characterization through personal thoughts illuminates the willingness of Iago to betray during his quest for revenge. While leading Roderigo to believe he is helping him,
The key to Iago’s deception is his ability to convince others that he is on their side. This first comes up when Iago gets Roderigo to “put money enough in [his] purse” to pay Iago for his services (1.3.316). Iago then tells the audience that he would “be time expend with such a snipe but for my sport and profit” (1.3.318-323). This sets the stage for the rest of Iago’s betrayal as he is constantly trying to make himself the protagonist while being the antagonist behind the scenes. Through Iago’s feeling that he has to cover himself from seeming like the villain, it becomes clear that he has thought out all the possible implications his act could have on him which is ironic considering how little he cares for his action’s implication on others. Through the juxtaposition, Shakespeare demonstrates how Iago has lost sight of humanity while still having enough reason to carry out his carefully planned betrayal. In continuation with the pattern of differentiating between thoughts and actions, Shakespeare again utilizes this juxtaposition when Iago convinces Cassio that he is “in the right,” while wondering to himself, “what’s he then that says I play the villain? When this advice is free I give and honest” (2.3.245-247). The juxtaposition again depicts how concerned Iago is with how others are seeing him. In addition, it is not just Iago’s fantasy that believes he is doing the right thing. Cassio even calls him “honest Iago” (2.3.243). While cynical, there is a certain art to Iago’s carefully thought out betrayal in its ability to have a convincing effect on everyone involved. The two sides to the betrayal counteract, yet complement each other as Iago’s plan would not work without other’s trusting him, but it does cause Iago to lose sight of

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