Iago's Legacy Of Othello

Shakespeare’s legacy is one that is largely unmatched. It is common knowledge that Shakespeare has a vast amount of critically-acclaimed pieces. With this, discussion arises regarding his greatest story. With groundbreaking characters, clever storytelling, and remarkable character development, Othello stands out as Shakespeare’s greatest accomplishment. Othello is a tragedy focused on the story of Othello, a general in the Venetian army, and how his life takes a dark turn. The one causing this dark turn is none other than Iago, Othello’s standard bearer. Iago’s reasoning for causing the downfall of Othello is mainly focused around the fact that he was not chosen to be Othello’s officer. Evidently, this angered Iago, so he produced a plan to

Even though Othello himself is the minority, he expresses hatred towards his own skin color. This is a result of the systemic oppression being placed on him, and it eventually rubs off into his own thoughts. Another reason this play is Shakespeare’s greatest accomplishment is the growth of relationships. There is a phenomenal growth of relationships in this play, mainly surrounding Iago. Iago’s role is to use his gift of deception to manipulate those around him, and he does this with an evident god-complex. It’s almost as if Iago is omniscient, toying in others’ affairs with ease. This clever manipulation is even displayed in the first scene: Even now, now, very now, an old black ram

Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!

Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,

Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you.

Arise, I say! (III.iii.97-101)

Iago addresses Brobantio, speaking on his daughter, and how Othello is “tupping” her. His intent is to obviously anger Brobantio, and he urges him to take action. Iago also uses his manipulation skills on Othello to make him believe he is a cuckold: In sleep I heard him say “Sweet Desdemona,

Let us be wary, let us hide our loves,”

And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,

Cry “O sweet creature!” and then kiss me hard,

As if he pluck'd up kisses by the

Although these are both great plays, this just simply isn’t true. Character development in Othello, and the progression to chaos each character undergoes, is better than most pieces of literature anywhere, much less Romeo and Juliet. Compared alongside Othello, Romeo and Juliet has a much more two-dimensional buildup of character development. Regarding storytelling and plot development overall, Othello again reigns superior to most other pieces of art. The intricate design of the plot and rise to utter chaos is unmatched, even for one of Shakespeare’s better plays, Macbeth. Othello begins with Othello’s love for Desdemona, but his love becomes thoroughly twisted by the end of the play; he even