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Iago character analysis a level
Iago character analysis a level
Iago character analysis a level
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This speech is said by Iago and it’s given during his presence with Othello, momentarily after Desdemona tried to convince him into bringing back Cassio’s former position as a lieutenant; Iago takes advantage out of this situation and attempts to give out the message that Othello shouldn’t regret his decision of stripping Cassio’s position. For instance, Iago is aware that Othello deeply admires Desdemona, which led him to making up circumstances where it seemed like Desdemona wasn’t staying committed to their marriage by having an affair with Cassio; Iago made it seem evident when he claimed that Cassio (during his sleep) exclaimed phrases which are directly tied towards his feelings for Desdemona and could indicate that Cassio dreams portray …show more content…
As an illustration, Cassio is tricked into believing that Iago will devise a plan into bringing back his position as lieutenant and humbly thanks Iago for it by saying that he never knew a Florentine more kind and honest (3.1.43-45). To elaborate, Cassio is unaware about Iago’s true colors and his felonious intentions that eventually led to the downfall to many characters in the play, proving that Iago is deceiving. Not only that, but Iago was deeply honored by Othello himself when Iago claimed that he would try to end the alleged relationship between Desdemona and Cassio by making sure that Cassio gets murdered, stating “I greet thy love not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous…” (3.4.534-535). No doubt, Othello has fallen into Iago’s trap and doesn’t have the slightest clue that Iago didn’t actually care about helping out Othello, merely to just earn his trust, which ended up with Othello giving Iago the position as
Iago elaborates a master plan to get Cassio position as a lieutenant. Iago get Cassio drunk so he could fight Roderigo. Othello then discharge Cassio from the lieutenant position when he says, How must poor Cassio have felt? To lose all he had worked for, working up his reputation that any half-hearted human can tell he earned and deserved. Iago know that Othello who ask him about the deed because of he fame of being a honest man. Iago tell Othello about the deed winning his trust that is when Iago starts to crab Othello by his weak point his Love for Desdemona.
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...
Iago, like Satan, has proved himself to be a master at deception. He lies to everyone taking great care to disguise his own thoughts. For example, in Act 1, scene 2, when he is speaking to Othello about his feelings toward Cassio, he uses very strong language of a manly soldier, while at the same time, he lies throughout the whole speech faking loyalty to a fellow soldier and all the while implying that he is reluctantly holding back the full truth: "I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth/ Than it should do offense to Michael Cassio" (I.ii.21-22). This deception impresses and convinces Othello that his ensign is a good and loyal soldier. Iago also succeeds in deceiving Cassio. After Cassio's drunken fight, Iago counsels him to speak to Desdimona about trying to convince Othello to reinstate him as lieutenant, all th...
In Othello, Iago uses his fine reputation as an “honest man” and Othello’s insecurities to manipulate him and carry out his master plan of destroying Cassio, Othello, and Desdemona. Iago’s insight towards the other characters’ weaknesses enables him to let them know exactly what they want to hear, which helps him gain their trust. He plays upon the insecurities of others to maneuver them into carrying out the actions he needs done in order to fulfill his own desires. In looking at Othello, we will consider the Othello’s blind acceptance of “the truth” as it is presented to him and find that when we blindly take another’s “truth” and accept it as our own, we merely become tools utilized by the person who gave us that supposed truth and give up the power of being ourselves—we fail to assert a self. Iago is angry because Othello chose Cassio to hold a position which he thinks he deserves, so he seeks revenge by playing upon Othello’s main flaw—his lack of trust—and putting Cassio in a position that would turn Othello against him.
For Iago, deception, manipulating, and killing are second nature. It doesn’t occur to him that he will be caught and he doesn’t have any conscience about what he has done. These characteristics show that Iago is self-absorbed and out for himself. He is also greedy and jealous and plots to make everyone around him unhappy, while seeking position and honor. High position and honor starts his hatred of Othello. Iago sees Othello as being beneath him because of his race, but having all the glory and honor that he covets. The final straw, Cassio being made lieutenant over him, makes him take action and plot his revenge.
The play Othello was written in 1604 during the Elizabethan era. Othello, the moor, enjoyed success in combat, which gained him a reputation as one of Venice’s most prominent Generals. He married the lovely Desdemona, the daughter of Brabantio, a Venetian Senator. Othello, despite his blackness, is a noble leader and Cassio his Lieutenant. Iago, serves as Othello’s ensign- an officer of low rank. Iago thinks he is worthy of a better title and resents both Othello and Cassio for their position. Iago was intrigued by Othello’s decision to appoint Cassio since he believed he had the qualities and experiences needed for the position despite having the “three great ones of the city” advocate in his favor. (1.1.9). Iago is threatened by both Othello
Despite the fact that Iago deliberately subjects Othello to his twisted thoughts, Othello seems to have a greedy ear for his discourse, and appears to rely on Iago for the underlying truths of this white, male-dominated society he wants to belong to. Perhaps that helps explain how easily Othello is fooled without any real evidence. Once Iago has sown the seed of doubt in Othello's mind about Cassio, whom they both presumably see as a proper man (I.
Othello has had Iago as his ensign for many years. They have gone to battle many times over. In war, every little thing can affect the outcome, everything is vital information. During this time, Othello, when he was upset or unsure of what to do, has learned to trust and listen to Iago’s insights about strategy and war. Othello shows that his trust in Iago extends beyond the battlefield when he asks Iago to take care of his wife during the voyage to Cyprus. It’s this trust that backfires on him. When Othello hears Iago’s off hand remark about Cassio, he trusts that Iago would not have said anything if it wasn’t something to worry about. Then, Iago, knowing how Othello thinks of his character, makes Othello think there is more to his thoughts than he is willing to speak of. Iago knows just what to say and how to articulate it to make Othello think the worst. He even manages to look like a friend who wants to keep...
Implicitly targeting Othello’s doubts about marrying Desdemona and insecurities about her actions with infidelity, Iago eventually impacts Othello enough that the General himself confides in Iago about his own wife. Earlier in the play, ‘honest Iago’ needs to first gain Othello’s confidence and he does so by expressing his loyalty to Cassio, “I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth/ Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio”, while Othello is present in a conflict (2.3. 203-204). Then, later in the play Iago baits Othello by suggesting that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Immediately, Othello wants more information; however, Iago nervously responds with, “…vicious in my guess-/ As I confess…” and tries to calm Othello by saying, “My noble lord-” (3.3 46-47, 93). When voicing his devotion to Cassio, Iago immediately begins to play on his false reputation as ‘honest Iago’. He enables Othello, and his fellow characters, to think highly of him and to respect that even when his partner, Cassio, has not been following orders, Iago would even endure physical pain and have his “tongue cut from [his] mouth” and proves his locality (2.3. 203). This leads to when Iago responds to Othello’s queries, about
Iago has a deep understanding of his victims, having a complete understanding of their behavior and beliefs. To begin with, Iago is jealous of the fact that Cassio is now second in command, as he believes that he is more fit for the job as he says: 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 theorist (Acts 21-31) Iago develops an instant hate for Cassio as he took the job that Iago believes he truly Iago also creates a new profound hate for Othello for not recognizing that he is more worthy and has more qualification for the job, resulting in the start of his plans to destroy Othello and Cassio. This was the start of the downfall of many characters.
Iago is outraged as he believes he is far more qualified and possesses more field experience than Cassio. His rage extends to Othello for making the appointment: “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 toged consuls can propose / As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice / Is all his soldiership” (1.1.123-127) Iago conceives of a plan to turn Othello against Cassio by fabricating an affair between Desdemona and Cassio. Yet Iago is oblivious to his own jealousy and demeans Othello for his: “O beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” (3.3.15) Iago’s embarassment and rejection when he failed to be named lieutenant turns to jealousy which gives birth to a plan to ruin both Othello and Cassio’s future. Another motivation for Iago’s plan to ruin Othello are the rumours that Othello and his wife Emilia are having an affair: “I hate the Moor / And it is thought abord, that ‘twixt my sheets / ‘Has done my office / I know not if’t be true / But I, for mere suspicion in that kind / Will do as it for surety.” (1.3.329-433) Iago’s excuse for ruining Othello’s life was always based on the fact that he appointed Cassio lieutenant instead of him. Here, however, Iago suggests he loathes Othello due to the ongoing rumours that Othello is having an affair with his wife Emilia. This demonstrates that Iago’s jealousy is rooted in more than one situation or event regarding Othello. As with Roderigo, Iago is ruled by his jealousy, even in the absence of real evidence. Although Othello possesses many admirable traits such as loyalty and determination, his tragic flaw is jealousy. Othello is another puppet of Iago, who is able to convince him that
In fact, Iago positions Othello to watching Cassio get closer to his wife Desdemona. Othello also knows that Iago is reticence to say anything about Cassio, but he does not know Iago feigned. Instead of telling Othello the truth, Iago speaks, “Cassio, my lord! No sure, I cannot think it, that he could steal away so guilty-like, seeing you coming” (3.3.38-40). This scene actually puts the plot into action by Iago giving Othello suspicion. However, Othello knows that he needs more suspicion to honestly believe his wife is having an affair. Iago becomes more manipulative toward Othello with lies.
Although Othello did promote Cassio over Iago, he still holds an immense amount of trust in Iago. Iago is able to create a perfect facade throughout the play so that Othello trusts him with no hesitation. He does not think twice about anything Iago tells him. When Othello finds that his orders to Cassio have been taken up by Iago he replies with “Iago is most honest.” (page 88) This shows that Othello holds the same trust in Iago as he does in Cassio. By securing this trust within Othello, Iago is able to carefully plant lies that Othello wholeheartedly believes. It is this very aspect that makes Iago so
Throughout the drama, Othello let Iago control him as if he was a puppet under his master’s hands. When Iago first brought up the idea that Desdemona and Cassio might be having an affair, Othello did not believe him, he had faith in his wife. After many lies that Iago planted in Othello’s ears, Othello started to believe him and he dropped most of the faith that he had in Desdemona. Iago told Othello that in his sleep, Cassio said “Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our love”. Cursed fate that gave thee the Moor” (III.iii.416-417).
Iago first starts this manipulation by lying to Othello about what he heard from Cassio. He tells Othello that Cassio has been having sex with desdemona and that desdemona truly only loves Cassio. By doing this he places a seed of doubt into his head and that seed slowly starts to grow and grow until it blossoms into jealousy and hatred. Othello slowly starts to resent Cassio and Desdemona and also he resents Iago a little because he was the one that pointed it out. Iago later would trick Othello into believing that desdemona has given the handkerchief that Othello originally gave to her to Cassio. Iago later then tells Othello to watch them closely as they interact with each other. Iago would later get Othello so riled up that he goes and murders desdemona. This is far from the honorable man we saw in the beginning of the