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Iago, character analysis
Character analysis of iago
Character analysis of iago scene by scene
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Honor is an easy trait to fake when nobody is watching. Iago was a mastermind that throughout the play clearly tricked many characters into believing he was an honorable man. A good reputation is clearly not the direct jewel of a person’s existence, if that were true, then Iago would have had a blackened reputation instead. Truthfulness was a trait that Iago also lacked, he more than made up for it by using that as an advantage to trap other characters in his web of deceit. Iago was a master of appearances, he appeared honest and trustworthy when it was most needed. To Othello, he was a most trusted friend, to Emilia he was an honest husband, to Roderigo he was a friend that was trying to help him win the woman of his dreams. Iago continually
Iago told Roderigo to sell all of his land so that when Desdemona and Othello split, he would be the most eligible based on his wealth. To Roderigo, Iago was a man trying to help his friend get the girl of his dreams. The reader knew that Iago pocketed the jewels and money that Roderigo meant for Desdemona. Iago admits to it in Act V, Scene I, when he said to himself, “Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo, he calls me to a restitution large of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him as gifts to Desdemona.” Throughout the play, Iago continued to play the part as a helpful friend, but it only fooled Roderigo to a fault. Roderigo began to suspect him in Act IV, Scene II when he said to Iago “Every day thou daff’st me with some device, Iago, and rather, as it seems to me now, keep’st from me all conveniency than suppliest me with the least advantage of hope.” This line shows that Roderigo was starting to see through the image that Iago
Iago was not worthy of Emilia. She questioned his motive for wanting Desdemona’s handkerchief but she also stole it from Desdemona for him dispite that because she knew he wanted it for whatever reason. Until the very end, Emilia believed in her husband so much that when she heard that he was the cause of Desdemona’s death, she was in disbelief: consequently, all she could manage to say was “My husband”. When Iago appeared, Emilia said, “Disprove this villain, if thou be’st a man. He says thou told’st him that his wife was false. I know thou didst not, thou'rt not such a villain,”(Act V, Scene II, Line 185). Her husband confessed to telling Othello what he believed to be true about Desdemona. Then, finally, Emilia saw through the curtain of lies that was hung by her husband and she connected the dots, her husband was the most disgusting, horrid, and untruthful man she knew. His act as an honest man was brought down by Emilia as she told the truth to Othello of the entirety of what her husband had
In Act IV, scene ii and iii, Emilia shows her contemporary views about relationships to the audience and talks to Desdemona while doing so. She believes that many men and women are commonly guilty of cheating and betrayal of their partner. At this point, Othello’s worries of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness have wholly increased, and he begins to accuse her of cheating on him. Desdemona then hopes Othello sees to her honesty and truthfulness of the matter. “I hope my noble lord esteems me honest” (Act IV, scene II line 67). Othello counters her begging by beginning his sarcasm and request for her to never have been born. He says, “O, ay. As summer flies are in the shambles,that quicken even with blowing. O Thou weed, Who art so lovely fair and smell’st so sweet That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst ne’er been born!”(Act IV scene II lines 68-70)
Iago is a twenty- eight years old Caucasian married man and he is a soldier in the Venetian army. Iago is viewed as modest, honest, and a good friend to people in public. People refer to him as “honest Iago” which leads them to trust him. Iago plans to destroy Othello by manipulating him to believe that his wife is being unfaithful to him with his promoted lieutenant Cassio, a position Iago wanted to have.
Iago has a close friend named, Roderigo, he loves Desdemona and wishes she loved him back. Iago starts his scheme by saying “I am not what I am”(I.i.71). This is one of many warnings that Iago gives the people that he schemes against. This warning is telling him that what you see is not what you are going to get. One can also elude from this warning that he will only let you see what he wants you to see. One can see that Iago is clearly going to lie to Roderigo by that single statement. The statement alone should shoot red flags up in anyone’s mind. Once Roderigo gets Brabantio out of bed; Iago says something strange to Roderigo, “Though I do hate him as I do hell, yet, for necessity of present life, I must show out a flag and sign of love”(I.i.171-173). Subsequently warning Roderigo about how he lies to people, Iago expects Roderigo to trust him. Unfortunately Roderigo falls into the trap and trusts Iago. Well along Cassio loses his lieutenancy Roderigo is discombobulated. He begins complaining about things Iago asked him to trust him with; corresponding his money, him getting into a ...
	The first scene of Act I illustrates Iago's use of manipulation. Iago knows that Roderigo is upset about losing Desdemona to Othello. Iago himself is angry at Othello for being passed over for promotion to lieutenant for Michael Cassio. Realizing that by playing on Roderigo's jealousy he can gain an ally to work against Othello. Iago does this in a subtle manner. He explains to Roderigo that he was passed up for promotion by Othello. While doing this he makes Othello look inferior by reinforcing the fact that he is a Moor. By pointing out that Othello is a Moor Iago causes Roderigo to become even more jealous, because of the fact that he lost Desdemona to someone who he feels is of a lesser race. It even seems that Iago is toying with Roderigo when he reveals that he is a fraud when he says, "I am not what I am." (I.i.62) By using these tactics, Iago has almost gained total control of Roderigo.
Emilia without a doubt out smarts everyone, including her own brilliant husband, Iago, but little does he know that his loyal wife surprisingly ruins his plan. By gaining his trust, Emilia soon realizes Iago's conniving plan and uses that against him in the end. Considering Iago has no idea what Emilia knows about his plan, he ignores her underrated intelligence. To gain Iago's trust, Emilia obeys every order that he asks her to do. For example, as a part of Iago's plan, he needs to get a hold of Desdemona's beloved handkerchief, which soon he uses against her. Emilia finds the sought-after handkerchief, but instead of returning it back to her mistress, she gives it to her devious husband. When Emilia finds the handkerchief she states, "I am glad I have found this napkin, this was her first remembrance from the Moor. My wayward husband hath a hundred times."(Shakespeare III : iii, 335-336 ). Clearly Emilia wants to please her husband, so she obeys all of his orders just to avoid any trouble with him. Emilia proves her underrated intelligence by telling everyone about Iago's plan to ruin Othello's and Desdemona's marriage. Iago is oblivious to the fact that Emilia knows everything and is in total shock once she tells everyone. Revealing Iago's plan not only makes her the hero of the story, but it also allows her to prove her underrated intelligence. As a result of her action, ...
In the first scene we are thrown right into the action with the argument between Iago and Roderigo. This first argument shows us how Iago is cunning and sly because he has already manipulated a weak Roderigo into paying him for something he hasn't even done yet. Roderigo who is obviously weak and simple has asked Iago to help him woo Desdemona in exchange for money, he thinks Iago has not done this because Desdemona is now at this moment marrying the moor. Yet Iago manages to convince Roderigo of his sheer hatred for Othello and swindle him out of his money. As he later exerts in his soliloquy at the end of Act I.3 ' thus do I ever make my fool my purse' this shows his attitude to Roderigo he is just money for Iago a pawn in his plan. This attitude shows how to a certain extent Iago primes the character he will use later in his plan showing a consistent strategy, he knows he can use Roderigo in the future so keeps him on his side instead of being rude and sharp with him. You can see that Iago finds Roderigo tedious but keeps him a friend for his money and possible use in the future.
While reading the play “The Tragedy Of Othello” by Shakespeare I realized that it was almost like reading one big poem. Many of Shakespeare’s plays have a rhyme scheme this is called blank verse, “written prodomintaly in blank verse, Othello also includes prose passages (many spoken by Iago) and rhymed couplets (which punctuate the ends of some scenes)” (DiYanni 1011). The character I took the most interest in was Iago. He is portrayed as the villain throughout the play. Iago claims that he always speaks the truth when everything is an elaborated lie to manipulate others. Iago is married to Emilia, it was surprising to me that he did have a wife because he doesn’t have a good view on women. He believes they are suppose to be servants and housewives. In his view lying and cheating is the way to get things done. What makes Iago one of the worst shakespeare villains is, he is out to
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
As early as the first scene of the play Iago shows us strong motives for his actions. In this first scene we see Othello, a general of Venice, has made Cassio his new lieutant. Iago feels he truly deserves his promotion as he says "I know my price, I am worth more no worse a place."(l.i.12) Iago over here is confused why Othello has made such a stupid decision. Iago is a man with a tremendous ego who knows, sometimes overestimates, his worth. Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman, understands Iago when Iago said that he is "affined to love the Moor."(l.i.41-42) What Iago really means is "I follow him to serve my term upon him."(l.i.45) Iago wants to use Othello for his personal goals. We also must put ourselves into Iago's shoes. He is a man whose self-esteem and professional carrier have just been torn apart. Iago makes his actions of revenge toward Othello almost immediately by informing Brabantio, a Venetian senator and father of Desdemona, that "an old black ram (Othello) is tupping (his) white ewe (Desdemona)."(l.i.97)
Iago states that the only reason he spends time with Roderigo is for his own wealth and pleasure. His plan is to continue giving Roderigo unfulfilled promises. Iago continues to manipulate Roderigo. He convinces him that Desdemona will soon grow tired of Othello and begin to search for a younger, handsome man to fulfill her desires. Continuing to build on Rod...
He is manipulative and only does things to gain more advantage in life for himself, never thinking of what might happen to others. Even with all of these truths about Iago, he is still considered a “trustworthy” and “good” friend. Throughout the play, even though these acts are done behind the other characters backs, he proves why he might be the worst friend to ever exist. In the beginning of the play, instead of truly trying to help Roderigo overcome his newly found depression through coping and comforting, he manipulates Roderigo into thinking he still has a shot with Desdemona, but only if he essentially gives all his valuable possessions to Iago and allows Iago to do whatever he thinks is necessary to help Roderigo win the heart of Desdemona (Act I, scene iii, lines 693-731). In the end, however, the truth is revealed that Iago has just been taking all of Roderigo’s things and either selling them or keeping them for himself (Act V, scene ii, lines 3670-3696). This not only swindling Roderigo out of everything, but it also proves that Iago is a horrible friend that has no honor. This is not the only supposed “friendship” that Iago takes advantage
One person Iago deceives is Roderigo. Throughout the play, Iago tells him that he hates Othello and that Roderigo should make some money so he could give gifts to Desdemona, who he admires from afar. Thinking that this is sound advice, Roderigo does just that. However, Iago is actually keeping the gifts that Roderigo plans to give Desdemona for himself. Eventually, Roderigo begins to catch on to the act and confronts Iago, but he falls right into Iago’s trap again when he tells him that killing Cassio will help him win over Desdemona. Roderigo is then lead to his death by the hands of "Honest Iago."
It has been made from his fake personality towards other people. In reality he is not a honorable person at all. He doesn’t help others, he talks badly of them, and tries to ruin their reputations. The only person who knows some of the true Iago is his wife, Emilia, and he never lets her speak about it. All of his actions say that his honor is fake. He has earned his “honor” from his reputation, but neither are truthful. Iago is the person that everyone likes, but when once they know who he is that change their mind. His pare in the play emphasizes how different appearances and reality can be. Iago appears to be one thing, but in reality he is not who he seems to be. Iago doesn’t deserve his reputation and he has stole the reputations of others; he is not an honorable
Iago controls Emilia and treats her as less when she does not act as a submissive wife. Therefore, Emilia follows to keep Iago satisfy. Further, Iago tells Emilia to steal the handkerchief; which she follows without knowing his intentions, to then be insulted by Iago calling her a “foolish wife” (3.3.313), and demanding her, “Go, leave me” (3.3.330). Apparently, Iago makes Emilia lesser, and she accepts her role as a submissive wife. Moreover, although Othello proclaims loving Desdemona, he perceives her as inferior as a result of jealousy. As in Act 5, Scene 2 where Othello says to Desdemona, “Down, strumpet!” (89), suggesting that he puts her in an inferior position to kill her reflecting his true perception of Desdemona. And likewise Emilia, Desdemona accepts the role of an obedient wife by using her last breath to take the fault off Othello
Iago seduces Roderigo’s compliance in the disaster by dripping sweetened words of his attempts to sway Desdemona away from Othello. Roderigo, in his naïve and loving mind, give Iago the financial means to further his plot of disaster. Iago tells Roderigo that the money and jewels he spends go to Desdemona, but there is little evidence of this. And it seems unlikely that Iago needed large sums of money to exact his revenge on the Moor. He does it with words and a handkerchief, not rubies and emeralds.