Shakespeare's Portrayal of Iago and Brabantio in Othello

Shakespeare's Portrayal of Iago and Brabantio in Othello

This extract below is taken from Act 1 scene 1, which contains plenty

of dramatic irony on the whole from Iago. It is also rich in imagery

and metaphorical expressions. The scene opens the way to show us

Shakespeare's portrayal of different characters and their various

language preferences. Iago and Brabantio are extremely contrasting

characters especially in language choices. It should be said that

Othello was written (never published) by Shakespeare for theatrical

performances. Therefore the effects of the language are meant to be

heard, as by an attentive audience as they would be. Also not many of

these effects are merely decorative however most help interpret the

action on stage of each character.

Iago is possibly the most heinous villain that Shakespeare has

created, he is fascinating for his most terrible characteristic, his

utter lack of convincing motivation for his actions. He is willing to

take revenge on anyone, Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, Roderigo, and even

Emilia and at the slightest provocation he enjoys the pain and damage

he causes.

Shakespeare also shows him to be funny, especially in his scenes with

the foolish Roderigo, which serve as a showcase of his manipulative

abilities. He seems almost to wink at the audience as he revels in his

own skill. Iago cleverly puts the audience on side when he is with

Roderigo, but the interactions between the two also reveal a streak of

cowardice in Iago. Some would say his horrible malicious plan for

persecuting Othello just underlines his homosexual love for the

general. He certainly seems to take great pleasure i...

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outraged by 'What profane wretch art thou,' because his social

position is undermined by Iago erotic expressions about Desdemona

elopement with Othello and he is very affronted by it. Therefore, he

says, 'Thou art a villain.' I think Brabantio doesn't realise his

choice of language is ironic for what is to come in the play because

Iago is a villain.

Using this extract we can see Shakespeare's portrayal of Brabantio is

not very complex as he is not a major character in the play as a

whole. He however does offer an element of the play. He is shown is

his language that his position as a senator of Venice doesn't mean he

has supreme power with Desdemona. Iago and Brabantio language choices

are completely diverse because it is relevant to how their characters

perform and present themselves in the play and the theatre.