The Wicked Seed In Othello Analysis

1437 Words3 Pages

Mehmi 1
Sam Mehmi
Ms. Hanemann
ENG 3U0
March 6th 2014
Words: 1738

The Wicked Seed in Othello

Planting a wicked seed will grow onto become a tree and as the growth progresses, so does the

wickedness inside. Likewise in Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is the wicked seed that grows onto a tree

and even though the great friends he's given, he slowly but surely becomes more malevolence. Early in

the play, Iago is jealous of Cassio of his title and plots his plan to get rid of him. Afterwards, Iago

begins to carry out his plan and soon enough gets the advantage of becoming Othello's lieutenant. Last

of all, the evil nature in Iago continues and grows onto him yet after achieving the title he so wanted.

Iago's monologues, manipulation, and acts of others brings out the maturation of the seed and extent of

his character.

The beginning of the play, Iago was just resentful and odious because of the the jealously he had

toward Cassio for the title he so deserved as lieutenant. Iago has so much hate toward Cassio that he

starts to plan out a downfall that would completely get rid of him. Distraught that Cassio being chosen

over him, his acts start by telling Roderigo how the military genuinely works. “Why, there's no remedy.

'Tis the curse of service;/ Preferment goes by the letter and affection,/ And not by old gradation, where

each second/Stood heir to th' first.” Shakespeare (I, I, 35-38) Iago clearly disdains the reality that he

wasn't selected. This is a key quote which sets the timer of the actions that Iago takes throughout the

play. Becoming the lieutenant is Iago's primary objective and is broad to the audience that he would go

to any extent to obtain it. Iago is merely jealous at this point and jeal...

... middle of paper ...

...trives for more. As he grows in power, more things begin to happen around him and when

more things happen, Iago gets more evil ideas and grows much more. Shakespeare had created a

perfect villain. A villain who makes work out out of everything and dominates the stage by bringing life

to the character.

Mehmi 6

Annotated Bibliography

Iyasere, Solomon, Marla Iyasere, and Janet Adelmen. “Iago's Alter Ego: Race as Projection in
Othello's Understanding Racial issues in Shakespeare’s “Othello”: Selected Critical Essays (2008): 286

Othello: “One unperfectness shows me another”. The Ethic and the Aesthetic in Othello's “Marble Heaven” and Iago's “Imperfect” Plot.” Shakespeare and this “Imperfect” World: Dramatic Form and the Nature of Knowing (1997): 206

Shakespeare, William. Othello. London: Oxford, 1989. Print.

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