Othello is a famous literal work of Shakespeare. In most of his literal writings, he addresses the ideas and concepts of human behavior, varying from love, to hate, to revenge and many other aspects (Domı´nguez-Rue´and Mrotzekb, p. 671). In Othello, he presents yet another masterpiece which talks about the tragedy of the noble hero who is brought down and destroyed by a human flaw which is jealousy. Othello is a domestic tragedy and encompasses different timeless themes that include; love, revenge, hate, jealousy and trust (Feather, p. 244). This essay concentrates on the theme of revenge and how the different characters exhibit revenge in their actions. Iago is the major character that this essay will focus on in talking about revenge.
I. traits and motivations
Iago is a character that Shakespeare chooses to depict in different forms; he represents every bad human flaw that one can have in society. He is a perfect example of what man should not be and what he should strive to avoid. A bad friend, back stabber, a liar and a schemer is what Iago is. All these character traits are used to bring out the malicious nature of Iago, and to create a vivid picture of people in society that may pose as friends but in real sense hate the fact that one is happy or prosperous. At a glance, Iago appears to be normal and not that evil at all, but with a deeper delve into the plot the reader is confronted with shocking character traits that Iago depicts. When he says that he is not who he is, he explains better to the reader to expect totally opposite traits from him. (Shakespeare, and Alexander, Act 1, scene 1, line 64). One may think that he is an honest person but as it turns out, Iago feels that Cassio is ignorant and not well suited to be g...
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...of the wrongs they commit to them end up having far much worse outcomes even for the avenger. This is clearly brought out in Othello through Iago and what he faces after his revengeful acts against Othello. Othello, who is a noble hero, is also brought down as a result of revenge. The revengeful nature has to be conquered and tamed if man is to proceed in life, acts of forgiveness and love must instead replace the urge to avenge a misdeed.
Works Cited
Domı´nguez-Rue´, E and Mrotzekb, M. Shakespearean tragedies dynamics: identifying a generic structure in Shakespeare’s four major tragedies. International Journal of General Systems. (2012). 671
Feather, J. O blood, blood, blood": Violence and Identity in Shakespeare's Othello . (n.d.). 244
Shakespeare, William, and Alexander Dyce. Othello the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare. Vol. 31. B. Tauchnitz, (1868).
Mowat, Barbara A. and Paul Werstine, ed. Introduction. Shakespeare: Othello. New York: Washington Square Press, 1993.
What is perhaps the leading cause for the downfall of the characters in the play is Iago’s hypocritical nature that comes with an undeniable desire for fame, and receiving attention from others. To begin with, the audience can develop the idea that Iago greatly appreciates all the compliments that others give to him. Noteworthy evidence includes when Cassio “humbly [thanks Iago] for’t, [never knowing] a Florentine more kind and honest (3.1.27-28), as well as when Othello states that he knows [Iago is] full of love and honesty (3.3.118). The significance behind Othello, Iago, and what others thought about Iago’s qualities that he possesses all share one thing in common – the characters share their feelings for Iago whenever he ensures that he would help find solutions to their problems, such as Roderigo’s fondness for Desdemona, bringing back Cassio’s position as lieutenant, and helping out Othello by ending the alleged relationship between Desdemona and Cassio; this evidence demonstrates how Iago would do whatsoever only for people to praise him and to create a positive reputation of himself so it would be easier for him to hide his felonious schemes from others. Similarly, in order
Shakespeare, William. The Norton Shakespear. Othello. Dir. Grenblatt, Cohen, Howard, and Eisaman Maus. (second ed.) New York. 2008.
Fred West addresses the fact of Iago misrepresentation, “It is not sufficient to simply drape Iago in allegorical trappings and proclaim him Mister Evil or a Machiavel or a Vice. Such a limited view of Iago is an injustice to the complexity of his character, since Shakespeare’s studies in personality are acclaimed by psychologists for their accuracy and profundity” (27). West seems to be reminding us that just seeing Iago as the representation of evil within the play of “Othello” is the wrong way to paint him. Iago is a man wronged by Othello in the fact that he was not chosen to be Othello’s lieutenant, which is what put the dastardly idea into Iago’s head to trick them all and bring them to their knees. As Iago tells Roderigo within the first act and scene of “Othello”,
Mack, Maynard. Everybody’s Shakespeare: Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies. Lincoln, NB: University of Nebraska Press, 1993.
Shakespeare, William. Othello. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2009. Print
“I am not what I am,” proclaims one of Shakespeare’s darkest and most enigmatic villains, Iago, in the tragedy Othello. Iago’s journey for revenge enables him to become capable of immoral acts, and whilst his malevolence excites us, we are no more intrigued by his attributes than we are of the play’s tragic hero, Othellos’. Rather, both characters’ confrontation with jealousy and their subsequent moral demise as a result of failing to control such an emotion provides the true excitement for audiences. Iago’s spiteful manipulation of Othello makes him a multifaceted character — whose corrupt attributes make the audience examine their own morality. However, the same can be said of Othello; his failure to withstand Iago’s ‘pouring of pestilence’
Characters in the play fail to comprehend Iago’s true nature until it is too late. Those interacting with Iago fall into the belief that Iago is loyal to his superiors, when Iago is actually focused on bringing them (Cassio and Othello) down. Iago constructs a false impression of his loyalty to Othello through ...
Shakespeare, William. Othello. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2009. Print
Iago is a powerful predator who exploits those around him by infecting their perceptions of truth with carefully chosen fallacy. His skill in finding the proverbial chinks in others' armor allows him to skillfully weave his machinations of destroying Othello into their minds and actions; by manipulating character's perceptions of Desdemona, Iago gains the leverage he needs to exploit each character. No one is impervious to Iago's seething purpose; even Othello falls prey to Iago's suggestions and insinuations about Desdemona. Iago's constant presence as the stager, as well as his ceaseless - but subtle - reinforcement of events through narration, allows him to be the pivotal force that directs Shakespeare's Othello.
Barroll, J. L. (1975). The structure of a shakespearean tragedy. Shakespeare Studies, 8, 1. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1297958576?accountid=12085
Shakespeare, William. Othello. Ed. Philip M. Parker. [San Diego, Calif.]: ICON Classics, 2005. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 17 Feb. 2014.
- - -. Othello. 1968. Ed. Kenneth Muir. The New Penguin Shakespeare. London: Penguin Books, 1996.
Barthelemy, Anthony G. "Introduction" Critical Essays on Shakespeare's Othello. Ed. Anthony G. Barthelemy Pub. Macmillan New York, NY 1994. (page 1-19)
Throughout history, there have been many human beings whom have been seen as either a hero or a villain. In their childhood, these people must had obstacles that were in their way, causing each individual to either work harder or give up. People, however; must understand that each individual has a potential in achieving their goals, but if one is mistreated or deceived due to jealousy, resentment, hatred, or ambition, it can lead to many catastrophic events. People who have pride and arrogance do not want to have equals, rather they want to see their victims suffer. These people have no difficulty in achieving their goals due to the fact that their victims have too innocent a nature to suspect the nefarious motives of their enemies. In this tragedy, Othello, Shakespeare has created a villain who behaves in this manner. Iago’s hatred, method of revenge, and vengeful hatred are the reasons of the lives lost in this play and the reasons that lead to Iago’s downfall.