Othello. of convincing motivation for his actions. In spite of his elevated status, he is nevertheless easy prey to insecurities because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his race. Emilia and know that he can deflect her questions; he is able to From the start of Shakespeare's Othello, Iago makes it very clear that he holds no love for the title character. Iago is the play's main antagonist, and Othello's standard-bearer. The protagonist of Othello is Othello himself. At the beginning of the play, Othello occupies a complex position within Venetian society. skill. Othello. Iago's character and his techniques of illicit manipulation hav freebooksummary.com © 2016 - 2021 All Rights Reserved. Iago is a manipulative and intricate character who can be interpreted in several ways. If we agree that Iago has no real motives for hurting Othello, we could also argue that Iago's character is a kind of "Vice" figure. In The Return of Jafar, Jafar mentioned that he purchased Iago in the bazaar at some point in his life. Ed. In Iago, Shakespeare shows us a character … Othello is the tragic protagonist of the story. ” That is his last dialogue in the play. After all, Hamlet had no proof that Claudius killed his father, and many argue that Hamlet’s insanity invented the ghost that told him of the murder. Iago was able to alter Othello's views on his own wife with the help from Rodrigo. to express his true motivation—makes his actions all the more terrifying. Even Cassio’s rank of lieutenant is taken and presented to Iago in Act I due to his treachery. Some readers have suggested that Iago is very popular among the characters in the play. While Othello’s past and present are somewhat mythical and mysterious, an audience gets to delve into Iago’s, making him the principal character. The play revolves around his corruption by Iago and his descent into a dangerous jealousy. A possible explanation is Iago’s nature of robbery. Made a Slave: In Othello… No. Iago has very few redeeming qualities. Shakespeare did not write such accidents. On top of that, the positions of hero and villain are irrelevant in the face of who presents the story to a reader or audience, as the protagonist. Iago demands the audience's complicity we cannot help being fascinated by him In Shakespeare's Othello, the character of Iago is constructed to demand the audience's complicity despite the corrupt nature of his actions. It cannot be an accident that he is the most detailed and human character in Othello. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. While this change is speculation, there is another alteration to Iago through the course of the play. He seems almost to wink at the audience as he revels in his own Shakespeare shifts the action from Venice to Cyprus. As previously stated, Iago claims an impressive battle record, “At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds Christian and heathen,” and he was rejected for promotion in favor of Cassio, who allegedly “…never set a squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows more than a spinster. Fatal Flaw: His jealousy. This happened through the tragic events of manipulation from Iago. Iago hates Othello and devises a plan to destroy him by making him believe that his wife is having an affair with his lieutenant, Michael Cassio. claims to be angry at Othello for having passed him over for the Iago is the play's main antagonist, and Othello's standard-bearer. in the final scene, when Iago kills his own wife (V.ii.231–242). None of these claims seems to adequately explain Iago’s deep hatred These soliloquies show the audience the inner workings of Iago’s twisted mind, and not Othello’s. Hamlet’s death marked the end of the story, as did Lear’s and Macbeth’s. Iago’s murder of Emilia could also stem from the general Iago is able to take the handkerchief from Even Othello’s greatest enemy, Iago, confesses in act I, scene i, “Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago,” or rather, he would not want to be Iago if he could be a man like Othello. Iago is portrayed by Shakespeare as a racist character, and since there is only one coloured man, his racism is hence focused with full force onto Othello. What you know, you know. So, a "Vice" figure is stock character from medieval morality plays like "Everyman." All this makes Iago possibly the most interesting character of the play, which one would think unlikely since Othello is the hero, and Iago is the villain. In \"Fowl Weather\", he mentions that he once lived in the rainforest, but did not enjoy its unpredictable weather, prompting him to move to the desert. Protagonist Character Role Analysis Othello. Iago is a manipulative villain who serves as an antagonist, or an enemy to the protagonist, and develops a plan to destroy the lives of Cassio, Othello and Desdemona.Iago seems to … That she loves him, ’tis apt and of great credit,” which marks Iago as crazy enough to believe his own lies. Shakespeare may have entitled the play The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice to show that the tragedy belongs to Othello, even though the control of the play is stolen by Iago. Racial and female stereotypes also dominate. Almost a suicide as profound as Othello’s or Oedipus, Iago cuts his only somewhat admirable trait from society and withdraws inward. Othello still holds Iago to be his closest friend. Shakespeare creates Othello’s main objective to stay true to who he is; a person that we are meant to infer is filled with duty, honor, trust, respect, nobility, and the desire to do the right thing. This repetition is like a mantra for Iago, as if to convince himself habitually that Othello is his enemy, and to justify his actions. Iago’s Strategic Acts of Character Control W. H. Auden when said, “There is more than fulfills the eye”, recommending that there may be a surprise or deeper meaning behind a person’s preliminary look. If Iago is considered the protagonist of Othello, then which character would be considered the antagonist? Luckily, FreeBookSummary offers study guides on over 1000 top books from students’ curricula! Part of what makes Iago such a chilling antagonist is his lack of clear motivation for tormenting Othello. Also, these tragic protagonists always died on-stage or were specifically depicted in death. ” The tragedy, and the general development of the play, comes solely from Iago’s motivations and actions, evil as they may be. Is Iago the protagonist of Othello? Othello deemed to be written in 1603 revolves around four main characters; Iago Othello, Desdemona wife to a Moorish general, Cassio and the general. the desires of those around him that makes him both a powerful and Othello Essay: Iago’s Acts of Character Control. Hence, Othello is the protagonist, Iago the antagonist. Othello, however, is an anomaly. As his name suggests, he has a large ego. This is easy to believe with regards to Iago as the protagonist, because there is such rich detail surrounding him, and most of the play is devoted to his twisted mind. position of lieutenant (I.i. At the that says I play the villain,” and know that it will laugh as though Cassio obstructs Iago in his goals, no doubt, but Othello evokes the sinister nature of Iago’s revenge and drives him to commit terrible acts. In William Shakespeare Othello, Iago is the well-liked, trusted, and brave ensign of the great Venetian general Othello, or so it … There are various motives that may have contributed to Iago’s distaste for the protagonist Othello. He decides, “That Cassio loves her (Desdemona), I do well believe ‘t. The antagonist in the play is Iago. Iago is a character in Shakespeare’s play, Othello.He is a senior officer in the Venetian army under the command of its general, Othello. Protagonists are not necessarily the heroic or inherently good characters in a play’s plot. of Othello, and Iago’s lack of motivation—or his inability or unwillingness Iago is clearly a sociopath, as he unscrupulously betrays his commander Othello, his wife Emilia, and his friend and patsy, Roderigo. This text is NOT unique. Othello is the tragic protagonist of the story. You can't get much more antagonistic than Iago is towards Othello. What's interesting is that we spend more time with the villain than the protagonist, which is one of the more unique qualities of Othello. In Iago, Shakespeare shows us a … These motivations for Iago’s villainy are the first plot points that are revealed in Othello, and cast Iago as a victim before anyone else. You can view our. An obvious refutation of Iago as the protagonist stems from the most obvious of places: with the other examples of Shakespearean tragedy, Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth are all named for the protagonists that give insightful monologues that reveal their inner turmoil. WORKS CITEDShakespeare, William. He has the ability to charm and convince people of his loyalty and honesty–“Honest Iago,” according to Othello–but the audience is immediately introduced to his vitriol and desire for revenge, despite his lack of proved reason. Iago also proceeds to manipulate Brabantio, a Venetian senator, a well-known citizen, and Desdemona’s father. If his experiences in battle were as explicit as he claims, then his psychosis may be a result of post-traumatic stress. Jealous – Over time, Othello starts to show his jealousy and how reckless he really is. He states, “Demand me nothing. The changes in Iago are clearly Othello’s doing, as well. Likewise, Othello would not have grown paranoid and murdered Desdemona without continuous prompt by Iago’s advice. Iago has seven soliloquies of ten lines or longer (plus an additional handful of asides); Othello, on the other hand, has only three (including the “put out the light” speech in the final scene over what he assumes [and probably] is Desdemona’s sleeping body). Othello and others in the play constantly refer to him as "honest Iago." This is something that Iago wants done but does not need to do himself. In Othello, there are clues before his first entrance in Act I, scene ii, that give the audience the impression that Othello is the play's protagonist -- the title of the play for one. This never ends, even when killing Roderigo, but eventually Iago sees his plan played out in full with the deaths of Othello, Desdemona, and even Emilia. (2.1.191–93) Setting the scene. Iago Motives In Othello 1060 Words | 5 Pages. Shakespeare is universally revered for his characterization of flawed and psychologically unstable protagonists. Both are preyed upon and fall victim to Iago’s devices, as well. With these attributes, the clearer protagonist in Othello is the villainous Iago. Though the Although everyone, including Othello, believes that Iago is a loyal and devoted friend, Iago understands the strategic advantage that false friendship gives him. He is valued for his loyalty and there is a consensus that he is very honest and straightforward and, in fact, he is repeatedly greeted as ‘honest Iago,’ and spoken of with the same language. In Shakespeare’s tragedies, the protagonist often gives epitaphs or soliloquies when on-stage alone, and makes lasting changes on other characters. In Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello, Iago is an evil character. Iago (/ i ˈ ɑː ɡ oʊ /) is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Othello (c. 1601–1604). Iago is the antagonist of the play; in fact, his character is often cited as one of the clearest examples of an antagonist in all of literature. The role is thought to have been first played by Robert Armin, who typically played intelligent clown roles like Touchstone in As You Like It an Iago is a character in Shakespeare’s play, Othello. Iago is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Othello. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from Sparknotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Possibly the most heinous villain in Shakespeare, Iago is fascinating for his most terrible characteristic: his utter lack of convincing motivation for his actions. Iago is also the character who gives soliloquies to the audience, mapping the progression of the play and of his ill deeds, as if he were the narrator. Iago, the villain in Othello, is perhaps the most sadistic and consummately evil character in all English literature and his eventual downfall illustrates the triumph of love over hate, a key theme in many of Shakespeare’s plays.Iago, an ensign serving under Othello, the Moorish commander of the armed forces of Venice, is undoubtedly the most interesting and perplexing character in Othello. Antagonist Character Role Analysis Iago. Also, he wants to bring down every other character until he … Yes, but barely; Othello has 274 speeches, two more than Iago (the next most number of speeches is Desdemona with 165). In the first scene, he claims to be angry at Othello for having passed him over for the position of lieutenant (I.i. Othello As the play’s title indicates, Othello is the protagonist. Like many Venetian men of the time period, Brabantio’s reputation is the upholder of his honor. He has risen through the ranks in the army by merit and achievement, and Othello, whose military judgment is excellent, has taken him as ancient (captain) because of his qualities. He has risen through the ranks in the army by merit and achievement, and Othello, whose military judgment is excellent, has taken him as ancient (captain) because of his qualities. Possibly the most heinous villain in Shakespeare, Iago However, he is one of the most dangerous examples of evil. G. Blakemore Evans. His role is one of Othello's outwardly loyal courtier and friend, while at the same time manipulating his friends and master into doing his bidding, eventually persuading Othello to believe that his wife, Desdemona, has been having an affair, resulting in Othello killing her in a jealous rage. Othello from enjoying marital happiness, and he expresses his love The play revolves around his corruption by Iago and his descent into a dangerous jealousy. This material is available only on Freebooksummary, We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. the trait that is most lethal to Othello: trust. Why is Iago instead carried off after being granted the final word on his fate? is fascinating for his most terrible characteristic: his utter lack hatred of women that he displays. However, it has been hinted at a few times. for the general. He is the evil one, and the character initiating all of the problems. This does not detract from his responsibilities of the plot’s progression, however. Don't plagiarize, get content from our essay writers! Roderigo, even Emilia—at the slightest provocation and enjoys the Iago is often funny, especially in his scenes with the From the very beginning, Iago speaks at great length about his hatred, his revenge, and his brilliantly orchestrated scheme. Clearly, Othello himself would be the primary candidate, but Cassio would also serve as a suitable antagonist to Iago. When Iago wants to set up the appearance of inappropriate behavior between Cassio and Desdemona, he decides that “my wife must move for Cassio to her mistress” (2.3.) Hamlet is a crazed, murdering prince, Lear is narcissistic, senile, and a verbally abusive father, and Macbeth is a murderous traitor to his king and country. Otherwise he would have been dismissed, as Cassio was for a drunken misunderstanding. Iago makes him insecure from the mere character of Cassio. Othello deemed to be written in 1603 revolves around four main characters; Iago Othello, Desdemona wife to a Moorish general, Cassio and the general. No one has time to read them all, but it’s important to go over them at least briefly. 7–32 ). Iago as the Hero of Othello A Shakespearean play always includes a typical villain character. With these attributes, the clearer protagonist in Othello is the villainous Iago. His apparent madness presents some sympathy for Iago, as well. What's interesting is that we spend more time with the villain than the protagonist, which is one of the more unique qualities of Othello. His insanity could also be explained due to the extensive war record that he claims in Act I, Scene i. Othello is so affected by Iago efforts and his ability to manipulate that all these thoughts soon abandon Othello’s mind. It is almost unanimously believed that Othello had never bedded Iago’s wife, Emilia, but that is not relevant. Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that benefits him and moves him closer toward his goals. he is with Roderigo, but the interactions between the two also reveal While he is flawed by his paranoia and pride, Othello is only unstable and destructive after intricate deception. In Act 2, Scene 1 of Othello, Iago formulates his plan to drive Othello mad. The essay is a critical examination of the character of Iago in the play Othello written by Shakespeare. In fact, many truths that society clings to are based on individual points of view, and Othello is a play that is based, in large part, on Iago’s perceptions and motivations. with his wife, Emilia: “It is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets and shortly thereafter Emilia facilitates a meeting between Desdemona and Cassio, and encourages her mistress to advocate on behalf of Cassio. Othello and others in the play constantly refer to him as "honest Iago." A storm has dispersed the Venetian fleet so that Cassio arrives first, anxious for Othello's safety. The Character of Iago in Shakespeare’s Othello The antagonist in Shakespeare’s Othello is a demi-devil; unequalled in malice, proficient at con and dexterous at manipulation. Othello's uncontrollable and empowering jealousy transformed him into a savage and irrational character. Othello. 7–32). The average student has to read dozens of books per year. Othello is a brave and competent soldier of advanced years and Moorish background in the service of the Venetian Republic.He elopes with Desdemona, the beautiful daughter of a respected Venetian senator.After being deployed to Cyprus, Othello is manipulated by his Ancient (pronounced Ensign) Iago into believing Desdemona is an adulteress. Perhaps the most interesting and exotic character in the tragic play “Othello,” by William Shakespeare, is “Honest” Iago. With any idea about Shakespeare’s plays, no matter how convoluted or over-reaching, it is probable that Shakespeare crafted the idea first. Indeed, he seems maddeningly perfect to his adversaries. Iago's past is mostly shrouded in mystery. It is Iago’s talent for understanding and manipulating Iago says this line to Roderigo at the start of the play as he explains that he secretly hates Othello and is plotting against him. Though there is little sympathy made for him, and his arrangement as the diabolical villain is cemented in place, empathy can be achieved for Iago if his viewpoint is thoroughly explored, as it is. He is boisterous, egotistical, sometimes witty, and all too eager to seek revenge. These unfavorable and evil attributes serve Shakespeare’s main characters by presenting them as realistically written men, and there always seems a degree, however small, of sympathy associated with their respective downfalls and tragedies. Iago’s true, underlying motive for persecuting Othello is his homosexual love Eventually, Iago commits the supreme theft of life by killing defenseless Roderigo, and then his own wife. The Riverside Shakespeare. ... Iago Othello… He is a senior officer in the Venetian army under the command of its general, Othello. even with Othello “wife for wife” (II.i.286). From this time forth I never will speak word. Probably, yes! Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that benefits him and moves him closer toward his goals. This series of events would be seen as injustice by any man in Iago’s position. That is Iago. The Moor commander is constantly respected by Venetian senators, soldiers, and ladies alike, even after murdering his wife and committing suicide. Iago is very popular among the characters in the play. Perhaps the most interesting and exotic character in the tragic play “Othello,” by William Shakespeare, is “Honest” Iago. Iago is the play's main antagonist, and Othello's standard-bearer.He is the husband of Emilia, who is in turn the attendant of Othello's wife Desdemona.Iago hates Othello and devises a plan to destroy him by making him believe that his wife is having an affair with his lieutenant, Michael Cassio. If Iago is in fact the protagonist, why is his death not the resolution of the play? Iago mentions this suspicion again at the end of Act II, scene i, Rather, a protagonist is the principal character, propelling and leading the plot’s progression. In literature there is always a direct link between characterization and theme development. Iago refers to Othello not by his name but as 'the Moor', calling him 'the devil' (2.1.216) and 'defective' (2.1.220), a racist portrayal which makes Desdemona's unfaithfulness more believable to Roderigo. Iago actively works to thwart Othello by convincing Othello that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him, knowing that this belief will torment Othello. Cassio is shown racially as someone more refined and suited to the Florentine aura where Othello is treated as an “Other” by Iago, Roderigo and Brabantio. While in a revenge tragedy Iago would be the main character, Othello is a classical tragedy rather than a revenge tragedy. Iago is clearly a sociopath, as he unscrupulously betrays his commander Othello, his wife Emilia, and his friend and patsy, Roderigo. Iago is a major character in William Shakespeare's 1607 play Othello. In the final scene, Othello even cites Iago’s word as his reason for murder to Emilia, rather than citing the physical evidence of the handkerchief, “Cassio did top her, ask thy husband else…Thy husband knew it all. Every time Iago speaks of Othello, he repeats, “I hate the Moor,” in every act. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1974. Crazy Jealous Guy: It's his Fatal Flaw. Iago says this line to Roderigo at the start of the play as he explains that he secretly hates Othello and is plotting against him. Othello. How about getting full access immediately? a streak of cowardice in Iago—a cowardice that becomes manifest In Act , Scene i, the soliloquy reveals that Iago is not merely an evil man, but possibly a good man who has become murderously insane with jealousy.
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