Perhaps the most interesting and exotic character in the tragic play “Othello,” by William Shakespeare, is “Honest” Iago. 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 the main driving force in this play, pushing Othello and everyone else towards their tragic end.Iago is not your ordinary villain. The role he plays is rather unique and complex, far from what one might expect. Iago is smart. He is an expert judge of people and their characters and uses this to his advantage. For example, he knows Roderigo is in love with Desdemona and figures that he would do anything to have her as his own. Iago says about Roderigo, “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.” [Act I, Scene III, Line 355] By playing on his hopes, Iago is able to swindle money and jewels from Roderigo, making himself a substantial profit, while using Roderigo to forward his other goals. He also thinks quick on his feet and is able to improvise whenever something unexpected occurs. When Cassio takes hold of Desdemona’s hand before the arrival of the Moor Othello, Iago says, “With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.” [Act II, Scene I, Line 163] His cunning and craftiness make him a truly dastardly villain indeed.Being as smart as he is, Iago is quick to recognize the advantages of trust and uses it as a tool to forward his purposes. Throughout the story he is commonly known as, and commonly called, “Honest Iago.” He even says of himself, “I am an honest man….” [Act II, Scene III, Line 245] Trust is a very powerful emotion that is easily abused. Othello, “holds [him] well;/The better shall [Iago's] purpose work on him.” [pg. 1244, Line 362] Iago is a master of abuse in this case turning people’s trust in him into tools to forward his own goals. His “med’cine works! Thus credulous fools are caught….” [pg. 1284, Line 44] Iago slowly poisons people’s thoughts, creating ideas in their heads without implicating himself. “And what’s he then that says I play the villain, when this advice is free I give, and honest,” [Act II, Scene III, Line 299] says Iago, the master of deception. And thus, people rarely stop to consider the possibility that old Iago could be deceiving them or manipulating them, after all, he is “Honest Iago.”Iago makes a fool out of Roderigo. In fact, the play starts out with Iago having already taken advantage of him. Roderigo remarks, “That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine.” [Act I, Scene I, Line 2] Throughout the play, Iago leads Roderigo by the collar professing that he “hate(s) the Moor” [Act I, Scene III, Line 344] and telling Roderigo to “make money” [Act I, Scene III, Line 339] so that he can give gifts to Desdemona to win her over. During the whole play however, Iago is just taking those gifts that Roderigo intends for Desdemona and keeps them for himself. Roderigo eventually starts to question Iago’s honesty, saying “I think it is scurvy, and begin to find myself fopped in it.” [Act IV, Scene II, Line 189] When faced with this accusation, Iago simply offers that killing Cassio will aid his cause and Roderigo blindly falls for it, hook, line, and sinker. “I have no great devotion to the deed, and yet he has given me satisfying reason,” [Act V, Scene I, Line 8] says the fool Roderigo. And with this deed, Roderigo is lead to his death by the hands of none other than, “Honest Iago.”Cassio, like Roderigo, follows Iago blindly, thinking the whole time that Iago is trying to help him. And during this whole time, Iago is planning the demise of Cassio, his supposed friend. On the night of Cassio’s watch, Iago convinces him to take another drink, knowing very well that it will make him very drunk. Cassio just follows along, though he says, “I’ll do’t, but it dislikes me.” [Act II, Scene III, Line 37] Iago is able to make him defy his own reasoning to take another drink! Crafty, is this Iago. When Roderigo follows through with the plan Iago has set on him, Cassio is made to look like an irresponsible fool, resulting in his termination as lieutenant. After this incident, Iago sets another of his plans in motion by telling Cassio to beg Desdemona to help his cause, saying, “she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested.” [Act II, Scene III, Line 287] And thus, Cassio is set on a dark path which leads to trouble and mischief. Yet, Cassio follows it blindly telling Iago, “You advise me well.” [Act II, Scene III, Line 292] With this, Cassio is eventually led into a trap where Roderigo maims him, and all that time, Iago – his friend – is behind it all.Lowly Iago, is capable of anything – not even Othello is safe from this villain. Othello holds Iago to be his close friend and advisor. He believes Iago to be a person, “of exceeding honesty, [who] knows all qualities, with learned spirit of human dealings.” [Act III, Scene III, Line 257] Yes, he does know all about human dealings, but no he is not honest. He uses the trust Othello puts in him to turn Othello eventually into a jealous man, looking everywhere.
Iago In Shakespeares Othello Essay Research Paper
Othello Tragedy Essay, Research Paper Dustin Mills English 102 Dr. Elisabeth Sachs Othello Essay “Honest” Iago One of the most interesting and exotic characters in the tragic play ” Othello”, by William Shakespeare, is “honest” Iago. At first Iago seems to be motiveless. However, the motivation behind his actions lie more in Iago’s quest for personal gain, as opposed to just being evil for evil’s sake.
’s Manipulation Essay, Research Paper Iago is the master of deception and no one cares to notice it because he is known to them as honest Iago. “Good night honest Iago” (Shakespeare 2.3.325). He uses his trust that everyone has for him against them to plant ideas in their heads. He will do anything to get what he wants and he does not care who he hurts as long as he gets what he wants.
Othello Act Iv Essay, Research Paper Othello Journal Act IV In Act IV of Othello, by WIlliam Shakespeare, Iago continues his torture of Othello. Iago torments Othello until Othello pratically faints. He keeps pushing
Othello Essay, Research Paper Iago was a very influencel character in the play, also very cunning. he worked on the emotiotion of just about every characther. some were cassio, othello, and rodrigo.
Reputation In Othello Essay, Research Paper Reputation plays a big role in the play Othello written by Shakespeare. Iago uses his reputation as an honest man to deceive Othello and everyone else. Othello’s reputation also plays a big role throughout the play. Cassio’s changing reputation has a big part in the outcome of the play as well.
’s Most Tragic Play Essay, Research Paper Othello: Shakespeare’s Most Tragic Play William Shakespeare have written many plays. His most tragic play is Othello.
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His Evil Acts? Essay, Research Paper “evil: violating or inconsistent with the moral law…harmful…the devil, Satan.” . Does Iago fit this description, thus proving he is purely evil in his actions? Alternatively, does he have substantial motivation? In this essay I will discuss his motives and actions and come to my conclusion.
Honest Iago Essay, Research Paper In the play Othello, written by Shakespeare, the most interesting and complex character is Iago. All of the other characters in the play know him as Honest Iago, but from a reader s standpoint that is clearly not the best nickname for him. He has a unique gift to read others character and personality.
Othello Play Essay, Research Paper The four main characters in the play Othello represent four different character traits of manhood: Roderigo, the failure; Othello, the hero, yet the insane
, Research Paper The Manipulation of Othello A tragic fault is a character trait which causes the action of a tragic hero or character. Iago manipulates Othello and Cassio by using their character traits and flaws
Othello Characters Essay, Research Paper Othello: This is main character in the play. He is a Moorish General and head of the army of Venice. He is a warrior, honest, and loves his new wife, Desdemona
HUM 125 Response Paper Othello was confronted with many betrayals that lead him in killing his beautiful wife, Desdemona. When though Othello was a great warrior as well as a person of wisdom, but even his strength or his wisdom could not stop him from felling into the hands of a villain. The hands he fell into were Iago’s.
Iago Essay, Research Paper Iago is a fascinating character in the play Othello. He seems to be the main character as everything seems to evolve around him, he makes
Othello Essay, Research Paper The play Othello was written be William Shakespeare in the latter years of Shakespeare?s career. Shakespeare composed, revised, and acted in many theatrical performances throughout his life, he also owned the Globe theater where many of his works were performed. The work Othello was based on a story by Giraldi Cinthios, Tale of a Moor, which was a mellow drama about a moor and his doubts about his wife?s fidelity.
Othello Essay, Research Paper Othello Essay In the play Othello, the very evil and conniving character Iago deceives the main characters. He prays mostly on the main character Othello. Othello is a black general who is married to a white woman named Desdemona. In the beginning of the play Othello promotes a man named Cassio to be his right hand man in his army.
Othello Essay, Research Paper In the play, Othello, by Shakespeare, villainous character, Iago, schemes to bring Othello s happiness to an end. Iago conspires to have Othello turn against his comrade, Cassio, and try to kill him for his misdeeds against Desdamona. Iago arises Othello s feelings and emotions towards Desdamona by feeding on Othello s great pride in Desdamona s devotion to Othello.
Characteristics Of Othello Essay, Research Paper When discussing the characteristics of Othello one finds he has more than one side. Othello is a tragic hero in this drama. Also, he portrays a
Othello 2 Essay, Research Paper There are many literary works that contain villains who play an essential role in the development of the work as a whole. However, I believe that the ultimate villain of this kind is Iago in Shakespeare s play, Othello. Through manipulation and scheming, he beguiles the other characters of the novel.
Honest Iago Essay, Research Paper Honest Iago In William Shakespeare’s Othello, despicable Iago, the ultimate villain, uses his intelligence and resourcefulness to exact his vengeance. By creating chaos and causing people to doubt each other Iago rises to power. In the deaths he causes as he achieves his revenge, he provides a shocking representation of absolute evil and a metaphor a out human nature.Iago’s extreme villainy, originally fueled by his jealousy of Cassio’s position, bloomed into a much greater passion.
Othello Character Flaw Essay, Research Paper Yes, I fully agree that you must be careful of outward appearances. Appearances can be very deceiving, as we saw in the play Othello. Othello did not know that Iago had a hidden agenda, had Othello known that Iago was untruthful, this Shakespearean tragedy would not of happened.
Othello 4 Essay, Research Paper Othello isn t a play about racism as much as it is a play about jealosy, conflicting values, and the power of suggestion. Some racism is displayed within the play, but that is simply a reflection of how most minorities were treated in the time period when the population in Europe was predominantly of white skin color.
Othello Summary Essay, Research Paper Plot Summary Iago is passed over for a promotion by his commander, Othello, a Moor and a general in the service of Venice, and vows revenge. Othello has just
Othello Essay, Research Paper Jealousy is a green-eyed monster. Jealousy can corrupt a person into a monster. In the play Othello, by William Shakespeare, the character Othello was corrupted by jealousy
’t Shakespeare’s Othello Called Iago Essay, Research Paper Should William Shakespeare’s Othello be called Iago? It is possibly his greatest tragedy, yet it has many problems, curiosities, and questions. That is one specific question that should definately be thought about. I believe Othello is a good name for the play.
, Research Paper Character Analysis of Iago in Shakespeare’s Othello In William Shakespeare’s “Othello”, the character Iago is, at least in my point of view, the main and most interesting character. Iago is in virtually every scene in the play, and has his hands in almost all doings within the play. Iago is truly one of the greatest villans in literature.
Othello: Act 5 Analysis Essay, Research Paper Othello: Act 5 Analysis Iago’s intelligence causes the self destruction of Othello. He appears to be the most intelligent person in the play, Othello, by the way he acts and
, Research Paper The Theme of Revenge in Othello Revenge is a constant theme throughout the play Othello. It is portrayed through the character Iago. Iago is determined to destroy Othello and his loved ones. This retribution is a
– Iago Essay, Research Paper In act one of Othello, Shakespeare?s character, Iago, shows how deceitful and disloyal people can be. Iago?s disloyalty towards Othello and Cassio is portrayed through the lies
Othello Essay, Research Paper Othello In Othello, we encounter Iago, one of Shakespeare?s most evil characters. Iago is an officer in Othello’s army and is jealous of Cassio’s promotion to Lieutenant. Through deception and appearance, we see many lies and clever schemes unfold. The astonishing thing about Iago is that he seems to make up his malicious schemes as he goes along without any planning.
Shakespere Essay, Research Paper In all of Shakespeare?s great novels there are many experiences, tragic or otherwise that one can learn from. Shakespeare?s novel Othello is not an exception this rule. Throughout Othello there are many examples of mistakes made by the characters that a reader can learn from.
In his book, Shakespearean Tragedy, A.C. Bradley discusses at length the many great works of William Shakespeare. One such work is that of Othello. The story
Jealousy In Othello Essay, Research Paper Jealousy in Othello In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago plots Othello’s destruction when he is passed over for a promotion. Iago tells Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him and provides
Othello Essay, Research Paper OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE Othello is a Moorish nobleman and soldier of fortune, inclined into the vale of years. Now in the service of the Venetian State as a general against the Turks. Othello is said to be ? great of heart,? ?honorable and valiant,? ?of a free open nature, that thinks men honest that but seem to be so,? and ? thus easy victim to the ?green eyed monster??JEALOUSY.? At the beginning of the play, Othello appears as a noble, generous, composed man.
Reality Vs Illusion Essay, Research Paper REALITY ILLUSION Michael Cioffi 03/06/1997 Mrs. Risi ENG 4AO Outline I. Introduction A. Introduce topic 1. Reality and illusion