William Hazlitt stated “It has been said that tragedy purifies the affections by terror and pity. That is, it substitutes imaginary sympathy for mere selfishness. It gives us a high and permanent interest, beyond ourselves, in humanity as such. It raises the great, the remote, and the possible to an equality with the real, the little and the near. It makes man a partaker with his kind. It subdues and softens the stubbornness of his will. It teaches him that there are and have been others like himself, by showing him as in a glass what they have felt, thought, and done. It opens the chambers of the human heart. It leaves nothing indifferent to us that can affect our common nature. It excites our sensibility by exhibiting the passions wound up …show more content…
It could be said, however, that they are similar because of their fallibility. Iago is overcome with his desire for revenge to such an extent that he puts it into action. Othello's love and possessiveness of Desdemona take over him until he eventually would rather kill her than allow anyone else to have her. In this way, despite their contrasts, Iago and Othello both represent the extremity of the same thing - human emotion. Iago is a representative of the very basic elements of humanity. He uses crude language. He swears. Iago is extremely manipulative. Iago is a master at manipulation. Through his mere words, he plants seeds of doubt in Othello. Truly, Iago is subtle in his accusation as he merely suggests that Cassio may be having an affair with Desdemona. No doubt, Iago manipulates the situation to convince Othello that his wife is unfaithful with Cassio. When Cassio and Desdemona are merely talking, Iago leads Othello to the scene. As Othello views the scene, Iago plants seeds of doubt and jealousy in Othello. He uses hesitation as he speaks. This causes Othello to question what Iago is really saying. With Othello's insistence, Iago gives in and expresses his dislike of Cassio and Desdemona talking to one another: “Ha! I don’t like that. When Othello questions Iago in saying, "What did you say?" Iago begins scheming. Iago pretends to be hesitant in his accusations: Nothing, my lord. Artfully and cleverly, Iago is causing Othello to think that Cassio and his wife should not be talking.” When Cassio realizes that Othello is coming, he quickly leaves the scene. Iago uses this moment to make Othello think that Cassio is stealing away because he is guilty of having an intimate talk with Othello's wife. Iago comments about Cassio quickly fleeing from the scene: I cannot believe that he would steal away so guiltily, seeing you coming. Later on, Iago uses Cassio's genuine support of
Shakespeare is universally revered for his characterization of flawed and psychologically unstable protagonists. 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. 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. Othello, however, is an anomaly.
"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" is a quote that very well describes how two-face Iago really is. In William Shakespeare's play, Othello, Iago's hatred toward the Moor, Othello, leads him to devise a plan against him. As a result, Othello goes from truly loving his wife to hating her with a passion. Othello's hatred and anger proves fatal for Desdemona, Emilia, Roderigo, and Othello, himself. Iago effectively manipulates Othello, Roderigo, and Cassio by; presenting himself as an honest individual to Othello, lying to Roderigo about getting him married to Desdemona and helping Cassio with his problem to obtain the lieutenant position from him.
8ahlmeier 5characters so well, Iago uses ethos to effectively ;udge which method of persuasion to use based on a character’s 0ualities, flaws, motives, and desires, and Iago’s relationship to him or her.Iago easily evokes "assio’s emotions through pathos. #e recogni%es the honorable and valiant virtues "assio e2hibits and uses these virtues to fashion "assio into a pawn. Iago, knowing alcohol to be the counteragent of "assio’s virtues, encourages the sport of drinking to the point where "assio rela2es his conduct and allows his emotions to overcome him, breaking out in a fight which causes him to forfeit his position as officer !II.iii.465-$. "assio has a strong desire for redemption and reinstallation, and Iago suggests "assio beseech
Iago is not the same when he is with Othello but Iago’s character totally changes when he is not with Othello. When Iago finds out that Othello appointed Cassio as his lieutenant, Iago is extremely envious and he plots a plan against Othello by deceiving the trust that they both carry. “I’ll put this pestilence into his ear.” (II.iii.334). This refers to Iago plotting to say his lies to Othello which demonstrates Iago being overwhelmed by jealousy. Iago puts all the falsehood into the general’s ear which becomes easier for him to do as Othello puts his full trust on the rival. Iago is a harsh and a coldblooded man that wants revenge through his master by plotting an atrocious plan and putting all falsehood into his ear just to obtain the higher position.
A villain is defined as an evil character in a novel, movie, play, or other story, especially one who is the main enemy of the hero according to Encarta Dictionary. In "Othello," Iago fits this definition perfectly though Othello does not recognize that Iago is his enemy until the end of the story. Iago is the evil-minded, backstabbing character in this dramatic story. He demonstrates this villainy act all through out the story beginning with being angry with Othello for not appointing him as lieutenant, his revenge on cassio for taking his place as lieutenant, and setting up Desdemona to look like she is cheating on Othello. His machinations are so effective because they flow consistently. From the very start, Iago's manipulations
Today was another successful day for taking down Othello. Everything is going well as I planned. At the beginning, Cassio was finding Desdemona for help, but he ran away when he see Othello. His decision gave me a chance to make Othello think that Desdemona was cheating on him. I did not have enough proof to claim that Cassio was having a relationship with Desdemona. However my fool wife found Othello’s handkerchief, and I put it in Cassio’s house. It created me a perfect evidence to show the gullible Moor. Now the Moor lost his patient. More helpful thing is that Desdemona had a lot of passionate to protect Cassio. He really thought that his wife already cheated on him. In the end, I am so happy that Othello gave him the
Throughout Othello, Iago is the most prominent and perplexing villian in Shakespearean history. His redeeming qualies enables him to allure the characters such as Roderigo, Cassio and Othello through his morality. As an audience we are introduced to his contempt and his hunger for revenge despite his lack of proof. Iago symbolizes evil and brutality. So what makes him a crucial character in the play. His understanding of manipulation and his brilliance makes him an important role in the play since he's willing to to climb up the stairs to get his general, who he hates.
Iago’s tendency to deceive and manipulate every character he meets in the play is decidedly Machiavellian. He is known as “honest Iago” – in actuality, he is aggressive, wants to hurt others. He convinces Othello that Desdemona is sleeping with Cassio and intends to marry him – later persuades him to smother her in their marital bed rather than poisoning her. He tells Cassio that Desdemona will help him get his job back. He also doesn’t tell his wife of his suspicions of infidelity. Iago’s use of language is indicative– he alters his speech patterns depending on his objectives in a conversation and who he is talking to (blank verse vs iambic pentameter). Othello is a “black ram” married to a “white ewe”, and is of a higher rank with more respect.
Throughout Othello, the character Iago was very jealous, deceiving and a manipulative man. He uses different individuals love and passions to please his own satisfactions and needs. Since Iago was known for being honest no one even noticed his manipulative ways. Sadly to say Iago knows that Othello will listen to him because he is his right hand man. So with ease, Iago gives Othello hints that he thinks Desdemona which is Othello wife and Cassio are more than just so called friends.
At first glance, Iago of Othello can appear to have little motivation for his destructive tendencies; however, when viewed through the lens of antisocial personality disorder, his incentive takes on a twisted internal logic. His all-consuming desire for revenge is not necessarily because of any outside influence by Othello himself, but rather the fact that Othello disrupts Iago’s conception of himself and is a pawn whom he can manipulate for pleasure. His arrogance and entitlement are also classic symptoms of antisocial personality disorder, as is his superficial charm, which allows him to enlist the assistance of Roderigo in his plot to destroy Othello’s marriage.
so neatly that it as if is he himself is the playwright. He has no
My thoughts on Iago is that he is underhand, and never satisfied unless there is some kind of chaos going on around him. I would describe Iago is as solder in the Army. He is hoping to get promoted to Lieutenant, then he would be right under Othello. Iago is married to Emilia who is Desdemona’s servant and Othello’s wife. Iago will do anything to get his way and what he wants even if he doesn’t deserve it. In the play he has many attempts to get his way because of him not getting the job that he feels that he has rightfully earned. Iago is very upset, but the reason isn’t as clear in why is he mad. Iago’s feels that his actions are justified in what he is doing by getting back at Othello because he didn’t get promoted.
What makes a good villain? What qualities make one villain stand out from another? Is it their demeanor, ruthlessness, or the methods that they employ to accomplish their tasks? In any case, a great villain must leave the reader with a respect for their methods and a question about their motives. In Shakespeare's Othello, there is one character in Iago that fulfills all of these qualifications. Iago is a wonderful villain because he gains other's trust, relentlessly takes advantage of his peers' flaws, and unapologetically causes the deaths of his counterparts in order to achieve his goals.
“I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets,'Has done my office. I know not if't be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety.” ( Shakespeare 3.329-433) This is a quote from the protagonist Iago. This quote shows use how much Iago dislikes Othello form not choosing him as his first in command. The Tragedy of Othello ,by William Shakespeare is a Tragedy written about how the main Character,Othello, is tricked into killing his Wife. Throughout each act and scene Iago will slowly drives Othello insane. In this analysis you will see what caused Iago to do this, how he accomplishes his task and, If it was his best plan.
Self-awareness is the “conscious knowledge of one 's own character, feelings, motives, and desires”(Merriam-Webster). Self-awareness is key when it comes to understanding ones’ self in relationship to ones actions and reality. Perspective, which is a personal point of view that comes from the self, is what shapes the reality that one interacts with. So it is the self, and one’s relationship with the self that truly determines and ones’ actions and view of the world. Don Quixote is an excellent example of how one’s perspective and self-awareness are important. In this story a man sets out on his own adventure to right the wrongs of the world. However, in spite of noble intentions, this “hero” ends up causing much more harm then needed because he is not self-aware and has a different perspective than everyone else. In the play Othello many characters have the same issue with perspective and self-awareness. Othello and Iago are the two main characters that allow their views on themselves to take control over their actions without their awareness. There is a tragic ending to this play and it was all because of differing perspectives and lack of self-awareness. The Bhagavad-Gita discusses the importance of the Self and how one must find ways to shape and understand the self for the better. Through these three pieces one can see and how perspective changes everything and the importance of the self with awareness to it.