Iago may be one of the most despicable characters ever to be penned by William Shakespeare. Where other villains, such as the Hamlet’s uncle or Tybalt are readily identifiable as the antagonist by the central characters, Iago, in Sheakspeare’s Othello, remains unidentified by the titular character until it is far too late. What is more, the chanter of Iago is conceivable as a real person. Most people can think of at least one highly manipulative and underhanded person in their life. Though it can be agreed that he desires Othello’s downfall, his motives are ambiguous. This brings to question, what it was that brought Iago’s evil upon Othello? Early in the play Iago is walking with his wealthy patron, Rodrigo, when he gives the reason for
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He says to himself:
I hate the Moor:
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
He 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. He holds me well,
The better shall my purpose work on him. (572)
That would certainly be reason to hate Othello, but that does not seem like in character for the Moore. Othello seems rather preoccupied with Desdemona, in the beginning with passionate love and at the end with paranoid suspicion. Not exactly the behavior of someone who was carrying on a side relationship. Additionally, Othello interacts with Emilia numerous times, and never in a manner that would suggest there was a past between the two. Emilia also attempts to reassure Othello of Desdemona’s fealty. Had they been previously been involved, this probably would not have been very appropriate, considering that she would, in turn, not have been faithful to her …show more content…
He says things such as, “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram / Is tupping your white ewe,” and, “have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse; / you 'll have your nephews neigh to you; you 'll have / coursers for cousins and gennets for germans,” (558). However, most of what he says is in order to incite others against Othello. Later, he uses Othello’s race to make Othello himself think there is something wrong with Desdemona:
Ay, there 's the point: as—to be bold with you—
Not to affect many proposed matches
Of her own clime, complexion, and degree,
Whereto we see in all things nature tends—
Foh! one may smell in such a will most rank,
Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural.
But pardon me; I do not in position
Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear
Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
May fall to match you with her country forms
And happily repent. (230)
Iago is suggesting there is something fundamentally wrong with Desdemona to want to marry a Moore such as Othello. He is so persuasive as to convince Othello himself. However, Iago only seems to use racism when there is some benefit to him, suggesting he does not really
He says to himself:
I hate the Moor:
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
He 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. He holds me well,
The better shall my purpose work on him. (572)
That would certainly be reason to hate Othello, but that does not seem like in character for the Moore. Othello seems rather preoccupied with Desdemona, in the beginning with passionate love and at the end with paranoid suspicion. Not exactly the behavior of someone who was carrying on a side relationship. Additionally, Othello interacts with Emilia numerous times, and never in a manner that would suggest there was a past between the two. Emilia also attempts to reassure Othello of Desdemona’s fealty. Had they been previously been involved, this probably would not have been very appropriate, considering that she would, in turn, not have been faithful to her …show more content…
He says things such as, “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram / Is tupping your white ewe,” and, “have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse; / you 'll have your nephews neigh to you; you 'll have / coursers for cousins and gennets for germans,” (558). However, most of what he says is in order to incite others against Othello. Later, he uses Othello’s race to make Othello himself think there is something wrong with Desdemona:
Ay, there 's the point: as—to be bold with you—
Not to affect many proposed matches
Of her own clime, complexion, and degree,
Whereto we see in all things nature tends—
Foh! one may smell in such a will most rank,
Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural.
But pardon me; I do not in position
Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear
Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
May fall to match you with her country forms
And happily repent. (230)
Iago is suggesting there is something fundamentally wrong with Desdemona to want to marry a Moore such as Othello. He is so persuasive as to convince Othello himself. However, Iago only seems to use racism when there is some benefit to him, suggesting he does not really