Motives of Iago in Othello
In the play Othello by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) the role of the villain is fairly shaping to the story line. This villain is Iago, also called “honest” Iago. While being called “honest” Iago, Iago is anything but honest. Iago is a devious man, liar, manipulator, and psychopath. For these reasons Iago is perhaps the most complex and intriguing character in the entire play. After some troubling events it becomes Iago’s sole purpose to ruin and destroy Othello. Iago’s motives for destroying Othello are fairly unclear so it is narrowed down to three main ideas. The first is the fact that Othello chose Cassio over Iago for a lieutenant position, which he thought he rightly deserved. The second is Iago’s belief …show more content…
This was shown when Iago talks personally to audience. Iago’s rising anger increases when he comes to the thought that Emilia and Othello may be having an affair. This gives Iago a greater reason to destroy Othello for all that he’s worth. Iago says to the audience, “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse. For I mine own gained knowledge should profane If I would time expend with such a snipe But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets He’s 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. Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now, To get his place and to plume up my will In double knavery. How? How? Let’s see. After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear That he is too familiar with his wife. He hath a person and a smooth dispose To be suspected, framed to make women false. The Moor is of a free and open nature That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, And will as tenderly be led by th' nose As asses are. I have ’t. It is engendered! Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.” (act 1 scene 3, lines 426-447) This section roughly translates to, “That’s how I always do it, getting money from fools. I’d be wasting my skills dealing with an idiot like that if I couldn’t get something useful out of him. I hate the Moor, and there’s a widespread rumor that he’s slept with my wife. I’m not sure it’s true, but just the suspicion is enough for me. He thinks highly of me. That’ll help. Cassio’s a handsome man. Let’s see, how can Iget his position and use him to hurt Othello at the same time? How? How? Let’s see. After a while I’ll start telling Othello that Cassio is too intimate with Desdemona. Cassio is a smooth talker and a good-looking guy, the sort of man that people would
In the play Othello by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) the role of the villain is fairly shaping to the story line. This villain is Iago, also called “honest” Iago. While being called “honest” Iago, Iago is anything but honest. Iago is a devious man, liar, manipulator, and psychopath. For these reasons Iago is perhaps the most complex and intriguing character in the entire play. After some troubling events it becomes Iago’s sole purpose to ruin and destroy Othello. Iago’s motives for destroying Othello are fairly unclear so it is narrowed down to three main ideas. The first is the fact that Othello chose Cassio over Iago for a lieutenant position, which he thought he rightly deserved. The second is Iago’s belief …show more content…
This was shown when Iago talks personally to audience. Iago’s rising anger increases when he comes to the thought that Emilia and Othello may be having an affair. This gives Iago a greater reason to destroy Othello for all that he’s worth. Iago says to the audience, “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse. For I mine own gained knowledge should profane If I would time expend with such a snipe But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets He’s 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. Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now, To get his place and to plume up my will In double knavery. How? How? Let’s see. After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear That he is too familiar with his wife. He hath a person and a smooth dispose To be suspected, framed to make women false. The Moor is of a free and open nature That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, And will as tenderly be led by th' nose As asses are. I have ’t. It is engendered! Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.” (act 1 scene 3, lines 426-447) This section roughly translates to, “That’s how I always do it, getting money from fools. I’d be wasting my skills dealing with an idiot like that if I couldn’t get something useful out of him. I hate the Moor, and there’s a widespread rumor that he’s slept with my wife. I’m not sure it’s true, but just the suspicion is enough for me. He thinks highly of me. That’ll help. Cassio’s a handsome man. Let’s see, how can Iget his position and use him to hurt Othello at the same time? How? How? Let’s see. After a while I’ll start telling Othello that Cassio is too intimate with Desdemona. Cassio is a smooth talker and a good-looking guy, the sort of man that people would