In the William Shakespeare poem Othello, the story is focused on a group of people living in Venice. The main character Othello is a well-liked man by almost everyone there, except for Iago. Throughout the story, Iago is plotting revenge against Othello, while flourishing on jealousy and anger towards him. Iago’s selfish actions throughout the story result in ruined relationships with himself and others, especially with his wife Emelia. After much manipulation, lies, and violence, the story ends with quite a few killings and Iago being the one to continue living. In this poem by William Shakespeare, there are quite a few things to analyze, such as the characterization, symbolism, and the theme. Othello is a man who is a great soldier and
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Throughout the story, readers can see Iago is oddly focused on plants, readers can see this in his speech. One example of his odd preoccupation with plants is when he says, “Our bodies are our gardens, to which our wills are gardeners; so that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme… the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills” (I.iii.317-322). Another example of this is when he says, “Though other things grow fair against the sun, / Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe” (II.iii.349-350). These examples explain Iago’s focus on the plant metaphor and how that functions within the story. According to Iago, the characters in this story are individuals that are the produce of certain natural forces, which, left abandoned, will produce wild fruit in their lives. Iago seems to understand these natural forces quite well: he is, according to his own metaphor, a good gardener, both of himself and of others. Many of his garden references scarily pertain to poison: “I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear” (II.iii.330); “The Moor already changes with my poison. / Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons, / … / … Not poppy nor mandragora / Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world / Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep” (III.iii.329-336). Iago supports his arrogances in life so that they become lethal poisons and then “plants their seeds” in the minds of his peers. The way Iago’s plots devour his peers and determine their actions displays Iago’s devious and evil spirit seem like a force of nature. That organic growth also specifies that the minds of the other characters are fruitful ground for Iago’s
Throughout the story, readers can see Iago is oddly focused on plants, readers can see this in his speech. One example of his odd preoccupation with plants is when he says, “Our bodies are our gardens, to which our wills are gardeners; so that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme… the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills” (I.iii.317-322). Another example of this is when he says, “Though other things grow fair against the sun, / Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe” (II.iii.349-350). These examples explain Iago’s focus on the plant metaphor and how that functions within the story. According to Iago, the characters in this story are individuals that are the produce of certain natural forces, which, left abandoned, will produce wild fruit in their lives. Iago seems to understand these natural forces quite well: he is, according to his own metaphor, a good gardener, both of himself and of others. Many of his garden references scarily pertain to poison: “I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear” (II.iii.330); “The Moor already changes with my poison. / Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons, / … / … Not poppy nor mandragora / Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world / Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep” (III.iii.329-336). Iago supports his arrogances in life so that they become lethal poisons and then “plants their seeds” in the minds of his peers. The way Iago’s plots devour his peers and determine their actions displays Iago’s devious and evil spirit seem like a force of nature. That organic growth also specifies that the minds of the other characters are fruitful ground for Iago’s