Thematic Analysis
Shakespeare’s enduring characters have been entertaining audiences and readers alike for over 400 years. Nevertheless, scholars have often debated the motives and essential essence of Othello’s villain, Iago. Was Iago acting out of jealous motivation; or, like author Samuel T. Coleridge noted, merely “motiveless malignity”? In a play where there is a lack of a heroic ‘good guy’ character the fact that the audience sees Iago as truly evil is a testament to the depth of his character.
In Iago’s initial on-stage appearance he explains that he has been has been overlooked by military general Othello in favor of Michael Cassio for a promotion. Iago proceeds to lay out a plan that will enmesh Othello, Cassio, and Othello’s new wife, Desdemona. The villain’s plan is to convince Othello …show more content…
In the first scene of the play, Roderigo and Iago are ambiguously referring to a ‘he’ and later in the scene when it becomes clear who are referring to they continue to use racial epitaphs to refer to Othello instead of names. Iago is preying on the senator’s fears and tells him, “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!...Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you” (I.i.86-88). Iago and Roderigo use language to compare Othello to an animal. The use of animal references in regard to Othello, as they usually are, reflect the racism of the characters of the play. They also call him “a Barbary horse” which is a specific breed of horse that originated in northern Africa. Prior to the revelation of his daughter’s marriage to Othello, Brabantio was almost in awe of Othello. Desdemona’s father suddenly switches camps and says that he believes Othello has bewitched Desdemona, he can think of no other reason that Desdemona would marry someone like Othello. This is another example in which the audience sees Iago’s almost supernatural ability to change people’s perception of those around
Shakespeare’s enduring characters have been entertaining audiences and readers alike for over 400 years. Nevertheless, scholars have often debated the motives and essential essence of Othello’s villain, Iago. Was Iago acting out of jealous motivation; or, like author Samuel T. Coleridge noted, merely “motiveless malignity”? In a play where there is a lack of a heroic ‘good guy’ character the fact that the audience sees Iago as truly evil is a testament to the depth of his character.
In Iago’s initial on-stage appearance he explains that he has been has been overlooked by military general Othello in favor of Michael Cassio for a promotion. Iago proceeds to lay out a plan that will enmesh Othello, Cassio, and Othello’s new wife, Desdemona. The villain’s plan is to convince Othello …show more content…
In the first scene of the play, Roderigo and Iago are ambiguously referring to a ‘he’ and later in the scene when it becomes clear who are referring to they continue to use racial epitaphs to refer to Othello instead of names. Iago is preying on the senator’s fears and tells him, “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!...Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you” (I.i.86-88). Iago and Roderigo use language to compare Othello to an animal. The use of animal references in regard to Othello, as they usually are, reflect the racism of the characters of the play. They also call him “a Barbary horse” which is a specific breed of horse that originated in northern Africa. Prior to the revelation of his daughter’s marriage to Othello, Brabantio was almost in awe of Othello. Desdemona’s father suddenly switches camps and says that he believes Othello has bewitched Desdemona, he can think of no other reason that Desdemona would marry someone like Othello. This is another example in which the audience sees Iago’s almost supernatural ability to change people’s perception of those around