The story revolves around its two central characters. He hates othello for promoting cassio to the position of lieutenant, a position that. He even grows closer to othello as his plot progresses. This literature analysis essay makes an attempt to analyze the william shakespeares play othello and take an indepth look at one of the characters of this tragedy studentshare our website is a unique platform where students can share their papers in a matter of giving an example of the work to be done. Iago owns an important part in the play, and creates his image as a. Iagos main goal is to get othello and cassio out of the army, but in the end fails to ruin cassios life, only othellos. Hes a brave man, courageous soldier, and inspiring leader of men. In shakespeares othello, was the character of iago gay. In shakespeares play, the tragedy of othello bianca is a female character who plays a pivotal role in the development of the plot. Iago, the machiavellian villain of shakespeares othello exhibits character traits of amorality, duplicity, cynicism, pride, and of course, ego. The motives iago cites for his decisions change a few times, but one is that he is incensed by cassios promotion its implied hes been at othello s side for a while and strives first to take him down and then othello himself. Character analysis of iago in william shakespeares othello.
Iago plays cassio and othello and they both mistakably name him an honorable man. Iago, on the other hand, is the main antagonist, emilias husband, and desdemonas attendant. Othello equates iago s snakelike character to that of a devil who cannot be killed. Character of iago in othello by william shakespeare essay.
He is a master of deceit and a servant of the devil. In the play, the characters are faced with the choice to either conquer or succumb to the overpowering force of evil. Othello, cassio, desdemona, emilia, iago, bianca the play relies on the novel story of othello that was drawn from the novel book ecatommiti from a famous italian writer gimabattista giraldi cinzi. The tragic play, othello was written by william shakespeare in 1603. Character analysis of othello essay, othello on study boss. Character analysis of iago examine the character of iago as a study in pure evil. Character analysis of cassio and roderigo from othello. She was appointed a dame commander of the order of the british empire in 1966 marsh is known as one of the queens of crime, along with agatha christie, dorothy l. He uses many characters to his advantage, realizing how. But then iago, who doesnt give his name and whom brabantio doesnt recognize, graphically describes othello and desdemona having sexhe says that an old black ram is tupping your white ewe 1.
Every book on your english syllabus summed up in a quote from the office. There are as many opinions as to the readers about her character according to the theme of the play. Othello the tragedy of othello, the moor of venice is a tragedy by william shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603. The story of a moorish general othello and the soldier iago who plots to usurp him, the play features a small cast of characters who are manipulated and pitted against each other as part of iagos deceitful plan. He plays two different people, the disguise of the trusty and loyal ensign and the one whom hides behind this disguise. Character analysis of iago in the shakespeare play othello. Alexandra melville provides a close reading of the villainous character of iago in act 2, scene 1 of othello. He uses everyone around him in order to reach his ultimate goal of bringing down othello. He interacts with people only to manipulate them, but most importantly he never reveals his true feelings or motives.
Othello is a deeply complex character, and this is what makes him so compelling. Iago is a complex character that takes evil to a whole new level in the 1600s and plays a key role in this tale. Character of iago in othello by william shakespeare. The character of iago is the ultimate stroke of shakespeares dramatic genius. Though the most inveterate liar, iago inspires all of the plays characters the trait that is most lethal to othello. While supplying the source of the plot, the book offered nothing of the sense of place of venice or cyprus. Top american libraries canadian libraries universal library community texts project gutenberg biodiversity heritage library childrens library. Cassio is a young and inexperienced soldier, whose high position is much resented by iago. Othello and iago are principal fictional characters in william shakespeares literary work, othello c. Othello, desdemona, iago, michael cassio, emilia, roderigo, bianca. A character analysis of iago from shakespeares othello.
The antagonist in shakespeares othello is a demidevil. Character analysis of bianca in othello english summary. The villain iago from othello is a central character, and understanding him is key to understanding shakespeares entire play. William shakespeares othello iago character analysis. A critical analysis of othello s main characters william shakespeares othello is a classic depiction of a struggle between good and evil. Othello and others in the play constantly refer to him as honest iago. Othello is a tragedy by william shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603. Iago manipulates him so expertly that at times it seems he is actually inside othello s head. Iago might say things that suggest what his motive is, but he soon contradicts himself with another suggestion making it extremely difficult to understand him. Everyone considered iago as honest, and would be out of character for othello to believe any different. At the end of act i, scene iii, iago says he thinks othello may have slept with his wife, emilia.
Character of iago in othello by shakespeare analysis essay. The early scenes of othello establish iagos character and allow the audience to learn of his nature. This equation originates in the bible, wherein the devil appears in the form of a serpent. Iago, however, is able to hurt othello so much because he understands him so well. Closely study all methods and techniques he uses to manipulate the other characters, and select 23 reasons why he is ultimately able to control the other characters. Othello, a moorish general in the venetian army, and his treacherous ensign, iago. This wasnt very bright of othello, even if he wasnt trusting or more corrupt he still wouldnt realize iago was lying. Character analysis iago explains that he wants to destroy othello because he has been passed over for promotion to lieutenant. Act one, scene one is the most important because it foreshadows the whole drama. Character analysis of iago from shakespeares othello. Playing as the main antagonist in the play, iago is emilias wife, and othello s bearer. Analysis of iago character in shakespeares othello. He is the only one in the play who speaks to the audience, and his bitter rants about othello and cassio, his casual dismissal of women as worthless prostitutes, and his gleeful selfcongratulation about the nasty things he s doing are the foundation of how we view the story. Analysis of iago character in shakespeares othello the early scenes of othello establish iago s character and allow the audience to learn of his nature.
It is all about iago, at least for me hes the ultimate exponent of the darker side of the human condition. Much like the serpent in the garden of eden, iago is a tempter and corrupter. Throughout the play, he troubles others using his vicious techniques. The evil character in shakespeares othello bartleby. Othello, written in 16034, centers on a mysterious conflict between the moorish protagonist by the same name as the play and his malevolent ensign iago. Othello, a moorish general in the venetian army, and his. The early scenes of othello set up iago s character and let the audience to larn of his nature.
Othello study guide contains a biography of william shakespeare, literature essays. Iago refers to othello not by his name but as the moor, calling him the devil 2. The true cruel nature of iago is seen in how he treats others. The play revolves around various themes, such as, betrayal, hatred, evil, forgiveness, jealousy, and trust. Iago is a character in shakespeare s play, othello. Othello and desdemona are simply theatrical devices to illustrate iagos unrivaled ability to spin an evil web. Shakespeare has drawn the portrait of a consummate villain the character of iago. Ultimately, iago devises and plans revenge in order to take down othello, though his motives for doing so are unknown, by making him believe that his wife is cheating on him with his trusted lieutenant, cassio. Othello character analysis iago 8 august 2016 in othello, shakespeare tells the story of the soldier othello, a noble and respected man, whose insecurities enable him. It is correct about her character that she is a prostitute, she is famous for this position. Not to mention, the convoluted machinations he devises are complicated enough in their own right, even without a classic plot analysis. Two of the key characters are cassio, othellos loyal captain, and roderigo, a man who is love with othellos wife, desdemona. Also note how clear it is to iago that if othello suspects he has been unable to control his wife that he would lose his sense.
In william shakespeares othello, the complex relationship and roles of iago and othello confuse the audience of who the main character of the play really is. Most other shakespearean characters do bad things in order to achieve a particular goal. Character analysis of iago in othello english literature essay. Character analysis of iago in shakespeares othello multiple iago, book written by pia witzel. Iago deceives almost every character he interacts with in the book. Iago is a man with an obsession for control and power over others who has let this obsession take over his whole life. It is important that iago is an agile thinker in the play because without it shakespeare wouldnt be able to create suspense in the moments in which iagos scheme is challenged. He put all his trust n iago during times of war and during othello s marriage to desdemona. Othello sees cassio as the man most venetian women in desdemonas position would like to marry and, therefore, as the man she would turn to if she ceased to love her husband. Iago, an ensign serving under othello, the moorish commander of the armed forces of venice, is undoubtedly the most interesting and perplexing character in othello. Although iago certainly plays a major role in the play as the villain, the main plot of the play emanates around othello as changes occur. While othello and desdemona are there to illustrate how weak and pliable human emotions can be. Climax iago convinces othello that desdemonas cheating and othello resolves to kill her.
Necessity forces his hand, and, in order to destroy othello, he must also destroy roderigo, emilia, desdemona, and ultimately himself. Othellocharacter analysis of iago by ian li on prezi. Truly devoted to othello, cassio is extremely ashamed after being implicated in a drunken brawl on cyprus and losing his place as lieutenant. Iago is a fictional character and one of the major characters in shakespeares play, othello. Iago cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test. Presented by the speech and actions of all characters, the modern audience can construct a character sketch of othello that contains all the elements stated above.
Iago, in shakespeares othello, is a deceiving character because he tells lies in order to get what he wants. Iago character analysis essay in othello by shakespeare iago s character in the play othello is one of the most supreme creation of shakespeare in terms of its individuality in characteristics which are so close to the true nature of humanity. Iago portrays desdemona as lustful, desperate to trade othello for a more refined cassio. Iago, the villain in othello, is perhaps the most sadistic and consummately evil character in all english literature and his eventual downfall illustrates the triumph of love over hate, a key theme in many of shakespeares plays. He is a senior officer in the venetian army under the command of its general, othello.
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