Iago Two Side Character Analysis
In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the play is a tragedy constructed by the antagonist Iago; also known as a two-sided character. Throughout Act I, Iago is more of a complex character, who is racist, manipulative, jealous and two-faced. He continuously complains he hates Othello, all because Othello didn’t appoint him as an officer. Iago plans to take Roderigo’s money, and convince Othello that Desdemona had an affair with Cassio. Iago’s two-sided character served the purpose of strengthening the plot and character development throughout the play. Through this, the audience gains their own opinion of developing characters and clearly know who to sympathize.
From the very beginning of the play, Iago was introduced as a racist man. He referred to Othello as a “lust driven animal” that is abusing “the innocent Desdemona”. For example, he calls Othello, “an old black ram”
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This could be considered as the other side of Iago that he sets aside from the public. Nonetheless, Iago is jealous of Desdemona and secretly wants to be with Othello. This notion, however, is strengthened when Othello finally gives Iago the lieutenant position and vows to kill Cassio, “In the due reverence of a sacred vow, I here engage my words…The execution of his wit, hands, heart, to wronged Othello's service! Let him command, and to obey shall be in me remorse, what bloody business ever…I am your own forever” (Act 3. Scene 4. 523-532; 546). The diction used between the two characters come off, somewhat, homoerotic and suggests some kind of romantic relationship between both Iago and Othello. No matter how the audience chooses to interpret this notion, Iago is still the main focus in this play. We spend more time and follow his storyline more than we do Othello; from his manipulation of Roderigo, the way he treats Emilia, to his “friendship” with Othello. One can easily argue that he is the main character instead of
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