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Iago's Jealousy

375 Words2 Pages

The tragedy begins with Iago’s soliloquy, here Iago’s envy towards Cassio is immediately conspicuous. He states that Cassio has “Never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows, More than a spinster”. Consequently Iago’s envy is mistaken for jealousy, which is why he comes across as the villain in the play. However, he also tries to disguise his villainous actions by “justifying” them. “Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty” “I am not what I am.” Here Iago is trying to hunt for motives in order to justify his malignity and envy towards Othello. By stating “I am not what I am” Iago wants the readers to acknowledge that he isn’t what he comes across as, as if he is hiding his “true self”. Dr A.C. Bradley mentions “Iago

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