Unknown to Othello, Iago was motivated by a cruelty that demanded the utter destruction of Othello’s public and private life. In the play Othello, by William Shakespeare, Iago is the main antagonist to the protagonist of the story. Iago is motivated by cruelty; his final goal is see all of his adversaries suffer. Cruelty is an especially crucial theme to any story, for it reveals the ugly truth about a character who is primarily motivated by cruelty. The social and political gains of Iago’s cruelty display how the theme functions in a work of literature and what it reveals about both the perpetrator and victim.
Othello is much older than the young Desdemona, claiming“… I am declined/ Into the vale of years” (3. 3. 269-270). It can be assumed he is most likely scarred quite egregiously, due to the battles he has fought. His age and physical appearance along with the fact he has just married a young beautiful wife make Othello self-conscious and nervous that his wife may not “love” him. As Francesco Ancona mentions in “Honest” Iago and the evil nature of words “to cover up that insecurity, he lies” (np), acting as if he has a strong steady belief in himself translates to readers as lying to himself “you…more command… years Than with… weapons” (1. 2. 60-61). Furthermore Othello lies to Iago. By denying Iago the Lieutenant position, Othello surely knows that he has hurt Iago. Iago has proven himself by having fought alongside Othello for many battles “And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof” (1. 1. 27-28). Iago also had three different key representatives throughout the city of Venice voice their opinion that he is deserving of the job to Othello, “Three great ones… suit… to make me” (1. 1. 8-9). Instead of confronting Iago and explaining his decision to promote Cassio, Othello ignores the obvious animosity and lies to Iago pretending all is fine. This subtle act of lying is the key reason for Iago’s heinous plan of revenge. Though seemingly
Customarily, an author will construct a narrative in which the protagonist, a character contrived to be implausible, as well as honorable is destined to decline along the path of tragedy leading to suffering and misfortune. Distinctive writing strategies corresponding to the theme, motifs, symbols and characters contently allow the scripter to plot the flaws dominating the descent of the advocate. Amongst Fitzgerald and Shakespeare’s central characters, Jay Gatsby and Othello, both filled with passionate love for their significant other are corrupted by their lack of judgement causing them to lose the one they lust over. Similarly, both characters originated from a meager past which they were forced to struggle to achieve a position where they
In William Shakespeare’s Othello the two main characters are Iago and Othello. The entire story centers around Iago 's plan to achieve revenge on Othello for not promoting him to lieutenant. Throughout the story Iago tries to convince Othello that his wife Desdemona has cheated on him with his lieutenant Cassio. Iago’s plan is successfully and easily executed. Othello is tricked into believing that desdemona has been unfaithful and in the end he kills her. The men in Othello mistrust the women and always quick to associate them with being deceptive and unfaithful.
In the book Othello, Iago is a very manipulating man, throughout the book he manages to manipulate three main people, Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello. He uses all their weaknesses to bring them down. Iago wants revenge on Othello, because Othello overlooks Iago and his abilities, so Iago manipulates these three characters to get back at Othello in the long run. He comes up with a very good plan to get each other to turn against one another. So in the end he ends up getting what he wanted, revenge. Many characters fall into Iago 's web of deception throughout the book.
Society defines a hero as someone of exceptional courage, strength, or outstanding achievements. According to A.C Bradley, a tragic hero is defined as someone of high class, who possesses a specific flaw that will eventually lead them to their demise. This idea of a character experiencing a tragic fate is represented through two different texts with similar protagonists. Author Scott F. Fitzgerald of “The Great Gatsby” demonstrates this rise and fall of the main character, Jay Gatsby. Similarly, author William Shakespeare presents his ideas of a tragic hero through the character Othello, in the play “Othello”. Comparing the two matters, both Jay Gatsby and Othello face similar character flaws that play a significant role in leading to their
“Guilt is not a response to anger; it is a response to one's own actions or lack of action.” This is a quote from Caribbean-American writer Audre Lorde. Many people express their opinion on guilt, but having written over 20 books, she is a very well-educated individual and her word is looked upon with adoration. Another successful and commendable person is the philosopher, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. Nietzsche is the philosopher that came up with the love, guilt, and redemption philosophy, in which Nietzsche believes that the amount of “guilt and debt, the act of giving (of love or money) must never overwhelm the receiver” (Cybulska). This statement means that not only should the negative influences be limited, but the positive influences
Manipulation is shown in many ways such as politics, the media, misleading information and false advertising. To convey one’s thoughts to your own advantage is seen as crude and unnecessary. However, many people have their reasons in manipulating someone whether they are good or bad. In Shakespeare’s Othello, the concept of taking advantage of someone through manipulation leads to unnecessary, horrible events.
William Shakespeare is a classic writer and has written several plays. One of his famous plays he has written was Othello. There is several hidden meaning behind a person’s appearance. Lies and manipulation are common in the play and to society. When Iago manipulates each character he finds their weakness and their passion to make them do what he desires. Jealousy and violence are common to society and shows us that jealousy can destroy a person. There are several different ways to show violence, physically, mentally, and verbally.
Race is currently a hot topic in contemporary society. How minority populations are represented in the media, literature, and other modes of communication is constantly criticized. Although, societies are slowly eliminating and punishing racial prejudices, they still exist. Stereotypical portrayals of non-white characters have existed in western civilization for thousands of years. Literature produced in a predominantly white European context has historically been plagued with politically incorrect renderings of minorities. Marginalized characters have frequently embodied stereotypical traits that negatively and inappropriately represent them. Patriarchal ideologies helped to establish hegemonic societal views on other races,
Humans are social creatures and in the same way, loving relationships are crucial to one’s well being and happiness. In light of this fact it is easy to see how the betrayal of the same persons that provide your happiness create massive ripples. While the play “Othello” explores various theme topics and ideas, the main theme topic is betrayal, which is projected through the various relationships. Shakespeare uses imagery to show the corruption of relationships through the feeling or appearance of betrayal and is evident between three main relationships throughout the play, in the first place: Desdemona and Brabantio, her father, additionally, Iago and Emilia, and lastly Othello and Desdemona, both husband and wife.
Final Essay on Othello In the book Othello written by William Shakespear, one of the protagonists also known as the as the villain of the play named Iago is often debated on to decide if he is completely villainous or if he has real reasons for getting
Many of the traits that have Shakespeare gives the characters have negative connotations that show the flaw in human beings like greed,jealousy, and anger which then motivates the villains, and even our main heros, to try and “change destiny” by manipulating situations to change the outcome. This can be seen in Othello where it is mentioned several times the possible reasons as to why Iago is doing what he is. While we are “Hunting about for [his] motives,” (Rosenberg 150) we as readers can’t help but wonder if his real reason is not even mentioned or if he doesn’t have justification for any of it, but is going off of what he believes to be true, not that actual truth. Because there is no justification, it is clear that “Iago was really the
The play of Othello is a tragedy that exposes the characters in several ways, causing conflict and envy, eventually leading to a tragic end. To achieve this tragic end, Iago uses manipulation in order to change the views of, and bring out multiple personalities in the characters.
Iago is a unique and complicated character. He is intelligent in that he is able to manipulate people and events in his favour, which he thrives on throughout the play, classifying him as the antagonist of the play. Driven by jealousy and hatred, Iago plots against Othello to destroy his character and reputation. Knowing that if he foolishly attacked such a respected man directly, he would be sentenced to death. As a result, he devises to use other people to obtain what he desires by influencing the characters in the play to suit his plan.