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What Are Iago's Motives In Othello

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Throughout Act II of, the tragic play by William Shakespeare, Othello Iago displays his true intentions and feelings throughout a vast amount of soliloquies and asides. Iago has been plotting since the beginning of the play and his actions are the product of his hatred for Othello.
Through this play, the audience learns that Iago sees himself as better than everyone else and he treats others as fools. In the first scene of Act ii, Iago offends Desdemona leading to Cassio excusing his impolite behaviour. “With a little web as this I will ensnare as / great a fly as Cassio” (II, i, 183-184). This is said through an aside from Iago after he witnesses Cassio and Desdemona getting close to one another and talking. He watches them whisper and sees it as a great help to him succeeding in his plan. Iago seeks out Cassio’s position and revenge against Othello. He also knows that all he needs is a small amount of physical affection between the two to get Othello to misunderstand their relationship. He considers himself as a powerful spider and Cassio as a weak fly that is landing in his trap. Through this quote it is evident that Iago is plotting to plant a …show more content…

One of his motives was revealed in a soliloquy when he told the audience “For that I do suspect the lusty Moor / hath leaped into my seat” (II, i, 317-318). At this time, Iago reveals another one of his reasons for despising Othello is that he thinks he has slept with his wife, Emilia. Iago constantly unveils unconvincing motives for his actions and continuously changes his drive for hatred. In Act I, Iago claimed that he hated Othello because he gave the Lieutenant position to Cassio and then later says it is because he has a suspicion of Othello and Emilia sleeping together. Iago’s true motivation is never actually expressed which leaves his motives unidentified and actions impulsive. The impression Iago gives off is heinous and

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