Why does Iago sabotage everyone else? The simple answer is that he believes that he’s better than everyone else. The play “Othello” by William Shakesphere is essentially centered around one of the main characters, Iago, who grows resentment towards the characters Cassio and Othello due to Othello giving Cassio the promotion over him. Due to Iago's excessive jealousy, he plots and plans to turn everyone against each other in fits of jealousy so he can come out on top. All of Iago's actions can be best analyzed under the Marxist critical lens, and the concept of social class. In Act 2, Scene 3, Iago sets the scene up with his plan to sabotage Cassio since he received the promotion over him. “Am I to put our Cassio in some action that may offend the isle? But here they come, too. If consequence do but approve my dream, My boat sails freely both with wind and stream” (Shakespeare, lines 63-66). In this scene, Iago is essentially bragging to himself about his plan to sabotage Cassio, he's so proud and confident in himself that he gets in his head that he's …show more content…
In this part of the scene when Othello enters, breaking up the fight and demanding answers, we see a flip in Iago in which he’s playing the innocent card, but for what reason? “More of this matter cannot be reported. But men are men; the best sometimes forget. Though Cassio did some little wrong to him, “As men in rage strike those that wish them best” (Shakespeare, lines 225-228). The more obvious reason for this is that Iago wants to do his best for Othello to show that he’s the best option to receive the promotion, but it’s also because he realized when Othello entered that he has yet to reach the top. Othello is much higher up on the social class and power rank compared to Iago and it heavily shows throughout the play whenever Iago steps down to
something. Jealousy is a major theme in the play Othello. People scheme and twist others minds to get revenge for not getting what they want. We want what we can’t have and much like the play Othello. many would do anything to get what they want. Today’s society can still relate to the play Othello in that it revolves heavily around jealousy and need to possess what someone else has. Othello is a Shakespearian play about a venetian moore who
character, causing them to act in extreme measures in order to obtain their desires. It is able to change a good man into one that is evil with envy. Iago was once “[a] man [that was] honest and [trustworthy]” (I.iii.285), he turns into a “[precious] villain” (V.ii.235) due to his envy for Cassio’s position as Othello’s lieutenant and of Othello’s assets. Once Iago learns that he is not promoted to Othello’s lieutenant, he spurns acceptance
Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello consists of various manipulative actions. Jealousy and selfishness causes people to make decisions that can ruin another person. Most of the characters in Othello were influenced by a form of manipulation. Iago’s manipulation of Othello and Roderigo were the main parts of the story. Cassio and Desdemona were also taken advantage of, but used in a greater manipulation of Othello and Roderigo. Iago’s intelligence and cunningness lead everyone to believe he was a truthful
play Othello by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare explores different ways humans react to conflicts they are forced to face. William Shakespeare suggests that the conflicts in an individual’s life can have significant effects on the individual’s identity. This is displayed through the ideas of jealousy, love, and dishonesty. Jealousy is a recurring theme that is significant
of his more popular plays, Othello, Shakespeare gave the character Iago a two sided personality. Iago pretends to be a friend of Othello by giving him helpful tips and advice; however, he is secretly trying to sabotage Othello’s marriage. He tricks Othello into thinking the worst about Cassio and that he is having an affair with Othello’s wife Desdemona. Throughout the tragic play of Othello, Shakespeare uses an ongoing theme of appearance versus reality to show how Iago manipulates each character
one’s life. Shakespeare is able to test this theory in his play, Othello. Shakespeare’s Othello presents the audience with the subliminal warfare between good and evil. The evil within the play will cause Othello’s downfall and is exemplified through Iago, who confesses that it his “nature’s plague/ to spy into abuses and oft [his] jealous” and is cunning, deceitful and plotting (3.3.171-172). At the same time, the good within Iago will cause his own downfall. With the use of topics such as race
the power and impact of words. In Othello, Iago’s deceitful character is showcased through his skillful, manipulative language, particularly in his interactions with other characters to wreak havoc upon Othello. Using diction, imagery and metaphor, and the three rhetorical appeals, Iago is able to fool Brabantio, Othello, and Roderigo, respectively, despite the epithet, “Honest Iago,” that he is given, all to reach the fulfillment of his vengeance towards Othello and destroy him. The play begins by
evil, manipulative people in this world. Iago, in Othello by William Shakespeare, is a great example. He uses people 's weaknesses, honor, and ignorance to control them fueled by the very “Green-eyed monster” (III.iii.166). Jealousy dwells in every human no matter how good-hearted one is, but it is an option whether to recognize it or not. Unlike Iago, Othello was not aware of the jealousy that was inside him; therefore, he was not able to control it. Iago exploits this opportunity to reveal Othello’s
unfaithfulness. In the William Shakespeare play "Othello",the major theme of jealousy is portrayed through the characters Roderigo, Iago and Othello. These characters show how jealousy has a destructive influence. Roderigo shows a destructive influence of jealousy in the play "Othello". His jealousy is for anyone who captures Desdemona's heart. Roderigo desperately wants to marry Desdemona, but her father Barbantio disapproved. When Iago tells Roderigo that Othello has married Desdemona without her fathers
Iago has been to blame for the downfall of Othello because he is the one that created the jealousy within Othello. Iago started this because he was jealous of Othello because he was not made lieutenant, and Cassio was. Iago has been selfish and takes it upon himself to get revenge against Othello. Iago has been excellent at saying the what is needed to get to people, he misleads them to get a reaction he wants out of them. He is clever with his words to avoid confrontation that can easily happen
In William Shakespeare's, Othello, Iago's ability to manipulate characters in the play demonstrates that he has two sides to himself, which ultimately cause major destruction. When Othello does not name Iago his main lieutenant and instead chooses Cassio, Iago seeks revenge on Othello. However since Iago does not have a past of being disloyal to Othello, Iago is able to manipulate Othello and other characters more easily. Iago represents a paradox because he is honest to himself and the reader, but
emotion. Othello, one of Shakespeare’s famous plays, has various movie versions. Tim Blake Nelson’s 2001 updated modern version of Othello, “O”, integrates the important symbolism of the handkerchief as well as themes of jealousy and manipulation; yet, it devalues the important features of women discrimination and early modern English language. The handkerchief engages a very important part of both the play and the movie. It is used as a symbol of love and is converted to being used as a Iago clarifies
Jealousy and its Role in Othello In Shakespeare’s Othello Jealousy is the main themes throughout the play. Along the play Jealousy is the reason for most of the misfortune in the play. This is shown through the actions of the characters Iago, Roderigo and Othello. Iago has a strong manipulative trait which helps him on his ploy to destroy Othello’s relationship, Cassio’s title and of course himself, Because of his Jealousy towards Cassio and Othello. As the play opens Iago is expressing his reasoning
William Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice is a play of great manipulation and jealousy. Iago is the antagonist character of the play Othello. Iago becomes irate and filled with jealousy when Othello names Michael Cassio as his lieutenant, because Iago believed he should have been the one promoted not Michael Cassio. By manipulating everyone around him, Iago portrays himself as an honest noble man whom can be trusted. Iago being known for the honest man he earns everyone’s trust and therefore
In the play, The Tragedy of Othello, judging from the relationship between Desdemona and Othello, seems to say that marriage based on an innocent romantic love is bound to fail. There is a common thread of betrayal and deceit among many characters. Othello and Desdemona being the most vividly portrayed. The two appear to love one another romantically at first, but it soon after transforms into a secular love. This comes to pass because there is no foundation for a relationship. There is no trust