Motivation In Othello

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Motivation is the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. As suggested in William Shakespeare's Othello, Iago is motivated by his disempowering beliefs such as jealousy, hatred and cynicism. In Othello, Iago gets revenge on certain individuals who have affected him and taken a position he felt deserving for. It is important for an individual to feel this way, but in Othello, Iago is a villainous character looking to ruin the lives of others because he feels that it is the only way to get revenge on those who have put him in the position he is in. If an individual like Iago doesn’t react the way he does then the past will always haunt him as he will always be valued below others in Cyprus. When Iago goes through …show more content…

Iago has planned this master plan which he calls the “spider web” in which he has thought of the best way to get his revenge on the two individuals who have affected him. At the start when Iago finds out that he hasn’t been promoted, he feels like Cassio just robbed him from his deserved position. When Iago says “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place”, he knows he is as deserving as the rest and isn’t worth much less. Iago’s hatred is shown right away towards Othello as he has promoted Cassio and not him. Iago figures out that this isn’t right and without any hesitation he starts his plan to sabotage and ruin the lives of those who have hurt him. Roderigo comes in the play when Iago needs assistance with the plan. With jealousy building up, Iago and Roderigo go over the edge and awaken the father of Desdemona, Brabantio. Iago informs Brabantio that his daughter is sleeping with the Moor. Iago portrays Othello as a dirty, unfaithful man who needs to be punished, “I am one sir to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs”. Iago and Roderigo have convinced Brabantio to take the matter to the court and let things be handled over there. Although when they arrive, the Venetian Senate decided that Othello was innocent. This ruling didn’t stop Iago from moving forward with his plans as he moves on with the …show more content…

While Iago has done enough damage he isn’t done just yet. While tensions are high, Iago is still driven by his cynicism to finish what he has started. In his final attempt with Othello and Cassio, Iago is ready to manipulate Othello into brutally murdering both Cassio and Desdemona. Iago goes on to say to Othello, “Do it not with poison; strangle her in her bed, even the bed she has contaminated”. Iago’s bitterness and self-interest motivates him to force Othello in murdering his innocent wife Desdemona. While Othello is preparing to murder his wife Desdemona, Iago’s assistant, Roderigo stabs the one and only Michael Cassio. In the middle of the night while this is all happening Iago frames Roderigo and then murders him. When Iago was asked about what occurred in the courtyard by Emilia he says, “Cassio hath here been set on in the dark by Roderigo and fellows that are scap’d”. Iago’s anger and frustration has influenced him into betraying Roderigo and also telling lies after lies to his wife and Othello. When Emilia finds out that Othello has murdered Desdemona she realizes how this homicide has happened. Emilia recalls her giving the handkerchief to Iago and is now ready to expose him. The handkerchief has revealed Iago’s other side and Emilia informs everybody of everything that has occured. When Iago gets caught he has no feeling of regret as he believes that this is what Othello and Cassio had coming. Iago

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