A Clockwork Orange Othello Analysis

Initially, both Alex and Iago have cruel intentions with a lack of empathy which results in both characters being classified as villains. Similarly, both characters are responsible for the deaths of others. In A Clockwork Orange, Alex violates the law and trespasses into the Manse which results in Alex severely injuring an old woman. The woman passes away and Alex discovers this while being detained by the police. However, Alex displays no sign of remorse or regret for his actions, and he concludes that taking an individual’s life is unimportant and is not morally wrong. He says, “I’d crack her a bit too hard, like well, well, that was everything” (Burgess 56). Alex thinks that everything is alright and life will go on as usual, but murder

Iago spins a web of lies that causes Othello to come to the conclusion that killing his wife is the only option. In the end, Othello has killed his lover and those around him all know the details of what he has done. Othello thought he had good reasons for killing that Iago had provided him, but they were false which leads to Othello to ultimately lose his wife, status, and reputation which are considered very important to the characters in the play. Iago never once expresses guilt or remorse for causing the chain of events that ruined Othello. He just simply says that “From this time forth” [he] will never speak” (5.2.301).

Therefore, Alex goes out one night intending to commit violent acts and recalls the violent spree as a job rather than a horrific act almost desensitizing the act itself. Iago ruins the life of Othello with his lies and does not come to a conclusion that what he did was morally wrong.

All in all, Alex and Iago knew well of the cruel acts they put into action to ruin the lives of others, but both did not express any remorse or guilt which contributes to both characters being classified as

Iago is manipulative and can convince multiple people to follow him without realizing what they are doing or getting themselves into resulting in Iago being a predominant villain.

Next, Alex does not intend to cause the death of others. The death of the old woman and F. Alexander’s wife is not premeditated by Alex. In both instances, the deaths are accidental and are not for personal gain. When Alex kills the old women, he does so because she is attacking him and he wants to escape, but Alex hit her too hard causing her to die later in the hospital (Burgess 47). F. Alexander’s wife dies because of the trauma from the attack Alex committed. For both examples Alex does not plan for or even have death in his mind at all.

On the other hand, Iago has a premeditated plan to cause death of various characters in the play. Through the scheme Iago created he fully intended to cause the death of Desdemona. For instance, Iago convinces Othello to kill Desdemona in a way that will ultimately benefit himself. He says to Othello, “Do it not with poison; strangle her in her bed, even the / bed she hath contaminated” (4.1.202-203). Iago’s actions through his manipulation is the cause of Desdemona’s death and it is all for his own personal