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A struggle between good and evil
Iago, character analysis
Iago, character analysis
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Recommended: A struggle between good and evil
The word “evil” can be interpreted in many ways. However, most people use the term evil to describe deliberate wrong doing that causes harm to others. Within the foundation of any compelling story there is always the struggle of good vs evil. The person who possesses the evil characteristics in the story is often labeled the villain. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, the character Iago possesses evil characteristics leading to destruction. In the Disney movie Aladdin, the villain Jafar possesses similar evil characteristics that lead to the same type of destruction. Both characters have motives, and when comparing the two one will find that although they come from different stories the evil traits they possess cause them to seem like a mirror image of one another.
In Shakespeare’s Othello Iago is known for being trustworthy and respected. Throughout the play, characters often refer to him as “Honest Iago.” Othello, whose military judgment is superior has even taken him and labeled him captain because of these traits. Iago seems to go against his reputation and act in ways that somebody who is trustworthy would not. This gives the idea that Iago is in fact a villain (Empson). Perhaps, Iago has always been evil and just created a false reputation, or maybe he was once an honest man and just decided to switch up his values. This still does not change the fact that Iago is a manipulative trickster whose desire for power and revenge leads him to destruction.
When it comes to manipulation Iago knows best. Iago goes out of his way to basically destroy Othello, the man who trusts him the most. Iago spends most of his time planning revenge towards Othello and we are left wondering why. When people do bad things it is usual...
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... it was in fact a loss because although he was powerful he was banished into a tiny lamp where his powers were useless.
Iago and Jafar both possess evil characteristics, they are from extremely different backgrounds but somehow seem to have a mirror like image of one another. They are faced with the difficulties of overcoming the evilness inside of them. They lack empathy, rely on manipulating others, and only seek out for personal gain. They are true villains and remain that way until the very end.
Works Cited
Auden, W. H. "Iago as a Practical Joker." . March 2001. 19 February 2014.
Bradley, A.C. "Othellos Distinguishing Characteristics". 19 February 2014.
Empson, William. "Good and Evil in Othello". July 1998. 19 February 2014.
Johnson, Samuel. Iagos Character. May 2004. 19 February 2014.
Shaw, George Bernard. Iagos Complex Character. 19 February 2014.
In Shakespeare's play Othello, Iago Is shown to be the villain. With the cunning use of his brilliance and manipulation, he is able to orchestrate an entire plot to take his revenge on Othello the center of all his ill tempered aggression. By lying to characters like Roderigo and many others, including his wife, in order to
As Othello's most trusted friend Iago has the upper hand when it comes to influencing Othello. When Othello passes Iago up for the position of lieutenant he claims to be angry; he is ready to seek revenge. Othello and Iago have been through countless battles and Othello feels as if he can trust “Honest” Iago. When there is a problem Iago is there to lend a helping hand. Iago uses his trusted advice to manipulate the mind of Othello and other main characters. He even calls himself honest, “As honest as I am” Iago uses these words to convince his credibility (Othello, Shakespeare, Act II Scene I Line
Manipulation is viewed in a negative light in society, but if used correctly, such as advertisement, can be quite effective. Despite the fact that Iago is considered to be Othello’s right-hand man, he uses conniving and manipulation to get revenge, shaping every odd occurrence and event to his own cowardly schemes. Iago gets inside of Othello’s mind and uses his jealousy and persecution as the Moor against him. He controls Rodrigo and ultimately destroys his reputation as well as influences Cassio when he is depressed. Iago figures out ways to manipulate multiple characters in Shakespeare’s play Othello using their faults - jealousy, control, and pride – to obtain his wants and desires.
In Othello, Iago is Shakespeare’s most malicious character and serves as a vehicle to these two themes. Iago despises Othello; he has a strong will to destroy Othello’s life, yet the motive behind his plan goes unexplained. Iago is a great manipulator of the tongue and lies to everyone in order to advance his plan; however, every character in the play considers Iago an honest character, and Othello even associates Iago with light and eyesight. Othello continuously asks Iago to explain or make something clearer. Until the very end, Iago appears to be honest and helpful to the other characters, but underneath this seemingly harmless façade, Iago is a demon with the strongest will; he will stop at nothing until he ruins Othello’s life. Iago uses a positive appearance to enact his
Despite being from in two different time periods, Lord of the Flies by Golding and Othello by Shakespeare , Shakespeare and Golding both share a common theme of good versus evil; the characters Simon and Desdemona share the interest of purity and represent a God/Goddess while being challenged by the unholy or the evil. Jack, dark and evil character and Iago, dark and masterminded character share the characteristic of being evil or unholy. Unfortunately in both instances, evil takes over and cannot be a pure individual. The evil inside them takes over their heart but does not really control them, even in their most brutal murders, they still maintain to be themselves and not get absorbed by evil and turn insane.
manipulates people about Othello and his wife Desdemona. Iago starts manipulating people by hinting that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, and so in Act 3 scene 3 Iago puts his plans into action. starts manipulating people. Iago’s manipulation of Othello is admirable. Iago starts off very subtle.
Fred West addresses the fact of Iago misrepresentation, “It is not sufficient to simply drape Iago in allegorical trappings and proclaim him Mister Evil or a Machiavel or a Vice. Such a limited view of Iago is an injustice to the complexity of his character, since Shakespeare’s studies in personality are acclaimed by psychologists for their accuracy and profundity” (27). West seems to be reminding us that just seeing Iago as the representation of evil within the play of “Othello” is the wrong way to paint him. Iago is a man wronged by Othello in the fact that he was not chosen to be Othello’s lieutenant, which is what put the dastardly idea into Iago’s head to trick them all and bring them to their knees. As Iago tells Roderigo within the first act and scene of “Othello”,
Iago is a twenty- eight years old Caucasian married man and he is a soldier in the Venetian army. Iago is viewed as modest, honest, and a good friend to people in public. People refer to him as “honest Iago” which leads them to trust him. Iago plans to destroy Othello by manipulating him to believe that his wife is being unfaithful to him with his promoted lieutenant Cassio, a position Iago wanted to have.
William Shakespeare has yet again created a world of good and evil. In his work Othello, the ideals and principles of this world are just like any other with a twist brought upon by two characters, Othello and Iago. These two characters along with many others employ the central idea of what good and evil entails. However, neither Othello nor Iago possess just one of these traits. Othello is not just the pure perfect guy he is perceived to be and Iago is not just the evil vindictive character he is believed to be but rather both of these men are far more interesting than that. They both have the necessary qualities that get them through life and potentially threaten their lives. Through their actions and interactions with the other characters that they really are is shown.
Iago is one of the most complex characters in William Shakespeare’s Othello. To most of the characters, he is “Honest Iago” (Shakespeare, 5.2.73). however, the audience knows that Iago is the furthest thing from honest. Iago is a devil bent on destroying the lives of everyone around him. At the beginning of the play, the audience learns that Iago is determined to ruin Othello’s marriage to Desdemona. He has appointed a new lieutenant, Michael Cassio. This angers Iago because he feels that he has much more military experience and should be the lieutenant. Iago has also heard rumours that both Othello and Cassio have slept with his wife Emilia. He concocts a malicious plan to ruin the lives of all who have wronged him, and consequently establishing
Iago's manipulative nature has a profound effect on the decisions made by other characters in Shakespeare's ‘Othello’. Through his relations with those around him Shakespear characterizes him as a man full of malice, vengeance and dishonesty that is wholly inspired by jealousy. Furthermore it would appear that Iago has an exceptional ability to scheme, a talent which he uses to snake his way into the lives of others and exploit them through their weaknesses. Whether he does this for profit or for pleasure is a separate issue.
On closer examination, throughout the play we see Iago manipulating all the characters in turn; this shows that he is an expert master manipulator for everyone to be deceived by him. When reading this play we don’t expect Othello to be as easily manipulated by Iago as he was.
In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is the antagonist and villain who causes all the trouble and disorder. Othello is the protagonist, and is the main person Iago’s destruction and revenge is aimed towards. Othello is nave and gives everybody his trust even though he may not know them or they haven’t earned his trust yet. He often refers to Iago as “Honest” Iago, which is a direct showing of irony because Iago is not honest at all (Shakespeare, I, iii. 289).
Iago is the only reason there is any conflict in Othello. If he were not a character, Othello and Desdemona would have lived happily ever after. From the beginning to the end he causes conflicts. He is directly or indirectly responsible for the deaths of many characters. Shakespeare didn't just create Iago's character to be evil. He wanted him to be the epitome of it. All of the problems he causes are through lies, treachery, manipulation, and a deep unknown hatred. Some of his hate is fueled by jealousy and revenge. The ironic part is that he is known as "honest Iago". Every act contains an evil plot set up by Iago. They all play into his grand scheme.
Iago has a sophisticated way of deceiving the characters of the play, making him a very intelligent person. Early in the play Othello introduces Iago to the Duke of Venice as, “My ancient / A man he is of honesty and trust” (!. iii. 284-85). This is but one of the times in the play that Iago is referred to as honest and true. Throughout the play Iago is considered to be honest, but is actuality the villain. In order to maintain this false image one has to have a beguiling character. After Othello and his lieutenant, Michael Cassio, return from the war against the Ottomans, there is a celebration. At this celebration Iago puts his manipulation to work. He knows that Othello and Desdemona’s love for each other is very true, but he tells Rodrigo that Desdemona had love for Cassio: “With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. / Ay, smile upon her, do…” (II. I. 164-65). This quote shows that Iago deceives Roderigo into believing that Desdemona loves Cassio, when in Roderigo’s eyes it is virtually impossible. Iago basically controls Rodrigo because Iago deceives him into believing that he can have Desdemona, by both Cassio and Othello.