Many characters in literature can share some common characteristics, depending if they are the protagonist or antagonist. Tom Hiddelston used Shakespeare, specifically his play Othello, as an influence on his portrayal of the Marvel Comics character, Loki. Hiddelston used many of the personality traits seen in Iago in his development of the character Loki. Loki is the bad boy of the marvel comic book world who is featured in both Thor and Avengers comics.
Tom Hiddelston has stated that he admires Shakespeare and his work, so it is no surprise that Hiddelston would take to some notes from his long time hero. During an interview Hiddelston referenced his training in the London theater scene. When asked where he did his research- to get his inspiration for his character Loki, Hiddelston said, “Shakespeare is always a really easy paradigm for me, because he wrote such amazing characters. “He’s [Loki] more like, uh, he’s more like Iago.” (Machado.)
He went deeper into the meaning behind comparing Loki to Iago by stating, “Iago is a psychopath, he basically brings down an entire culture, and you don’t ever find out really why. At the end, someone asks him, “Why did you do this?” He quite calmly responds with, “What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak word.”(Machado). Loki, as portrayed in the popular comic book series and movie franchise is also a psychopath, who delights in bringing destruction to that around him.
Tom Hiddelston saw many similarities between Iago and his imagining of Loki. One of the most obvious similarities is that Loki and Iago are both masters at causing disarray in the relationships of others, meaning each character looks for ways to manipulate others to meet their own desires to the de...
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...s sleep, to catch Thor, who is holding onto Loki. It is at this time that Loki finally confesses is reasoning for his actions, “I could have done it, Father! I could have done it! For you! For all of us!” (Miller). Odin does not approve of Loki or his actions at this point, and a disappointed Loki lets go of his once-brother Thor, and Loki falls into a warm whole, to be presumed dead until a year later when he comes back for revenge in the Avengers.
In conclusion, Tom Hiddelston noticed the many similarities between his character Loki, and Shakespeare's character, Iago. Hiddelston uses Iago as an influence in his character development of Loki. There are many examples which can be used to show the similarities between these two charterers such as, they both have jealousy issues and both have an excellent manipulative power over people.
In most works of literature there is an “evil” character that has conflicting interests with the protagonist. This issue may arise in multiple forms including, but not limited to, abuse and manipulation. In this paper we will be discussing the similarities and differences between Shakespeare’s character Iago from Othello and J.K. Rowling’s character Voldemort from the Harry Potter series.
Thor wants to return home but believes he cannot because Loki said he was banished and that he had killed their father. After Thor doubts his return home the gatekeeper opens the portal for him to return home. At the end of Thor Loki also gets an opportunity to live, even though he tried tricking Thor into believing he could not return home because he killed their father. After Thor and Loki have their brother battle in Asgard they almost fall of the bridge, but, Thor holds on tight with Loki hanging from them. Odin awakes from his rest and grabs Thor’s arm, but, just as he is pulling them up Loki feels he is now unworthy and Let's go of Thor and falls off. He becomes the leader of his people, the Frost Giants.
Many, if not all of the main events are sparked by Iago and some antic he plus. He plays a captivating character making him seemingly the main character rather than Othello.
Shakespeare’s plays show the complexity of human beings. Everyone is different in reactions, actions, and thought. Shakespeare explores various themes throughout his writing career. Each play is unique, and their themes are handled in a very distinct way as Shakespeare writes each work with great care. Two major themes are appearance versus reality and relationship between motive and will; Othello, Hamlet, and Henry IV, Part 1 all portray these two themes in similar and different ways.
In the play, Othello, written by William Shakespeare Iago is one of the most unique and interesting characters. Not only is Iago a main character, but he is also one of the most controversial, causing more drama and quarrels than any other character in the play. Shakespeare does a good job with the character of Iago by creating an atmosphere where Iago can keep the reader's attention on each and every individual scene throughout the entire play, as one tries to figure out Iago's true intentions. When reading the play it is easy for an individual to view Iago as an evil person who gets pleasure from malicious acts he inflicts upon others around him.
The Motivations of Iago in Othello Have you ever met a devil who does evil for his own sake? Iago in William Shakespeare's Othello could seem like he has good motives, but I feel that he uses them as his excuses. The first thing that I did was uncover Iago's motives. Iago is the most controversial character in Othello. He is able to keep his true thoughts and motives from everyone.
Iago is the main drive for almost everything in the story. There are times where it does not even seem that Othello is the main character in the story. Iago’s role in the story is to destroy Othello and he does a very good job of convincing the reader that he despises Othello. His monologues go repetitively about how terrible of a man Othello is. The reason why Iago is furious at Othello is that it is rumored that he slept with his wife. Everybody has felt that sting of betrayal and jealousy, but there are some people that do not think before they act and are so bent on making sure people get what they deserve or wanting bad things to happen to the people that have hurt them. These individuals get lost and that is what Iago is an example of that personal event. His monologues range from utterly despicable to some of the most well thought out plans that no one would have ever thought of. The great thing about Iago is he is not a standard villain. Most villains are dumb and always fail in their plans. Iago is completely different from the generic villain; he is smart and plans his moves
Geoffrey Sax's interpretation of William Shakespeare's wicked villain Iago is extraordinary. While reading the play, I envisioned Iago precisely as Christopher Eccleston portrayed him--diabolical and amoral--the pathetic antagonist of Othello, bursting with frustration and dominance throughout the text and film. Iago, or Ben Jago--the characters name in the film--is the backbone of both works, moving the plot along with his deceit and mendacity, progressively leading the audience to the tragic climax.
"How shall I murder him, Iago?" This one line, spoken by Othello, in Shakespeare's play of the same name speaks volumes of the evil and deceitful nature of the character being spoken to, Iago. The ability to turn a noble, self controlled, respected man such as Othello into a raving, murderous lunatic can only be had by an evil man such as Iago. Iago is conniving, vengeful, vain, ruinous, dishonest, egotistical and paranoid. This makes him one of the most evil men in all of literature.
Iago behaves like a predator, guided by selfish desires. Almost all of his thoughts and actions are subjected to one idea - to achieve success for himself, in the different form - promotion, enrichment, a success of any expressed. The only exception to this rule is a desire to destroy Othello.
The play "Othello" by William Shakespeare is based on an Italian story in Giraldi Cinthio's Hecatommithi (Groliers). In "Othello" we encounter Iago, one of Shakespeare's most evil characters. Iago is an ensign in Othello's army and is jealous of Cassio's promotion to Lieutenant. Through deception and appearance, we see unfolded a plethora of lies and clever schemes. The astonishing thing about Iago is that he seems to make up his malicious schemes as he goes along without any forethought. Noted writer Samuel Taylor Coleridge describes Iago's plan as "motive-hunting of a motiveless malignity" (Scott 413). Iago seizes every opportunity to further advance his plan to his advantage. Greed plays a major role as a motive for his various schemes. Throughout the story, Iago portrays himself as a Satan figure. In many ways, Iago can compare with Satan.
These differences are created to relate to people in this generation. Iago is a very confident, devious, terrible person. For example Iago never doubts his plans. He always believes that his plans will work to convince Othello of the worst. What creates his almost perfect plan is how well he knows Othello. Iago knows what will make Othello second guess himself. What makes Iago devious is the way in which he performs his plans. He acts as if he is a best friend of Othello while he secretly attempts to ruin his life. Lastly, what makes Iago a terrible person in general is how he has no respect or care for who he hurts in the process of ruining Othello’s life. He kills his own wife, Emilia, which proves his lack of care for others. However, in a few scenes Iago can be humorous. For example in many scenes with Roderigo the audience sees a humorous way in which Iago manipulates people and lies through his teeth. On the other hand, Hugo has similar personality traits such as being devious and manipulative. In “O” Hugo sneaks around and discovers ways in which he can make Odin or others look bad without getting any blame. Hugo manipulates a boy name Roger, which like Roderigo is the one who does the dirty work. Unlike Iago, Hugo appears to have childish or jealous-like characteristics. He has ‘daddy issues’ which means he wishes that his father would approve of him the way that he does
The second character, who happens to be primary antagonist is Iago, who shows prejudice towards Othello. Shakespeare goes on to write,
Iago’s magnificent intelligence and superiority make him a very intriguing character. Iago is not just any villain that comes into a town, with a black cape and knife that scares everyone, he destroys and “kills” by using creative tactics that could only be thought of by someone who is brilliant. He deceives, strategizes, and twists the truth with amazing ease. Iago maintains his on point intelligence by staying completely unconflicted about being evil. Iago is completely committed as he states, “[He will] turn her virtue into pitch, / And… make the net / That shall enmesh them all” (II. Ii. 366-368). Iago is considered a cross between God and the Devil, as shown in the, “Divinity of Hell!” (!!. ii. 356)
Shakespeare makes a single manipulative character who realizes the way of appearance vs reality which can be dangerous to people within their environment. Iago is gone by his jealousy to achieve his evil motives, in Othello. Iago acts to be helping everyone but he is really aiming to make everyones life more difficult. His actions lead to a big tragedy and death to his family and friends (Appearance vs Reality in Othello Par.1). Shakespeare catches the readers attention by manipulating his characters abilities to recognize what is happening in reality.