Critical Analysis of Iago's Soliloquy in Act 2 Scene 3 of Othello by William Shakespeare

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Critical Analysis of Iago's Soliloquy in Act 2 Scene 3 of Othello by William Shakespeare

Iago’s second soliloquy is very revealing. It shows him shaping a

plan out of the confusion of his emotionally charged thoughts. Iago

examines his own thoughts, especially his hatred for Othello: “The

Moor, howbeit that I endure him not” He is also suffering from the

“poisonous mineral” of jealousy that still swirls around the rumour

that Othello has slept with Emilia. Iago could get his revenge by

seducing Desdemona: “Now I do love her too … But partly led to diet

my revenge, for that I do suspect the lusty Moor Hath leaped into my

seat, the thought whereof doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my

inwards”.

Iago uses the word “love” here in a very cynical, free way, making it

a combination of lust towards Desdemona and seeking power over

Othello, Cassio and Desdemona. At first he sees his seduction of

Desdemona as his revenge: “Till I am evened with him, wife for wife”.

Then Iago realizes that the jealousy that torments him is t...

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