Is seeing really believing? In Shakespeare’s Othello that certainly appears to be the case, as the main protagonist, Othello, believes the false evidence that his lying ancient, Iago, has provided to prove his wife's infidelity, but not his wife’s own promise of faithfulness. Othello’s misunderstanding thus leads to tragedy, as like many of Shakespeare’s other protagonists, Othello is unaware that his flaw is fatal and will take down many others too. But what can destroy a man such as him, who seemed to have it all? Jealousy. Like the green-eyed monster that it is, jealousy can take away everything at once. And Othello’s jealousy is fueled by his inferiority complex, Iago's own resentment, and his scheme to manipulation of everyone.
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Throughout the play, Iago offers many incentives for his ill will towards Othello and his lieutenant. He tells Desdemona’s suitor, Roderigo, that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia, and that the position of lieutenant was supposed to appointed to him-the list goes on. Yet, all these petty excuses portray Iago’s own jealousy, as he is commanded around by someone, who in Iago’s opinion, should not have any power. Othello is a Moor, and therefore should be as such, no matter if he is a general and a war hero. And to top it all of, Othello has won the heart of one of the fairest in Venice, Desdemona. Iago envies Othello’s life, as he seems to be accepted in the upper society that Iago will never belong to. Then there is Cassio. Iago describes Cassio as “a Florentine...that never set a squadron in the field...mere prattle, without practice is all his soldiership” (1.1.21-28). Cassio is an inexperienced soldier, who still has yet to truly make a reputation for himself, yet Iago is still jealous of him because of a position title he received. If Othello had given Iago the position, would Iago have been satisfied? Probably not, as Iago seems to enjoy being miserable. He is a truly evil character who gets fulfillment out of seeing those who are above him- in this case, Cassio and Othello- and watching as their lives are destroyed to the point where it cannot be salvaged. Unfortunately, Desdemona must be included in Iago’s plot too, as she is the link that ties it all together. Does Iago want revenge on Desdemona? Not necessarily, but Iago holds a grudge on all of womankind for their “wily” ways, as evident when he tells Othello “I know our country disposition well. In Venice they do let (God) see the pranks they dare not show their husbands” (3.3. 232-34). Iago believes that all women are unfaithful, and does not care if he ruins Desdemona’s reputation as a good wife if it means crushing
He's a horrible man that only thinks of himself. At first Iago is angry that Othello didn't give him the position of lieutenant, then he thinks Othello slept with his wife. “Call up her father, rouse him: -make after him, poison his delight.” (Act 1, sc 1, lines 71-72) he says to Roderigo. He wants Desdemona's father to know about her running away with Othello, in order to get Othello in trouble. It's in Cyprus that Iago brings his evil plan into play.Then, while in Cyprus he becomes even more paranoid: thinking, even more, people have been with his wife. He says to Cassio “Sir, would she give you so much of her lips as of her tongue she oft bestows on me.” (Act 2, sc 1, lines 110-111). This is when he accuses Cassio of being with his wife just like Othello. He also finally expresses how he feels about other characters when he’s in Cyprus. Iago admits that Othello is noble and loving, he loves Desdemona and hates Cassio. He wants to take down and get even with both Cassio and Othello and doesn't care that in doing so he will be harming Desdemona. He seems to get joy out of the pain he causes. Iago is able to make Othello question his trust in Cassio and Desdemona.
Iago’s persistence and villainous intentions made Othello become jealous of Cassio and break down his emotions towards Desdemona and want to kill her with fierce rage. Othello would not do such a crime if he knew it was a lie because Othello loves Desdemona and would die for her. Othello was madly in love with Desdemona and they were compassionate for each other, but he was misguided and confused with jealousy and hatred which steered him off course to his sinister fate. Othello cannot be justified as a bad person because of one incident, especially after all the great things he’s done and achieved for the city. Iago is the real antagonist and has become the bad man of the play as his roles are to protect the crown in which was Othello and stay loyal to fellow soldiers but throughout the play he was the complete opposite with characteristics such as being a liar, un loyal to every character in the play.
As early as the first scene of the play Iago shows us strong motives for his actions. In this first scene we see Othello, a general of Venice, has made Cassio his new lieutant. Iago feels he truly deserves his promotion as he says "I know my price, I am worth more no worse a place."(l.i.12) Iago over here is confused why Othello has made such a stupid decision. Iago is a man with a tremendous ego who knows, sometimes overestimates, his worth. Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman, understands Iago when Iago said that he is "affined to love the Moor."(l.i.41-42) What Iago really means is "I follow him to serve my term upon him."(l.i.45) Iago wants to use Othello for his personal goals. We also must put ourselves into Iago's shoes. He is a man whose self-esteem and professional carrier have just been torn apart. Iago makes his actions of revenge toward Othello almost immediately by informing Brabantio, a Venetian senator and father of Desdemona, that "an old black ram (Othello) is tupping (his) white ewe (Desdemona)."(l.i.97)
When many people decided to sit down and read a book or a play it is because the title or summary entices them. As the story comes to an end it is decided whether or not the person related to or understood the point of the literature. Great authors and playwrights know this and set in place concepts. Many different concepts, to catch different audiences attention and to deepen the understanding of the literature. In order to understand Shakespeare’s play Othello, it is necessary to examine the emotions of jealousy, manipulation, being consumed by something, and gender.
As we become more familiar with Iago’s character, his motives become more apparent. Once we learn of Cassio’s promotion, Iago’s jealousy and his resentfulness toward Cassio become unmistakable. At the beginning, the motive for Iago’s focus on Othello is vague, but later we learn of Iago’s belief that Othello has had an affair with Emilia. However, it is the belief of some that Iago had no true motive. The reason behind the entire plot was that he was plain evil.
In the play Othello, there are many jealous and selfish characters. Each of the characters at one point or another let their jealousy take over. It seems like they all have these plots and plans on how to hurt another character in the play either physically or emotionally, as an act of selfishness, so that they can feel better about themselves. One main character who seems extremely jealous in this play is Iago. Infact, probably the most jealous. Many bad things happen because of Iago. The first bad thing that Iago did, was tell Barbantio (Desdamona's father) that Desdemona has married Othello, the Moore. Iago was mad at Othello, because Cassio had made Othello a higher position and not Iago. Iago thought that he was the one who qualified for the position as general, not Othello. Iago was jealous because of this, so he decided to tell Barbantio about Desdemona and Othello. This was bad, because Barbantio did not know yet, and something like that should have been said by his own daughter, not someone who was not part of the family. The way Iago went about telling him was also bad. He called to his house in the middle of the night. He yelled it to Barbantio from downstairs into his window in a rude manner. " quote from Othello here." He wanted Barbantio to be upset about what had happened, and most of all, he wanted Barbantio to be mad at Othello and do something bad to him.
Literary Analysis Jealousy can do horrible things to people, and It could even cause their death as Marleen states, “Love sees sharply, hatred sees even more sharp, but Jealousy sees the sharpest for it is love and hate at the same time” In Othello by William Shakespeare, Othello caused Desdamona’s death because she never thought of running away when Othello was getting jealous and wanted to kill her. Desdemona's love made her ignore Othello's jealousy. The theme of jealousy is demonstrated in the play by Iago and Othello.
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock.The meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss. Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er. Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves” (3.3.163-168). In Shakespeare’s Othello, jealousy is the common theme that becomes Othello’s undoing. Through text in the play, the audience can notice Othello slowly begin to become crazed through his speech.
Iago has a deep understanding of his victims, having a complete understanding of their behavior and beliefs. To begin with, Iago is jealous of the fact that Cassio is now second in command, as he believes that he is more fit for the job as he says: One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, A fellow almost damned in a fair wife, That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows More than a spinster—unless the bookish theorist (Acts 21-31) Iago develops an instant hate for Cassio as he took the job that Iago believes he truly Iago also creates a new profound hate for Othello for not recognizing that he is more worthy and has more qualification for the job, resulting in the start of his plans to destroy Othello and Cassio. This was the start of the downfall of many characters.
Above all, at the pivotal point in the play, it is Othello, ultimately who determines the outcome of his raged jealousy. But, his anger towards Desdemona and Cassio, leaves him very little of another option, but to continue his plan. Othello demands that he will "make me to see 't” (3.3.364) “or woe upon thy life!" (3.3.366) and this expresses his emotions, such as his love for Desdemona. Furthermore, when Othello says “when I love thee not” (3.3.91) “chaos is come again" (3.3.92) , it can be seen as how Othello feels towards his insecurity due to his race. Iago uses Othello 's position of a "stranger from here and everywhere" (1.1.136-137) to exploit his insecurities; he says that "in Venice they do let God see the pranks” (3.3.202) “they dare not show their husbands" (3.3.203). As Othello is not a Venetian, he cannot defend himself from this accusation of his wife. Therefore, jealousy might be a result of the insecurity that he is feeling, but also caused by Iago who takes advantage of
Now maybe Iago didn’t necessarily want the death of Desdemona or even the death of Cassio. All the reader knows Iago’s true intention was to take Cassio’s position. That’s not to say Iago isn’t responsible for their death. Because all of his actions up to this point have ultimately caused their fate and misfortune. Iago didn’t even try to kill Cassio himself he convinced Roderigo to do it. Iago doesn’t like Cassio but doesn’t have the motivation to kill him. After Desdemona died Iago’s wife told Othello everything. Iago immediately killed his wife. After it was all said and done Iago remained silent. Iago doesn’t show any remorse or regret for his actions. There is no way of knowing for sure what Iago was thinking or felt at the
Iago is a very strategic and clever person, and he despises Othello because Othello appointed Cassio as a lieutenant over Iago. He plans to ruin Othello’s life by ruining his relationship with Desdemona. He starts off by telling Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, of Othello and Desdemona’s secret marriage. Iago goes to
Jealousy can sometimes be an inevitable feeling to have towards other people in relationships or even in friendships, and that feeling can negatively affect the bonds with these certain people. One of the main themes in Shakespeare’s Othello, was how friendships and marriages can be ruined all because of one person’s jealousy, which can ring true in real life.
Jealousy is such an emotion that every human faces once in their life. It often arises when someone wishes to have something someone else does or want to be like someone else because of which many peoples’ personality changes. Jealousy is a corrosive emotion that deteriorates not only one’s character, health, and relationship but it also causes extreme irrationality which can lead to death. This shows that envy/jealousy is more volatile than most people presume and therefore should be prevented whenever possible.
"I follow him to serve my turn upon him," said Iago (9:45). From the beginning of the story Iago has a cruel intent bent on destroying Othello merely because the job that he sought after was given to young Cassio. Exactly why his hatred burns so bright is unclear because it was not uncommon to lose a position to another soldier. With or without reasonable justification for revenge, Iago immediately starts to tear Othello apart by informing Brabantio (Desdemon's father, Othello;s wife) that she is out with a black ram and committing unjust acts. As time progresses Iago becomes more wrapped up in his lies that he even begins to believe that Othello has slept with his own wife, Emelia, and now he has even more reason to hate "the Moor", "I hate the Moor and it is thought abroad that `twixt my sheets `has done my office"( 55:429-431). Iago is so obsessed with his revenge on Othello that he does not care what happens to anyone else so long as he is happy. In the process of hurting Othello he manages to have Roderigo killed, Cassio severely injured, his own wife Emelia is slain by his own hands, Desdemona dies at the hands of her husband Othello, and after everything Othello kills himself. Sadly Iago accomplishes his revenge but with so many casualties and then he himself is tortured and killed for his part in the great conspiracy, but before he is punished he has to see that Cassio will be the one to take Othello's place (a strange irony since it was Cassio that Iago was jealous of).