Similarities And Differences Between Iago And Othello

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Iago and Polonius are two Shakespearean characters. Polonius appears in Hamlet and Iago in Othello. These two men share many qualities, such as their attitude towards women and their position in society, but they also have some very important differences, like how they use their positions, their diction and style of speaking, and what fates meet them in the plays. The differences, although sometimes very slight, ultimately create two very different characters. Iago, has a more direct role in the outcome of Othello and Polonius influences the conclusion of Hamlet through a lack of his presence. Both Polonius and Iago are extremely sexist towards women. Neither man believes women to be independent and both consider them to be weak. Polonius displays his sexist views through his interactions with his daughter, Ophelia. Ophelia, being a woman of delicate nature and easily manipulated, is criticized by Polonius and employed by him in order to establish Hamlet 's depressed mental state. Polonius chastises Ophelia by saying to her, "You do not …show more content…

As Othello 's ensign, Iago is extremely infuriated, because Othello failed to make him his lieutenant. Iago 's two-faced relationship with Othello is beneficial to Iago; Othello trusts Iago and is easily manipulated by him. Throughout the play, Iago tries to influence Othello every chance he gets. The trust that Othello placed in Iago ultimately leads to his demise. Iago cunningly convinced Othello that Cassio was having some kind of intimate relationship with his wife, Desdemona. He warned Othello, "Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio," and with this Iago quickly tightens his reigns on Othello and is able to manipulate Othello to his will (Othello 3.3.197). So, unlike Polonius ' relationship with the king and queen, where Polonius was loyal to his superiors, Iago was conniving and planned against

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