The Nature Of Evil In Othello
analytical Essay
910 words
Waycaster 1
Maddison Waycaster
Professor Rescher
English 201
1 April 2016
Iago's Evil Nature 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.
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare creates an atmosphere where iago can keep the reader's attention on each and every scene throughout the entire play, as one tries to figure out his true intentions.
- Analyzes how iago's true intentions and attitude are uncovered in act one scene one, line sixty-seven when he says to roderigo, "i am not what i am."
- Analyzes how iago creates the look of a trustworthy person, but is actually manipulative and shrewd. in othello, he is the antagonist.
- Analyzes how iago lies to anyone and everyone in order to get what he wants. he is a compelling person, which is why othello gets caught up in him.
- Analyzes how waycaster 3 iago is remarkably good at manipulating othello through roderigo and brabanito so that the individuals whom he beguiles have no idea as to what his true intentions are.
- Analyzes how iago's evil, lying nature makes it effortless for him to manipulate roderigo to get what he wants from othello.
- Analyzes how iago hates othello, cassio, and the want for power. he believed he was a strong, capable candidate to feel the position of general's second in command.
He is capable of twisting and turning the truth around in a many of ways to make others fall into his traps. Although it is easy for the audience to see that Iago is a masked villain, the cast is clueless. This is an example of dramatic irony. Iago is a compelling person, which is why it is so easy for the other characters in the play such as Othello, to get caught up in him. Iago wants Othello's position as the American general in the Venetian Army. He is extremely jealous that this title is not in front of him and the fact that the title belongs to a black man does nothing but anger Iago even more. Iago hankers for this position so badly that he develops a pseudo personality and tells a plethora of lies while in the presence of Iago in order to get what he wants, and this, in turn, ends in …show more content…
Roderigo is so blinded that he does not even realize that Iago steals from him. Iago is able to keep Iago distracted from his threats by keeping the plan to capture Desdemona's heart fresh in his mind. Iago's evil, lying nature makes it effortless for him to manipulate Roderigo so that he can easily and efficiently get what he wants from Othello. Not only does Iago hate Othello, he also has a strong hatred for Cassio. His hatred for Cassio also has to do with the want for power. There was a position open under Othello and the two soldiers it came down to when considering who may receive the position were Cassio and Iago. Iago believed he worked extremely hard to earn the position, and he considered himself to be a strong, capable candidate to feel the position of general's second in command. Iago is not able to understand why Cassio was given the position over him because Cassio is a math guy, and Iago thinks of himself as the next
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- Iago's Characters Against Othelloanalytical essayIago is the main antagonists against Othello, throughout the entire play. Iago is not realistically motivated. Even though Iago makes many of his decisions with careful thought, he does have a main flaw that will come back to haunt him in the end. Iago unlike other characters, doesn’t have true honorable morals. Because of this, he makes many situations which are manageable, and takes them further out of proportion he does this for his own pure enjoyment to create havoc for sport. Iago manipulates the characters who trust too easily, such are Roderigo and Othello. Iago uses them as an addition to his plans, which he manages so they will work in his favor in the end, or so he believes they will.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how iago, unlike other characters, doesn't have true honorable morals. he manipulates the characters who trust too easily, such as roderigo and othello.
- Analyzes how iago's lust for power and his belief that he is superior to others are not realistic motives to cause as much harm. jealousy makes the rage for his hatred go as far as killing the people who trust in him.
- Analyzes how iago hates othello out of pure jealousy, which is not realistic motive to hate a man.
- Analyzes how iago feels the need of his manipulation to go as far as to change his morals in front of othello.
- Analyzes how iago's jealousy and lust for what others have do not give him the right to have realistic motives. he undermined cassio and othello by poisoning his mind with thoughts of pain.
824 wordsRead More - 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
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how iago is one of the most complex characters in shakespeare's othello. he is a devil bent on destroying the lives of everyone around him.
- Analyzes how iago is a master manipulator and plays on the weaknesses of other characters and uses them to his advantage, regardless of the collateral damage.
- Analyzes iago's prejudice against women and sexist ways when desdemona and cassio first arrive on cyprus.
- Analyzes how iago is a liar that excels at telling other characters only the information that he needs them to know.
- Analyzes how iago is a manipulating, sneering, lying man driven by jealousy to get what he wants. his manipulative nature, lack of respect for others, and lying ways make him the opposite of honest.
1042 wordsRead More - A discussion of villains from the texts Othello, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Hamlet by William Shakespeareanalytical essayIn a story, there will always be a villain or a protagonist, which makes the story what it is. Without the conflicts or problems that the villains start, there really wouldn’t be any stories, or if there were they would be boring because nothing dramatic would happen in them. William Shakespeare wrote many plays that had villains or protagonists in them, and because of this his plays were very appealing to the audience to sit and watch them. Some of the plays that Shakespeare wrote include the texts Othello, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Hamlet, all which have a villain or protagonist in the story line.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that shakespeare wrote many plays that had villains or protagonists in them, which appealed to the audience to sit and watch.
- Analyzes how iago is the villain of shakespeare's play othello. he represents evil and cruelty for its own sake.
- Analyzes how puck, or robin goodfellow, can be thought of as a villain even though he isn't purposefully doing wrong in shakespeare's play midsummer night’s dream.
- Analyzes how claudius, from the text hamlet, is the most awful evil villain of the three texts discussed. he does something awful to the king, which is also his brother, just so he can become the king of denmark.
- Explains that shakespeare wrote many plays that had villains or protagonists in them, including iago, puck, and claudius. each play has its own villain, or evil character.
- Describes the works of jameson, lee, jarret, brittney, lopez, vincente, and amanda mabillard.
725 wordsRead More - Iago as the Hero of Shakespeare's Othelloanalytical essayA Shakespearean play always includes a typical villain character. He is boisterous, egotistical, sometimes witty, and all too eager to seek revenge. In William Shakespeare Othello, Iago is the well-liked, trusted, and brave ensign of the great Venetian general Othello, or so it appears. Iago actually possesses all of the typical villainous qualities, however Iago conducts himself with great composure, and by manipulating his counterparts, he makes people believe he is on their side. I find this characteristic to be a very intriguing one that is not easy to perform. It is perhaps Iago's villainous actions throughout this play that lead me to believe that he is the hero rather than the typical villain.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes iago as the hero of othello, a shakespearean play that always includes the typical villain character — he is boisterous and egotistical, sometimes witty, and eager to seek revenge.
- Analyzes how iago uses his brilliance to capture the attention of the people, both onstage and off.
- Analyzes how iago uses convincing words to get roderigo to think he would win the new bride's heart if only by telling the father.
- Analyzes how iago makes his character look calm, cool, and good-hearted in act 1 scene 2.
- Analyzes how iago lacks the traits of a wicked man, and cassio's evil side in the next scene.
- Analyzes how othello's monologue teaches the audience that he hates the moor, and that his actions towards him are fake.
- Analyzes how othello is thanking iago for his advice about cassio's wrongdoing towards his wife, desdemona, while he addresses her by telling her that the man she loves is dying.
- Analyzes how iago was in command of the characters around him, and his audiences attention. his plan worked and othello lost all trust in desdemona.
- Opines that it is necessary for a prince, who wishes to maintain himself, to learn how not to be good and to use this knowledge and not use it according to the necessity of the case.
- Analyzes how machiavelli explains that all men must commit wrongdoing if they are going to be good men. iago is smarter than everyone else, and he knows how to act in ways that will trick people.
- Cites bloom, harold, and jones, eldred. "the tragedy of othello the moor of venice."
1305 wordsRead More - Othelloanalytical essayAs Iago's role in the play begins to define itself, the plays main theme, which is jealousy, also begins to develop. Iago's role is unclear to the reader in the first scene. He appears to be an honest, trustworthy soldier who was angry because he was overlooked for a promotion. However, the reader later finds out that he is a "malignant and destructive plotter" and would do anything to destroy Othello and anyone close to him (Epstein 381). The fact that he is an evil character remains undetected by the rest of the characters in the play. "The other characters actually call Iago honest fifteen times throughout the entire play" (Campbell 156). Iago is jealous and resentful of Othello in everyway and uses this festering hatred to infect and destroy Othello. He filled Othello's mind with thoughts of deceit and betrayal until his unwarranted jealousy towards his beautiful, trusting, and innocent wife blinded Othello himself.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how iago's role in othello begins to define itself, and the plays main theme, which is jealousy, starts to develop.
- Analyzes how iago serves as the antagonist and the vehicle by which the play progresses. he forces characters into taking actions they never would have considered.
- Analyzes how iago's behavior is irrational, and how he riled up emotions in othello that sent him into fits.
- Analyzes how othello's foolish pride and trust in his men turned him into a web of lies, corruption, and jealousy. iago was able to use the characters strengths against them.
- Opines that iago's villainous behavior was an interesting change from most of the villains of today.
- Analyzes how iago was more than just a villain in this play. he brought emotions out embedded deep into othello's soul.
650 wordsRead More - Othello by William Shakespeareanalytical essay"Tush, never tell me! I take it much unkindly/ that thou, Iago, who hast had my purse/ as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this./" (I. i. 1-3) From the beginning of Othello, Iago is portrayed as an antagonist, a villain who acts out of only his own interest. The acts that Iago engages in throughout Shakespeare's Othello are erroneous acts. Iago is not insane and he can comprehend the difference between right and wrong. Shakespeare is known for his ability to focus on human flaws and teach us lessons from their misfortune. Iago's destiny with evil is due to his own flaws, jealousy, selfishness, and deceit. Because of these insecurities, Iago will stop at nothing to get even with Othello. By the end of the play, Iago becomes blind to all other aspects of life and solely focuses on his enemy. By using and exploiting others' flaws, Iago pollutes all with his deceit and lies, turning them against each other to get what he wants. This evil villain makes sure he gets what he wants by taking advantage of the gullible characters no matter what the cost.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how iago's jealousy is depicted early when he is suspicious of othello pursuing his own wife, emilia.
- Analyzes how othello told iago he loved desdemona and gave up his freedom and love for the sea's worth — his naiveness exposed his tragic flaw and fogged his mind.
- Analyzes how iago is portrayed as an antagonist, a villain who acts out of only his own interest. he is not insane and can comprehend the difference between right and wrong.
- Analyzes how iago planted doubts in othello's mind concerning her "unchaste" lifestyle. he chose to believe this false story and his marriage was destroyed.
- Analyzes how iago is a deceitful puppeteer driven by selfishness. he is the one who runs the show making the characters say what he wants to hear with his cunning ways.
972 wordsRead More - Othelloanalytical essayIn the story of Othello we see how the actions of one man go on to ruin the lives of multiple people. The villain Iago single-handedly creates the tragedy of Othello through his puppeteer like control of the other characters in the play. Iago captivates the audience as his plan progresses. Readers are anxious to know what will happen next in the play. What makes Iago so fascinating is his mysteriousness as a character, his fully devious ways, and how magnificently clever he is in organizing the demise of Othello.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the villain iago creates the tragedy of othello through his puppeteer like control of the other characters in the play.
- Analyzes how iago is a fascinating character because there is little known about him. he is married to desdemona's hand maiden, emilia.
- Analyzes how iago's clever and sly ways of manipulating his environment change him from a dislikeable villain to an almost anti-hero character.
- Analyzes iago's mystery behind his actions, fully evil intentions, and cunningness throughout shakespeare’s tragedy are what makes him a fascinating character to readers.
- Analyzes how iago, unlike many villains that shakespeare writes about, has zero remorse or morally redeeming characteristics. he uses roderigo for his fortunes to fund his attack on othello.
708 wordsRead More - Shakespeare's Othelloanalytical essayIn everyones life there is always the one person who you think you can trust, and later come to find that they have been playing you all along. This is the exact case for Othello. Iago, whom Othello thought was a person he could trust, betrayed him in many horrific ways.As you read the famous Shakespearian play, Othello, the Moor of VeniceI, you come to realise pretty quickly that Iago is the evil charecter in this play. The readers do not actually get to see a good side of Iago, if there is any, because he is constantly using and playing people. Readers will also come to learn that no matter how evil Iago may be perceived as that he is very much a coward, using other people to do most of his dirty work for him.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how othello's character, iago, betrayed him in many horrific ways in the famous shakespearian play.
- Analyzes how the story of othello begins in venice when roderigo and iago discuss desdemona's marriage to a moor, enraged by this news, decides that he has more than one reason to hate him.
- Narrates how iago tries to hide his hatred towards othello, but before brabantio finds him, he accuses him of kidnapping his daughter and using witchcraft to seduce her.
- Narrates how iago, rodrigo, desdemona, and emilia arrive on a ship together, as their boat docks, they spot the ship that othello is on.
- Analyzes how iago's first soliloquy states that the first step to defeating othello is to eliminate cassio.
- Analyzes how iago tells the audience that he will frame cassio and desdemona as being in love, which will make othello extremely jealous.
- Analyzes how desdemona begs othello to forgive cassio and make him his lieutenant once again, a sure sign that they are having an affair.
- Analyzes how emilia sneaks into the room and steals a handkerchief from desdemona and othello. iago is ecstatic about it, and he knows how to use it against him.
- Analyzes how iago takes the handkerchief and places it in the room of cassio as evidence to his supposed affair with desdemona.
- Analyzes how othello becomes enraged with desdemona, and jealous of cassio, that he convulses upon the floor. when iago tells him to be hidden to retrieve the story of des
- Analyzes how othello yells at desdemona stating that she is a whore. later, iago tells rodrigo that the next step in the plan is to kill cassio.
- Analyzes how othello kills desdemona, and then realises that she was telling the truth all along. iago ends up murdering emilia and tries to flee, but is stopped by lodovico and montano.
- Opines that iago is a conniving coward who wants to have all of the power that he can get his hands on, no matter what the cost.
1330 wordsRead More - Iago, The Villain In Shakespeare's Othelloanalytical essayIago, the villain in Shakespeare’s Othello, is a character that builds up anger throughout the play. As the play continues, Iago seeks to destroy all those in his path. However, it is not clear what motivates Iago to go as far as he does. When he has destroyed Cassio’s reputation he could have secured his partnership with Othello and lived on happily. Instead of being happy to take Cassio’s position, Iago wants to mess up Othello’s life by tricking him into thinking Desdemona has cheated on him. This random desire to destroy others’ lives is a huge part of Iago’s character.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how iago, the villain in shakespeare's othello, builds up anger throughout the play. he seeks to destroy all those in his path, but it is not clear what motivates him to go as far as he does.
- Analyzes how iago's motivation to mess with the other characters comes from. he feels like he needs to get even with othello for cheating with his wife.
- Analyzes how iago's lack of self-understanding proves to the reader that he is an evil character with no self understanding.
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses the other characters cluelessness to reveal the true traits of disloyal iago.
- Analyzes how shakespeare's othello revolves around iago’s character, which fuels the tragic elements and reveals his true self and deep thoughts more than any other character.
523 wordsRead More - Shakespeare's Othello - The Motivations of Iago in Othelloanalytical essayAs 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)
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the motivations of iago in william shakespeare's othello. he is able to keep his true thoughts and motives from everyone.
- Analyzes how iago shows strong motives for his actions as early as the first scene of the play.
- Analyzes how iago's motive is to break the bond between othello and desdemona.
- Analyzes how iago tries to assure himself of cassio's true love for desdemona in 1.ii. he acts more as a human than an evil monster.
- Analyzes how iago's claim of love for desdemona has a nonsexual implication. his motive is to seek revenge and get even with othello.
- Analyzes how iago is an egotistical man whose self-esteem is hurt. his ability to conceal his true thoughts enables him to plot his revenge.
799 wordsRead More