Understanding Iago's Hatred Towards Othello

Understanding Iago's Hatred Towards Othello

a) Iago hates Othello because he made a young Cassio his

second-in-command. Iago feels greatly aggrieved that he was overlooked

for promotion by the moor and instead Cassio was promoted to

Lieutenant. Othello had fought in battles with Iago, thus he feels

betrayed that he was not promoted by his comrade. Iago actually said

about the reasons for his hatred in part “g” (p55 line 426-447). Those

reason are rational enough for his hatred, but they are not rational

for his acts what he did after.

b) Iago fools everyone in the play to reach his goals. He only gets

away with this because they trust him, his lie (his “poison”) works,

and this protects him from any questioning. He uses this to his own

benefit, talking Cassio into pleading with Desdemona and inducing

Othello to believe that Desdemona is having an affair. Throughout the

play Iago is described as an "honest" man, which to the audience seems

ironic because really everything the man says they know to be a lie.

2) Iago tries to convince Othello that Desdemona is having an affair

with Cassio. Iago forms the plan that Cassio will be target. Cassio

and Desdemona are friendly to each other and Iago can see how this

could appear to be more than just friendship. Iago knows that this

will outrage Othello and Cassio will want to redeem himself. Iago has

planted the circumstances for Cassio to plead with Desdemona so that

she will speak to Othello on Cassio's behalf. Iago knows that

Desdemona will take up Cassio's plight for she is a good person. "I

will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me". Desdemona

doesn't realise that Ia...

... middle of paper ...

...the villain's work.

5) One of the powerful statements in the play is words of Othello: "I

must be found: / my parts, my title and my perfect soul / shall

manifest me rightly" (1.2.30-32). Those words open him completely.

Othello is not about to hide something. I think that this statement

sums up the most important about Othello. His "parts" are his merits,

his worth; his "title" is his position as general of the Venetian

army; his "perfect soul" is his clear conscience in his marriage to

Desdemona. These will "manifest" him, show what he really is. He has

no reason to hide. This statement said in the first act of the play

predicts everything which happens later. It calculates that telling

Othello to hide is likely to have the opposite effect. Iago knew it

and used this knowledge, which ended so dramatically at last.