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Character analysis essay on iago
Othello characters analysis
Othello characters analysis
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More handpicked essays just for you.
Character analysis essay on iago
Othello characters analysis
Othello characters analysis
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Iago contributes to the tragic downfall of Othello, playing him like a fiddle. The human nature of Iago manipulates the trust
Richard III, known for his charisma and skillful rhetoric, expertly exploits the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of those around him. In Act 4, Scene 2, Richard's soliloquy highlights his duplicitous nature, declaring, "I'll intermingle everything he does / With Cassio's suit" (Richard III, 4.2.73-74), demonstrating his ability to intertwine deceit within others' lives. Similarly, Iago possesses an unparalleled talent for manipulation, exploiting his victims' trust and amplifying their flaws. In Act 3, Scene 3, Iago insidiously plants the seeds of jealousy in Othello's mind, proclaiming, "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! / It is the green-eyed monster" (Othello, 3.3.165-166).
Othello’s confidence for a loyal man to maintain honesty and morals are contradicted through Iago’s actions: “in a man that’s just / They are close dilations, working from the heart, / That passion cannot rule” (3.3.123). Iago, due to the understatement to his name, is not perceivable as hateful. Othello’s willingness to sense Iago’s distress, and to believe his accusations, is because of the lack of awareness Othello has for his vengeance. Iago is of such little power and relevance within societal ranking that if he were to have intentions to sabotage anyone, which he does, are not considered, thus making him easily trustworthy to those of greater dominance. Society’s view of an individual determines how others consider and surmise their persona, though these conclusions may be false.
In the beginning of the play, we learn that Roderigo has attempted multiple times to win over Desdemona and marry her, but has ultimately failed. When he learns from Iago that Desdemona has fallen in love with Othello, he attempts to stop their relationship by alerting Brabantio with Iago. This, however, only leads to Roderigo learning of the immense amount of love that Desdemona and Othello have for one another. He realizes that because of this, and because Brabantio now approves of Desdemona’s relationship with Othello, he will never be able to court Desdemona. This leads him to go into a suicidal rant, telling Iago that “I wil incontinently drown myself” (Act 1 Scene III, line 347).
While Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli may not have been the best diplomat, however his suggestions on leading written in his book, The Prince, should be taken to the hearts of current politicians. His argument that a leader is better off feared than loved is truthful, as a good leader must be harsh in order to be obeyed. One such example of this can be seen in William Shakespeare’s Othello, exemplified by the angry Iago and his partner in crime Roderigo. Othello is perceived as an endearing, thoughtful leader by his subjects, including Iago. As seen in the first scene of the first act of the play, Iago had previously desired to be Othello’s lieutenant, only to be disappointed that he had lost to well educated Michael Cassio.
In the first act of the play, after Roderigo finds out that Othello married Desdemona, he carries out a dialogue with Iago about Iago’s discontentment with Othello, Roderigo comments, “What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe,/ If he can carry it thus!” With this, Roderigo shows his feelings of jealousy for Othello, basically stating that luck was on Othello’s side in getting Desdemona, but it will probably not last very long. In addition to this, Roderigo gives Brabantio large sums of money to Iago in order to try to get Desdemona from Othello. In addition to Roderigo’s jealousy, Iago’s jealousy of Cassio cascades to the point where he begins to manipulate Othello to want to kill Cassio, which ends up leading to the death of Desdemona. In the beginning, Iago details how he was passed up for a promotion by Othello.
Shakespeare’s Othello chronicles the downfall of a noble Moor, Othello, who is deceived by a man he considers his friend, Iago. Throughout the course of the play, Iago toys with Othello and eventually leads him to murder and lose his love, his new wife Desdemona. Iago exploits the unquestioned trust Othello places in him to achieve evil ends. As such, trust is a central theme in the story.
Roderigo, is a young and rich man. He becomes furious when he finds out that Othello marries Desdemona. Once again we see how emotions take over the characters and commit foolish decisions. Roderigo is so in love with Desdemona that he gives all of his money to Iago because Iago promised him that he would help him win Desdemona’s love. Iago once again betrays another one of his victim.
Iago tells Roderigo to pack up all his things and go to Cyprus because Desdemona will son lose feelings for Othello and she will go to Roderigo, he says “i could never better stead thee than now. Put money in thy purse. Follow thou the wars, defeat thy favor with an usurped beard. I say, put money in thy purse.
Unfortunately, he trusted the wrong person due to his growing lack of self-esteem. Iago, a hypocrite who hid his evil thoughts by appearing as a man of extreme honesty, saw that he could erode Othello’s self-esteem because of who he was, a moor living in European society. He realized he could manipulate Othello for his own evil ends. He slyly used pathos to gain his trust, saying, “My Lord, you know I love you” (III.iii.118) to convince him of his honesty and reliability. Then he suggested the unpredictable nature of Desdemona by saying, “Ay, there’s the point: as, to be bold with you, not to affect many proposed matches of her own clime, complexion, and degree, whereto we see in all things nature tends - Foh!”
“Othello” written by William Shakespeare revolves around this protagonist who is depicted as strong and powerful. To everyone he is known as Othello or the Moor. Throughout the play, Shakespeare portrays numerous counts of jealousy and manipulation around many of the characters. It is mainly illustrated through Iago, the antagonist of the play, who manipulates other to their downfall. Iago who is known for always being true and honest towards others has easily earned the trust of everyone around him, thus giving himself an advantage on his schemes.
Roderigo also feels that same very fear Othello does, as he is talking with Iago after the Duke and senators leave the room, he states, “It is silliness to live when to live is torment” (Othello I,iii, 303). Roderigo is heart broken at having witness to Brabantio- Desdemona’s father- giving his blessing to Othello and Desdemona’s marriage, for he was so in love with Desdemona, it simply makes him want to die to not have her, in fear that he has lost her forever to the Moor general. Roderigo is so in love with the Venetian woman, that he would do whatever he could- even die to have her, no cost whether money or his own life- could get in his way. These two- envy and fear- power jealous up
In the play Othello, William Shakespeare creates an elaborate tragedy with various in depth characters, enhancing the story with powerful characterization. Iago, the main antagonist of Othello, exemplifies Shakespeare’s use of characterization to create in depth and complex characters. Using his manipulative nature, intellectual mind, egotistical attitude, and dishonesty, Iago controls the other characters in order to achieve his goal, leading Othello to succumb to an overwhelming jealousy causing his downfall. In order for Iago to gain control of the characters in the play, he manipulates Othello, Roderigo, Cassio, and more to believe false information and turn on one another.
Human nature is perceived as a delightful entity. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, several characters demonstrate the dark side of human nature and display how simple it is to get carried away with emotions. This includes Iago, who only cares for himself, Brabantio who has many doubts, and Roderigo who lacks intellect. Firstly, Iago demonstrates the dark side of human nature by being self-centered.
Using the character of Roderigo, Iago manipulates him into doing everything he wants. At the beginning of the tragedy, Iago and Roderigo are talking poorly about Othello. Roderigo, who is in love with Desdemona, is upset due to hearing that Othello and Desdemona have recently married. Iago, who just found out Othello did not give him