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Iago Is The Protagonist In Othello

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Why Othello is the main character in Othello In Shakespeare's play “Othello” there are about four different characters that allow you to make a valid argument about why they're the true main character in Othello. These four characters are Othello,Desdemona,Iago, and Cassio. One can make the strongest argument that Othello is the main character and that the others are not the protagonist. Iago is considered by some to be the protagonist in Othello, however an argument that one can make is that he can't be the protagonist because he is the Antagonist. Iago is the antagonist to Othello as he is intentionally manipulating people to ruin Othello's life and reputation. Iago even say himself that he hates “Moor” which is a nickname for people of darker skin like Othello. In Act 1 Scene 3 Iago says “I hate the Moor. I’m devoted to my cause of hating him, just as devoted as you are to yours. So let’s join forces and get revenge.”(Act 1 Scene 3). Othello eventually finds out about Iago's deeds and realizes that Iago is his true enemy, he says “Won’t heaven strike this Iago dead? You absolute villain!”(Act 5 Scene 2). These quotes are proof Iago and Othello are enemies and that Iago is the Antagonist especially if Othello is the Protagonist. …show more content…

He possesses traits that are the exact opposite of what Othello possesses. For example, Cassio is very calm and collected unlike Othello who is very hot-headed and doesn't think much before he acts. Cassio also isn't used to physical conflict like Othello, he isn't a soldier. Iago says that Cassio does not know about “The Division of battle” and that Cassio is “Without practice in all his Soldiership”(Act 1,Scene 1). Cassio is smart but not strong unlike Othello. Cassio possessing the opposite of what Othello has brings out Othello's emotion and his character more, this leaves Cassio with the perfect role as a foil, and that is why Cassio is not the protagonist of

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In the beginning of the novel, Shakespeare describes Iago as a mastermind of manipulating others. Iago holds a grudge and resentment towards the Moor, Othello, because another soldier, lieutenant Cassio, has been promoted

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Possibly you could call him an antihero then. So what are his motives? Clearly he has some sort of vendetta against Othello, but is that racism, or rather just bitterness? Maybe it’s PTSD. Even though some people think that Iago is a diabolical villain, it’s presumably thought that he may suffer from a psychological disorder that developed during his childhood.

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Once Othello's trust is gain, Othello confides in Iago about Desdemona. By doing this Iago learns about his insecurities about his race and age gap between him and his wife. As he continued to stir up trouble with his fellow peers, he went to Othello to plant “ evidence” of Cassio infidelity. For instance, Cassio and Desdemona were having a friendly conversation, laughing and hugging, which iago went and twisted the story. However, once Othello heard the rumors he became devastated and demanded answers.

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Othello and Iago are two very similar men. Although Othello is known to have more of a caring side then Iago, they both portray jealousy and they let that jealousy take over them which is very noticeable while reading the novel. While reading the novel Iago is known as the “villain” of the play and Othello is known to be innocent, but getting more into the novel the reader can notice more similar traits between them both. When readers get to the end of the book they notice the evil features in both Othello and Iago, but in the end of the day Othello is a better person than Iago.

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In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the play is a tragedy constructed by the antagonist Iago; also known as a two-sided character. Throughout Act I, Iago is more of a complex character, who is racist, manipulative, jealous and two-faced. He continuously complains he hates Othello, all because Othello didn’t appoint him as an officer. Iago plans to take Roderigo’s money, and convince Othello that Desdemona had an affair with Cassio. Iago’s two-sided character served the purpose of strengthening the plot and character development throughout the play.

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Younger than Iago. Recently graduated to Lieutenant by Othello’s command. Recently stripped of being Lieutenant by Othello’s command. Cassio is the tool of manipulation of Othello.

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1. Introduction Shakespeare reached the peak of his dramatic art with his tragedies, especially with “Othello”. But “Othello” more than for anything else, became famous for his antagonist, Iago. Othello as the protagonist of the play is the embodiment of what we know as “the good” in people, whereas Iago is all the contrary. Iago therefore, is not only a character who tries to and destroys others because of his jealousy, but he represents the villainy, envy, and malice that exist in this world.

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From the beginning to the end of the play, Iago arranges the entire vile plan that gives rise to Othello 's destruction and demise, beginning with the exclusion of Cassio, Othello trusted lieutenant. After that, Iago being convincing Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having a relationship, a claim supported by his famous handkerchief trick. Finally, Othello kills his wife and once he discovers his error, Othello suicides. So, Iago caused the tragic series of events, he can be seen as the primary reason for Othello downfall. In fact, the play not only focuses on Othello 's tragic end but also the way Iago causes it through his elaborate deception.

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