Othello And Lady Macbeth Comparison Essay

William Shakespeare wanted his audience to see the idea that a person is nurtured into being the way he or she is by ambition. Being nurtured means the character growth will be influenced by an outside force. Shakespeare has this reoccurring theme in Othello and Macbeth. This is shown through Iago in Othello, and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth. Iago and Lady Macbeth want power and they use their charm to manipulate others. They differ from one another when it comes to guilt, and compassion. Comparing and contrasting Iago and Lady Macbeth will show the ideas of good and evil portrayed in these two plays. Iago and Lady Macbeth have many similarities. They were both nurtured into being the way they are. They both want to control and have power, use their charm to manipulate others to get what they want, make others do their dirty work for them, and will destroy other

While Iago had no guilt of what he had done, Lady Macbeth’s guilt caused her death. Lady Macbeth still showed compassion, but Iago had no compassion. After everything Iago had done, and after every life he destroyed he showed the audience no remorse. Iago states that “Every way makes my gain” (Shakespeare 78). Iago sends Roderigo to kill Cassio, and Iago says to himself that no matter who dies he will still have the upper hand. His ambition to ruin Cassio to get promoted nurtures Iago into doing evil throughout the course of the play. The difference between Iago and Lady Macbeth is that after everything she had done, she showed the audience her guilty conscience. Lady Macbeth says, “Out, damned spot” (Shakespeare 179)! Her guilty conscience made her constantly worry that the other characters would find out what had actually happened to King Duncan. Her ambition to kill Duncan to become queen nurtured her into doing evil throughout the play. Iago had no compassion for anyone, yet Lady Macbeth showed compassion for her