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Power And Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello

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“Iago belongs to a select group of villains in Shakespeare who, while plausibly motivated in human terms, also take delight in evil for its own sake” (Bevington, 2014, p 607). Understanding his sense of self might reveal another tragedy regarding how egos across the human condition demonstrate unique frailness. “Critics often debate Iago's motives. What drives him to act as he does? Some people believe Iago is simply, but purely, evil, doing immoral things merely to be bad” (Hacht, 2007, p, 657). In Shakespeare’s (1610-11/2014) “Othello, the Moor of Venice” we find a variety of clues alluding to “Iago’s sense of self or self-image through his demonstrations of jealousy and revenge emerging from his perceptions of loss of power associated with a missed promotion (pp. 611-655). Power and Jealousy …show more content…

“I follow him to serve my turn upon him. We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Cannot be truly followed” (Shakespeare, 1610-11/2014, 1.1.44-46, Iago, p.612). He seems to allude to readers that he has a plan to vindicate himself while apparently asserting that Othello might possess the leadership skills readers might assume. “Iago tells us also of the reasons for his jealousy and proposed revenge, all of them sexual: he claims that both Cassio and Othello have seduced his wife, Emilia, a warm-hearted, simple woman” (Jorgensen, 1985, p. 59). Readers can see the jealous sense of contempt in the monologue below. “I hate the Moor; And it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets He’s done my office” (Shakespeare, 1610-11/2014, 1.3.397, Iago, p.620). At this point in the production, readers might question if his thoughts find substance in his suspicions or known facts. “Iago goes on to concede the unlikelihood of his charge” (Bevington, 2014, p

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Though given the nickname “Honest Iago”, his acts throughout William Shakespeare's, Othello, is not so honest. Iago is an intelligent, convincing, and manipulative man. He enjoys feeding off of people's misery especially when something is in it for him. His intelligence allows him to convince people using the sway of his words so fluently and make them blind to the truth by eluting them with false appearances and telling half truths. This allows him to numerous characters throughout Othello by using their personal beliefs, jealous tendencies, and misleading them into false assumptions by twisting the truth around in his own words in a way that will be beneficial to himself.

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