ipl-logo

Richard III And Iago Research Paper

685 Words3 Pages

Within the vast realm of Shakespearean villains, Richard III and Iago emerge as two of the most memorable and captivating characters. These malevolent figures, featured in "Richard III" and "Othello" respectively, share certain similarities in their character traits and manipulative methods, while also exhibiting distinct differences. This essay aims to explore the comparisons and contrasts between Richard III and Iago, analyzing their characters, methodologies, and their roles within the intricate tapestries of their respective plays.
Richard III and Iago are both driven by profound motivations that propel them towards their wicked pursuits. Richard III, burdened by physical deformity and a deep-seated desire for power and revenge, embarks on a treacherous journey to claim the throne. In Act 1, Scene 1, Richard unabashedly declares, "And thus I clothe my naked villainy / With old odd ends stolen out of holy writ" (Richard III, 1.1.215-216), exemplifying his Machiavellian nature. Similarly, Iago's motivations stem from a combination of envy and perceived injustice. In …show more content…

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). Both villains capitalize on their victims' vulnerabilities, sowing discord and chaos with their deceitful

Show More
Related
1459 Words | 6 Pages

Richard III Richard was considered to be one of the most arrogant and selfish kings in the 13th century. He was supposed to have killed two of his nephews, just to become king. Richard was born to two nobles named Richard of Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York and Cecily Neville Duchess of York on the 2nd October 1452 and died on the 22 of August 1485. He had many titles such as, Richard Duke of York, Richard III, Lord Protector, Duke of Gloucester and many more. He was one of the kings who were controversial because Henry Tudor had made people believe Richard had ‘killed’ his nephews in the Tower of London but according to Josephine Tey, he is much more innocent looking than his successor Henry, but not everything is the way as it seems.

Read More
2122 Words | 9 Pages

Richard III, the twelfth of thirteen of Richard Plantagenet and Cicely Nevill’s children, was born in 1452. As a young boy he developed a fierce loyalty towards his older brother Edward IV who became king in 1461. Edward married and had ten children by Elizabeth Woodville. During Edward’s reign, Richard was made Duke of York in the same year of brother’s coronation. Richard married Anne Nevill in 1472 and they had one son, who was also named Edward.

Read More
1116 Words | 5 Pages

Jake Power Mr. Dineley ENG 1D1-05 21 April 2023 The Role of The Supernatural in Richard III Richard III, written by William Shakespeare, follows the rise and fall of Richard of Gloucester and his kingdom including the terrible actions that he committed along the way. Throughout the novel, two of the most evident themes are the themes of guilt and innocence. However, many of the story’s other themes lurk beneath the surface waiting to be discovered and deciphered by the reader. One of these underlying themes is the role of the supernatural and how it foreshadowed later events and influenced the guilt and innocence of the characters, especially Richard.

Read More
1169 Words | 5 Pages

Hangry Richard with an Appetite for Revenge The early years of a person’s life are one of the most important stages to one’s development; it is a time period where each experience fortifies the person’s future. Unfortunately, if a child is treated poorly during this time, then when they are an adult, they may harbor a lot of resentment.

Read More
843 Words | 4 Pages

Jealousy, whether originating from an existent or imagined threat to one’s ego, can lead to an irrational search for justice in the form of revenge. Throughout the play Othello, set in medieval Venice and written by William Shakespeare, the influence of villainous soldier and manipulator Iago is seen in the slow collapse of the relationship between Othello and Desdemona. These two newlyweds are an interracial couple who had deceived the bride’s father in order to marry. The title character is a general in the venetian army and Iago feels wronged when Cassio, a soldier with much less experience on the battlefield than himself, is promoted. The jealous soldier takes his revenge by bringing about the general’s downfall, tricking him into believing

Read More
1417 Words | 6 Pages

This extract is taken from Act 2 Scene 3 of Othello by William Shakespeare. This extract exhibits the malicious mind of Iago as he attempts to mislead Cassio, and Othello eavesdropping is deceived to believe Cassio is talking highly about Desdemona. Shakespeare using this part of the play convey the them of manipulation and brittle jealousy of Othello, intensifying, which will lead to his downfall. Shakespeare strikingly employs short sentences used by Iago, expressing emotions conveyed through punctuations and significant portrayal of Iago's sentiments in his monologue.

Read More
923 Words | 4 Pages

The following passage is significant to the play ‘Othello’ in retrospect to the plot progression, as it reiterates themes and introduces important facets to the plot development. Through Iago’s cunning manipulation and Shakespeare’s crafting of language, this passage is constructed as a pivotal point of the play, marking the transition of Othello’s personality and revealing his deepest insecurities that eventually lead to his downfall and tragic ending. Iago wields a lot of power over all the characters throughout the play, but in this passage in particular he is presented at his most powerful. The passage is riddled with subtle suggestions and insinuations by Iago to raise Othello’s suspicions of his wife’s fidelity, opening with the admonition to “beware, my lord, of jealousy!

Read More
549 Words | 3 Pages

Through Othello’s impulsive actions as wells as Iago’s malevolent ideas, Shakespeare reveals the horrid effects of jealousy. Othello’s erroneous choices display how jealousy clouds thought processes. Othello hears a rumor from Iago that Cassio is sleeping with Othello’s wife, Desdemona. Othello demands proof of this accusation, but then chooses to act irrationally. Without definitive proof, Othello demands that “ within these three days, let [Othello] hear [Iago] say /

Read More
759 Words | 4 Pages

In the beginning of the tragedy Othello tells Brabantio to “Keep up your bright swords signior, for the dew will rust them” (1.2.72-73). This statement gives the reader insight to Othello’s level-head and smart decisions, before he allowed jealousy to cloud his vision. Othello becomes convinced that Desdemona has cheated on him with Cassio; therefore, he is angered and beings to seek revenge for a crime that was never committed. Iago tells Othello “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (3.3.187-189).

Read More
995 Words | 4 Pages

William Shakespeare has created many fascinating characters and the most fascinating being the villains. They comprise of the worst of human vice yet their motives are surprisingly real and easy to relate to with jealousy hatred heartbreak and bitterness. There are a number of villains present in Shakespearean plays like Shylock from The Merchant of Venice, Don John from Much Ado About Nothing, Claudius from Hamlet, Richard iii, Iago from Othello. William Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Richard the Third is a masterpiece in the depiction of evil and the study of the psychology of the anti-hero, the villain we love to hate to the point that we almost hope they succeed.

Read More
700 Words | 3 Pages

“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.

Read More
750 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More
944 Words | 4 Pages

Iago also manipulates Othello with jealousy. When Othello is gone at war, Iago tells him that Cassio and Desdemona were getting too close. At first Othello does not believe him, but by Iago saying “nothing,my lord; or if- I know not what” Othello starts to question if it is true (III. III. 39). Iago constantly uses his “innocence” to make Othello jealous and start to assume that it is true. These actions eventually lead to a tragic event.

Read More
436 Words | 2 Pages

Thus, Iago has been described by critics as a director; although Iago should rather be described as a symbol of Satan, as he is sly and cunning in his ways, has selfish desires and will take any measure to achieve his goal, even murder. Iago is shown throughout the play to be the true mastermind behind an intricate plot to destroy his master, Othello, of which he is successful, but only through his characteristics, abilities and ingeniousness which allow him to take control of the direction of the

Read More
1826 Words | 8 Pages

Kolin observes that Iago stands out among Shakespearean villains since he is the only one to survive his own monstrous acts (25). Unlike Richard III, apart from telling stories, Iago carries out a downright fraud through other means of manipulation, which makes him the most evil and intelligent character. To be exact, Iago is a puppeteer who sets up scenes to deceive the “credulous fools”—Othello, Cassio and Desdemona (4.1.45). Iago talks to Cassio about Bianca while telling Othello that the subject of their conversation is the Moor’s wife. He is so smart and careful that he even gestures Othello to come closer when Cassio is about to illustrate how Bianca entangles him.

Read More

More about Richard III And Iago Research Paper

Related Topics

Open Document