Othello – Iago Character Analysis

Iago, in Shakespeare's Othello, is a deceiving character because he tells lies in order to get what he wants. He interacts with people only to manipulate them, but most importantly he never reveals his true feelings or motives. Iago might say things that suggest what his motive is, but he soon contradicts himself with another suggestion making it extremely difficult to understand him. Although Iago's true motives cannot be determined, some motives could be jealousy, the enjoyment of seeing people suffer, or power.

Iago's jealous of Othello and Cassio because he thinks that both of them slept with his wife, Emilia. In Iago's first soliloquy at the end of act 1, Iago says that Othello might have slept with his wife and even though this is a rumor, he says that he will believe it. Then in his second soliloquy at the end of act 2, scene 1, Iago reiterates and once again says that Othello slept with his wife, the only difference is that now he thinks Cassio has slept with his wife too because he believes that Cassio is a "proper man" and a playboy.

So, this seems to be a driving force for Iago to ruin Othello and Cassio. Iago's jealousy towards Othello quickly turns into a jealousy toward Cassio too because Othello appointed Cassio as lieutenant instead of Iago. Iago believes that he should be lieutenant because he has fought by Othello's side in battles and because he has actual war experience, whereas Cassio learned all of his tactics from books. So, he is jealous because he didn't get the job, but he is angry because he thinks that Othello made Cassio his lieutenant because Cassio helped Othello marry Desdemona.

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Iago doesn't know anything about proportion, meaning that if he has been wronged he will bring justice to himself by giving the culprit a punishment that doesn't match the crime. In this case, Iago wasn't appointed as lieutenant; therefore, he wants to torture Othello and Cassio mentally and then kill them. This could be the result of his hatred and jealousy. Another motive that might cause Iago's behavior is that he is a sadist; he just likes to enjoy watching other people suffer.

Iago is a very clever person and he enjoys seeing how idiots make fools of themselves. One of these idiots is Iago's "buddy," Roderigo. Roderigo is a typical wealthy, Venetian aristocrat who is madly in love with Desdemona and he has given Iago the task of helping him woo her. Iago uses this to his advantage, even though Iago uses Roderigo to ruin Cassio and Othello, he gets some amusement by watching Roderigo prance around and go nuts over Desdemona. Iago also finds it funny when Roderigo wants to go kill himself after he finds out that Desdemona married Othello.

There are multiple times throughout the play where Roderigo should have known that Iago was just using him for money and some laughs and since Roderigo doesn't pick up on this, Iago can use Roderigo to his advantage. Power is probably the most important motive. Iago is very conniving and clever and he can use this to manipulate people. It is clearly seen that Iago thrives for power because he loves manipulating people so that they doe exactly what he says. He does this to Roderigo many times, like when Iago tells Roderigo to give him all of his money and when he convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio.

He even controls Othello to the point that Othello suspects his wife and decides to kill her. Iago's thirst for power is also seen when Cassio is appointed to be Othello's lieutenant because this was, supposedly, the basis for his revenge. He really wanted to be lieutenant because it is a very high position and with it comes a lot of power and Iago proves that he would do anything to get that sort of power. Therefore, one of Iago's motives could be that he has a tremendous thirst for power.

In conclusion, many believe that Iago is just a psychopath, which is true to some extent; however, he is also very smart and clever. If he wasn't clever he would not be able to carry out his revenge because he wouldn't be able to manipulate anyone. The probable motives - power, sadism, jealousy and anger are some reasons for why Iago is psychotic, but it is nearly impossible to figure out his true motives from the text. Even though this may be true, Iago does suggest these motives and all of them are supported by the text, but even this could be one of Iago's ploys because nobody can truly understand Iago.

Analysis of Female Characters in Shakespeare's Othello

In this paper I have tried to analyse the female characters of Shakespeare’s Othello in the light of Elizabethan Era, and status of women in 12th century, the age from which the character of Othello is taken. I have also discussed the status of woman in Christianity in Shakespearean times. The main purpose of this research article in the analyse the female characters of Othello that they were not different from the real life of Shakespearean times nor alien from the women of 12th Century.

Othello a black Moor, a warrior, won many battles, becomes a victim of jealousy and conspiracy of Roderigo. Who hates Othello not due to racial prejudice but rather jealousy that Othello has won fair Desdemona (1-1) Shakespeare’s primary source for Othello was Un Capitano moro, (A Moorish Captain), one of the One hundred short stories in the collection. Gli Hecatommithi published by the Italian, Cinthio (web) (1566-Venice). Cinthio’s story provides the backbone for Shakespeare’s plot although he changed and introduced some minor characters e. ; Brabantio and Roderigo.

In Cinthio’s episode Iago’s motive for revenge against Othello was that he loved Desdemona, who out rightly rejected his proposal. The tragedy of Othello takes place in Venice and Cypress, Iago uses Desdemona through Emilia and inflames a good man with jealousy. In the beginning of the play the seed of conflict are sown when Roderigo shouts in dark at Brabantio’s house, the news of Desdemona’s elopement that she: hath made a gross revolt, Tying her duty, beauty wit and fortunes.

In an extravagant and wheeling stranger Of here and everywhere” Brabontio thinks that it was due to some black magic that was used by Othello, the black moor, we see that there are hints of hostility within the play about Othello’s Moorish origin and his differences in religion and culture when Othello relates his story of love before the Duke in the Venation Senate and he convinces all of them that he never used magic or drugs. Barbantio demands that Desdemona should testify, she affirms her duty to her father (I. iii) (179-180).

Who gave her life and education, but asserts she has a higher duty than this to Othello, as he is her husband. My Noble Father I also perceive here a divided duty; To you I am bound for life and education; My life and education both do learn me How to respect you; your are the lord of duty; I am therefore your daughter; but here is my husband. (I. iii. 180-185) Desdemona is presented as a true Christian character possessing all the virtues of honourable woman. She respects her father, admits his love and vows to obey her husband. She suffers more than any other character of the play.

Othello also loves Desdemona from his heart in the beginning and utters it as: But that I have the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhoused free condition Put into circumscription and confine For the sea’s worth (I. ii. 25-28) The love of Othello is corrupted by Iago’s conspiracy and Othello is trapped in his jealousy inflamed by handkerchief plot. His loves turns him mad and he uses the weapon of violence against the fair Desdemona. His hate is so much for Desdemona that he says to Lodovico: Ay; you did wish that I would make her turns.

Sir, she turns, and turns and yet go on, And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep; And she is obedient, as you say obedient, Very obedient. (IV. iii 252-257) Thus Othello implies that Desdemona is available to Lodovico or to any one else, also, because she is as obedient that she can obey any one. What is the significance of handkerchief of Othello? In Othello there are two accounts of handkerchief, in the first Othello warms Desdemona that his handkerchief is love charm with “magic in the web” given to his mother by an Egyptian.

In the record account Othello tells Grantiano it was “an antique token/ My father gave my father”. Othello’s two different versions make readers/audience baffle that which one is true. The fatal handkerchief is very important in the play (Andrews) In the beginning in of the play Desdemona is shown as an adventurous spirit when her husband Othello is called for military duty in Cypress, she begs to go with him and cannot think of remaining alone at home without her husband. Even Othello woos Desdemona by telling adventurous stories of actions and danger.

She heard all these tales with “Greedy ears” Desdemona wishes that “The leavens had made her a man like Othello” (I. iii) Desdemona is very expressive about her love for Othello she is bold and beautiful in expressing her love for Othello even before her father and the duke and she also openly announces that she will go to Cypress, which shows that she was pretty frank about her sexual desire for her husband. Desdemona suffers much more than any other character of the play. She is a good natured young and beautiful lady ,and possesses all good qualities and Christian virtues.

Then why she suffers so much? Shakespearean conveys the possibility that God’s deeds in the play, a work that prompts playgoers to believe that she deserves happiness (her taking Cassio’s case as her own), directly leads to her death” (Hunt 2004). The character of Desdemona is that if an “ideal wife” as Carroll Camden calls her in Iago on woman (2004). In Othello Desdemona disobeying her, back chatting with Iago (II. i), lying Othello of her death (V. ii), admiring Lodovico as a “Proper Man” (IV. I) and pressing Cassio’s suit to Othello.

It is important to note that several critics cite Desdemona for violating Elizabethan or Jacobean law and propriety by denying her father and running off with the Moor (Kolin). Desdemona is one the most beautiful heroines of Shakespeare, when Brabantio arrives to confront Othello, he says that if it is impossible that “a maid so tender, fair and happy” (I. ii 66). Would ever love a scary black man like Othello. Cassio describes her beauty “That paragon description and wild fame” (II. i), here he means to say that Desdemona is more beautiful than ny possible description of her beauty, more beautiful than the wildest story of any woman’s beauty.

She is indeed the “most fresh and delicate creature” (II-iii-19). When Othello saw his handkerchief is Cassio’s hand, Iago encourages Othello’s murderous mood by reminding him that Cassio gave the precious handkerchief to his whore, Bianca. Iago continues to subtly increase Othello’s fury through his use of sexual innuendo as he tells Othello that “Cassio has the handkerchief and implies that he has confessed to sleeping with Desdemona” (Bate & Rasmussen 2009).

Othello was still uncertain; his disjointed language shows the breakdown of his self-control (IV-i). He falls down unconscious as Cassio arrives and Iago tells him that Othello has epilepsy, warning that he breaks into savage madness if woken from fit. It is interesting to note in Othello, Shakespeare uses female characters through Iago for the downfall of Othello. The conspiracies are woven with the help of women. All the three woman characters of Othello and theare used against Othello. It is true that Othello is all male- world- play of Shakespeare.

Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca are rejected by their male partners and all three love their men unselfishly, even when confronted by behavior that we would deem grounds for divorce at the very last. All the women are engaged to unequal partnerships. They feel more for their self-centered men than the men are capable for reciprocating. However, the women also display genuine emotions toward each other that is not reflected in any of the male characters. Besides Desdemona, Emilia is an important character, she is elder and cynical than Desdemona. She develops a close relationship with the young married Desdemona.

They form a bond of relationship over husband trouble. It is interesting to note that Emilia’s one dishonest act towards Desdemona is the stealing of handkerchief, she did not know the plot of Iago, her act of stealing turns out to have devastating consequences. (IV ) Unfortunately Emilia’s little theft ends up causing her friend’s death. Emilia realizes the importance of handkerchief and when she discovers about Iago’s evil plot against Othello and she relives the truth. She washes the bad name of Desdemona. She also sacrifices her own life so that Desdemona won’t be remembered as a whore.

Iago and Emilia are married but their relationship is not based on mutual understanding. Iago always talks trash about woman in general. Emilia is eager to please him. She steals Desdemona’s handkerchief in order to please Iago. “I nothing but to please his fantasy” (III-iiii). She tries to gratify Iago’s thirst for power and wishes without involving into any evil designs which are in Iago’s mind: who would not make her husband A cockold to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for. (IV-iii) Like Desdemona, Emilia craves for affection. She is very submissive like Desdemona and Bianca.

It was common in the Elizabethan woman to be submissive and devoted to male figures whether father or husband. Emilia’s bitterness boils over in the final scene during which she says that husbands are usually to blame when their wives cheat on them. After all, men cheat on woman all the time. Why shouldn’t woman have an equal right to infidelity? Although, Shakespeare wrote Othello in the early 1600’s. Emilia’s monologue is about as close as we find in later feminist manifesto. Third female character is that of Bianca, a Venatian courtier, who is in love with Cassio.

Cassio always uses her as a laughable nuisance. Bianca’s character is very sympathetic and Cassio uses her for his sexual needs and treats her like a garbage. why is she presented as a prostitute in the play? when there are only three woman characters. Actually Venice was famous for prostitution and promiscuity. She is a foil to the chaste and ever fatithful Desdemona. But hardhearted soldier in Othello does not recognize the difference between these women. He is easily cheated by ‘gentle’ Iago that Desdemona is having extra-marital sex with Cassio.

It is also very interesting that all three woman, Desdemona Emilia and Bianca, are accused at some point or another of being promiscuous Each one of these women are rejected by their male partners. It was an error of judgment on the part of Othello that he was not able to understated Iago’s plot to ruin Othello. The woman, especially Desdemona, suffers most in the play. Emilia and Bianca also suffer, and Othello takes revenge and kills Iago when he comes to know about the reality.

The play ends with a great loss, the death of Desdemona is the most tragic one, because she was the “the sweetest innocent/that ever did lift up eye”. V-ii). In the fits of jealousy Othello was blind to all love and affections of a human being, he acts like a beast when he says: O, she was foul! I scarce did know your, uncle; there lies your niece. Whose breath indeed, these hands have newly stopped. I know this act shows horrible and given(5) Iago stabs Emilia and when Othello was told the truth of handkerchief and Iago’s plot by dying Emilia. Who announces the innocence of Desdemona to Othello: Moor, she was chaste; she loved three cruel Moor; So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true; So speaking as I think, I die, I die. (Dies)

Othello was almost mad after knowing the truth, he comes to know that his wife was innocent, when Gratiano enters into the bedchamber he requests him: O cursed, cursed salve! Whip me, ye devils From the possession of this heavenly sight! Blow me about in words! Roast me in sulpher! Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire! O Desdemona! Dead, Desdemona! Dead! O! ( V-II) The agony and remorse of killing was felt at heart by poor Othello, he stabs himself and gives a proof to world that never allow jealousy over come reason and also washes all the stains from the name of beautiful Desdemona.

Othello utters his last words: I kissed thee ere I killed thee: No way but this (falling upon Desdemona) Killing myself, to die upon a kiss. (Dies) ( V-ii) Lodovico, a kinsman to Brabantio, asks Gratiano, Brother to Brabantio. “Myself will straight aboard; and to the state This heavy act with heavy heart relate” (V- ii) References .Andrews, M. C. (2004). Honest Othello: The Handkerchief once More. Studies in English Literature. camden, C. (n. d. ). Iago on women. Hunt, M. (2004). Shakespeare's Religious Allusiveness. ashgate. Kolin, P. C. (n. d. ). Othello:new critical essays. Rasmussem, J. B. (2009). William shakespeare. Palgrave Macmillan.

Othello Character

loWhen an individual experiences feelings of jealousy towards their partner in a relationship, it often results in feelings of anger and distrust, which cause them to sabotage the partnership and possibly end it. Shakespeare's protagonist, Othello, becomes deceived and unable to decide in whom to place his trust. The noble Moor chooses wrongfully and places himself under the loyalty of Iago, allowing him to corrupt and transform him, destroying his sanity and relationships with others. Consequently, the Moor's trustworthiness and envy become his weaknesses and result in his downfall.

In the play "Othello", by William Shakespeare, the protagonist's flaws contribute to his downfall from a noble soldier to an irrational man, suggesting that when a an individual experiences jealousy in a relationship, it becomes the corruption that destroys a person's conscience and ultimately the relationship itself. Othello is initially portrayed as an honest natured individual of royal status and reasonable character. his love for Desdemona, his wife, acquires him the essence of a respectable, loving husband, implying his success as a firm, yet affectionate husband.

After Cassio is relieved of his duties by Othello, Desdemona promises to put an effort into convincing her husband to take him back as his lieutenant. After multiple rejections and rebounds, the Moor finally gives in: "I will deny thee nothing. / Whereon I do beseech thee grant me this, / To leave me but a little to myself" (Oth. 3. 3. 83-85). Although the Moor was very upset with Cassio, Desdemona's good-natured pleas were enough to change his mind into reconsidering Cassio's position.

In saying that he would "deny [her] nothing" demonstrates his love for her and suggests that there is a special place in his heart for his sweet wife that he cannot help but succumb to at times. Furthermore, Othello's strong, sophisticated character is demonstrated through his logic and patience, emphasizing his greatness as a warrior. Upon being accused false doings and being challenged to a duel with his father-in-law, Brabantio, the Moor calmly responds, "Hold your hands, / Both you of my inclining and the rest. / Where it my cue to fight, i should have known it / Without a prompter" (Oth. . 2. 82-85). Othello's control over the situation makes it evident that he is a reasonable and gentle man, contrasting his self-control with Brabantio's lack of restraint. Othello's composed reaction makes him seem more rational than his racist father-in-law by thinking his actions through before reacting on impulse. Further analyzing the goodness of Othello, Anthony Hecht comments, "While everywhere it is noted that he is given to self-dramatization, Iago, who has no affection for him, admits that he is of a free and open nature. Which is to say, he is both guileless and guileful.

There is no question of his courage, nor of his weakness" (Hecht 19). Moreover, the trusting nature of the Moor is reflected in his relationship with others, suggesting his easy-going atmosphere. Needing his wife to be taken care of safely, he tells the Duke, "So please your grace, my ancient; / A man he is of honesty and trust. / To his conveyance i assign my wife, / With what else needful your good grace shall think / To be sent after me" (Oth. 1. 3. 283-287). Othello's confidence in his relationship with his ancient, Iago, demonstrates his trusting personality.

Once the Moor has belief that a man is trustworthy, he will give them his whole heart, making it evident of his value in loyalty. Yet, Othello's respectable qualities become the cause of his corruption, which bring upon jealousy, deception, and delusions, ultimately leading him closer to his tragic death. Although the Moor loves Desdemona greatly, his strong bond with her has taken away the control he held for himself. Plotting against him, Iago muses to himself to himself, "His soul is so enfetter'd to her love / That she may make, unmake, do what she list, / Even as her appetite shall play the god / With his weak function" (Oth. . 3. 316-319). Saying that Othello is "enfetter'd to her love", Iago is suggesting that his love for Desdemona is the Moor's weakness, being "chained" to her in a way where she "shall play the god" and take away his mastery since he does not believe the Moor can think for himself. By willingly being with Desdemona, Othello puts himself in a position of vulnerability and cannot blame anyone else for this but himself. Likewise, without seeming so at first, Othello's whole hearted trust in Iago becomes a mistake that he is not aware of initially.

As Iago utilizes subtle manipulation on the Moor, he successfully plants the seed of doubt in his mind, suggesting Desdemona's disloyalty to him. Othello says to him: I think thou dost; And, for i know thou'rt full of love and honesty And weigh'st thy words before thou givest them breath Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more; For such things in a false disloyal knave Are tricks of custom; but in a man that's just They are close dilations, working from the heart That passion cannot rule. (Oth. 3. 3. 117-124)

The dramatic and verbal irony when Othello describes Iago's "love and honesty" demonstrates his unwise and gullible nature, making his full trust in him an error. The way Iago's pauses fright [him] the more" concludes that the Moor has been tricked without realizing it and reflects his foolishness despite his strong, controlled character. As critic William Hazlitt suggests, "Ironically it is Othello's judgment that allows Iago to manipulate him; Othello is a trusting man who believes that people are what they seem, thus believing in Iago because he appears to be honest and loyal" (Hazlitt 29).

Subsequently, logic, patience, and self-restraint has become lost in the Moor once his emotions have been used against him and his jealousy is played on. After Iago explains a dream he heard Cassio had about making love to Desdemona to Othello, the Moor says, "But this denoted a foregone conclusion: 'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream" (Oth. 3. 3. 428-429). Then almost immediately after he concludes that "[he] will tear her all to pieces" (Oth. 3. 3. 432). Othello at this point in the play has transformed from the loving husband he once was, to a jealous individual that must act on his envy as soon as the chance arises.

Ignoring the absence of solid proof his wife's disloyalty, he has let Iago torture his conscience with lies and consequently confusing and agitating his sanity. Consequently, Othello's corruption leads to chaos as he realizes too late the destruction his actions have caused that eventually bring him to his tragic death. His hamartia has come into play, which brings upon anarchy and reflects Othello's loss of control and reason. Convinced without proof that Desdemona has been cheating on him, he proclaims to Iago, "Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her! / Come, go with me apart. I will withdraw / To urnish me with some swift means of death / For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant" (Oth. 3. 3. 475-478). The Moor's marriage is officially destroyed and his conclusion to make Iago, the man responsible for causing him grief, his new lieutenant guarantees his doom. His quick decision to kill Desdemona for her unfaithfulness without real evidence demonstrates the destruction his jealousy has caused to their relationship. Inevitably, Othello's corruption becomes an unstoppable force, which ends in the deaths of many innocent lives. After killing his wide and confessing so to Emilia, Iago's wife, Othello explains: "Cassio did top her.

Ask thy husband else. / O, I were damn'd beneath all depth in hell / But that I did proceed upon just grounds / To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all" (Oth. 5. 2. 136-139). Dramatic irony emphasizes how confused the Moor really is about what is delusion and what is reality because he uses Iago's word as proof, which is false, as well as going as far as to say "I did proceed upon just grounds to this extremity. " Othello did not actually have a just reason for committing his murderous act as Iago never gave him proof, reflecting the way in which jealousy corrupts the mind and an individual’s entire reasoning.

This all becomes evident once chaos was unleashed upon the Moor, which consequently costs him his nobility, marriage and life. The Moor realizes his mistakes too late, but comes to understand that he is reasonably the one to blame for all the devastation he has caused. Upon becoming aware of Iago's true intentions and Desdemona's faithfulness, Othello speaks some of his last words: When you shall these unlucky deeds relate, Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely, but too well; Of one not easily jealous, but, being wrought,

Perplex'd in the extreme; of one whose hand, Like the base Judean, thew a pearl away Richer than all his tribe; (Oth. 5. 2. 341-349) Thus, Othello finally realizes his emotions were manipulated to do the deeds of an evil man he once trusted. A part of his old noble character us shown when he asks the soldiers to "speak of [him] as [he is]. Nothing extenuate, / Nor set down aught in malice. " His humbleness is paired with bitterness because of the needless death of his wife brought upon by his own envious actions, demonstrating his own contribution to his tragic death.

Also, as Shawn Smith believes,"If Othello earlier in the scene has been a minister of justice deliberating Desdemona's fate, he is now turning judicial attention to himself, and in doing so he recognizes his own mis-judgments. It is here we see Othello returning to his exotic narratives we associate with his language in the earliest scenes of the play. And in his return to these exotic narratives, Othello offers his retreat from Venetian life - and, indeed, life altogether" (Smith 47). He simply cannot deny the errors in his accusations and the killing of his wife, foolishly "[throwing] a pearl away. "

By experiencing the delusions of envy, Othello himself becomes the evil force behind the deception and deaths of innocent people, including his own. He is initially loved and respected by many for his lpyalty, royal status, and honourable marriage. Nonetheless, the qualities he is honoured for become his imperfections, resulting in deception, jealousy, and his fall from nobility. Consequently, chaos ensues and destroys a once loving marriage and sane man. Thus, jealousy transforms an individual to harm those they love most, a dangerous and monstrous emotion that requires reason and logic to restrain it from destroying relationships.

Character Analysis: Iago In Othello

The two passages in question, the first a speech Iago makes at the start of the play, and the second, a short soliloquy at the end of Act one, introduce the audience to the character of Iago and the feelings he has towards Othello which will drive the action of the play and shape the tragedy. In the play, we see Othello, a heroic character, fall from grace. Shakespeare's successful use of peripeteia is accentuated by Othello's strive through adversity and what he has managed to achieve, especially in Venice which was the most powerful society in the world for a time.

It was un-heard of for a "moor" to have reached such a momentous position considering the racism at this point in history. Othello is also a character that the audience can empathize with easily. This emphasizes the tragedy of Othello due to the fact that he doesn't deserve to have been plagued by trickery resulting in him murdering Desdemona and then killing himself. He has been entirely manipulated by Iago. He is the artist behind the fall of Othello. He realizes that Othello can be "tenderly led by the nose as asses are" and is clever and ruthless enough to take advantage of him and exploit his flaw, jealousy.

Iago's exploitative nature is communicated to the audience when he is talking to Roderigo about how he dislikes the "Moor" and says, "I follow him to serve my turn upon him. " This statement reveals Iago's feelings towards Othello, as well as an insight into the way he thinks and his priorities in life. This suggests that Iago's motive is just to climb to the top of society without regard or respect for anyone else's emotions. An example of this is when Iago is telling Roderigo how he feels about certain types of employees, the types that "line their coats".

He states that these people have "soul" and believes "such a one I do profess myself. " This shows the audience Iago's selfish and power hungry temperament. It is interesting how Shakespeare has chosen to put a full stop after the word "myself". He has chosen not to use enjambment, which he uses abundantly throughout the text. When listening to someone act out this speech, there would be a pause after this word that would let the audience have time to think about the statement just voiced. Iago's desire for status brings to light the theme of class.

Iago feels an extremely strong desire to climb to the highest class and profess himself a success. This could be seen as his primary motive for money and power and ultimately status. However, he also wishes to break the bond between Othello and Desdemona. As well as revealing his character to the audience, these two quotations foreshadow and prime the audience for a tragic ending, one in which Iago will turn upon Othello, a noble and trusting character. Iago's motives are often unclear and we end up speculating that he is jealous, racist or insecure.

The presentation of Iago in the penultimate sentence of the first speech, invokes images of pain, destruction, darkness and possibly some of the aforementioned insecurity. He voices a sinister yet almost vulnerable statement to Roderigo when he says "I will wear my heart upon my sleeve/ For daws to peck at. " This can be interpreted in many ways. One of which is that Iago feels that he has done so much wrong that he is leaving his feelings open for the people around him to "peck at" with the "daws" symbolizing the people.

This would suggest that Iago does have a heart because he feels punished for how he treats his companions and the net of lies he weaves around them. Moreover, leaving ones heart upon ones sleeve could be seen as an act to open their heart to the world, leaving one vulnerable and defenceless. This metaphorical image of a bird pecking at his heart paints an enduringly dark and depressing picture for the audience. Conversely, we could see this quote as Iago feeling he should be punished. We could also see it as Iago being self destructive and almost psychopathic.

The structure chosen here by Shaksespeare suggests that this statement should be read as a sinister one as opposed to a vulnerable one. The writer has chosen to continue this sentence onto the next line. His use of emjambement here suggests that the audience should hear the statement all as one. There is no pause between " sleeve" and "for daws..... ". In addition, the fact that Iago doesn't care that he is leaving his feelings so vulnerable makes us think that he has no care for his emotions and anyone else's whatsoever.

It is also ironic because he is saying he will reveal his feelings, his emotions and his true self, but succeeds in manipulating all of the characters due to his immense power to lie, deceive and erect an impregnable fai??ade. Shakespeare alludes to themes such as race and class in the last sentence of the first speech that also portray Iago's deceitful character. Iago ends his speech to Roderigo by saying "I am not what I am. " We have already learned that he is a deceptive and confusing character however this statement means that he could have been putting up a fai??ade this whole time and none of what he said could be true.

As and audience, we feel that Shakespeare has employed this dramatic device to keep us guessing. Moreover, this is interesting because we would usually expect Iago to reveal this about his character in a soliloquy rather than in conversation with another character. Shakespeare has most definitely chosen this short punchy sentence to end his speech for a reason. This is the main thought that the audience are left with. This is a key function in helping the audience to suspend their disbelief. Watching the play you would be confused trying to understand his character and then seconds later the dialogue resumes between Iago and Roderigo.

There is also another interesting interpratation of this statement that relates to class and race. At the time, white people considered themselves the higher power compared to black people. White people considered themselves clean and proper and considered black people dirty and improper. However, this is ironic because Othello, the black character or "Moor" is the noble, kind and strong character. And Iago is portrayed as being evil, deceptive and crazy. We could see this as an attempt by Shakespeare to attack the ideals and beliefs of the time by turning them over and challenging them.

The end of this passage gives the audience the idea that good will not prevail over evil resulting in a devastating end to the play. The second passage, Iago's soliloquy, starts with him telling the audience that whenever he can, he will take advantage of any "fool" for his profit. This again communicates his exploitative nature and alludes to the idea that eventually Othello will become his "purse". He then goes on to say "I hate the Moor,". Once again Shakespeare has used structure to emphasize a certain point. This being that Iago despises Othello.

He does this by starting the sentence with "I" and has placed a comma after " moor" which sections off this declaration causing a pause after hearing which leaves time for this statement to be absorbed by the audience. Iago is portrayed as being sexist in the beginning of his soliloquy when he says that by Othello sleeping with his wife he has "done his office". Referring to his wife as "his office" now would be a potentially life threatening comment, however at the time it was thought that men were above women and a women's place was at home, cooking, cleaning and holding together the home-life.

He is referring to Emilia as if he can do with her as he wants. This suggests she is his sex object and reaffirms him as the duplicitous man that he is. Iago's character is portrayed as evil and scheming in the last sentence of his soliloquy. After Iago has been plotting he has conjured up a plan to frame Othello by exploiting his trusting nature. This is communicated when he says "Hell and night/ Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light. " This conjures up images of death, pain and evil beasts. This is a very powerful statement and has the most significance in terms of alluding to the tragic ending of Othello.

It is also interesting because Shakespeare has chosen to write this in verse. This adds a poetic and almost beautiful aura to what Iago is saying. It is intriguing yet horrific at the same time. He has also chosen to use figurative speech that makes the audience think more about what is being said. This is typical of Shakespeare's fondness for dramatic irony. He may have been alluding to the overall themes of the play here in this one line. Specifically, the contrasting notions of heaven vs hell, light vs dark and good vs evil. In conclusion, we can see that both speeches play key roles in preparing the audience for the tragedy of Othello.

The first speech reveals much about Iago's character including his manipulative and exploitative nature. It is revealed to the audience that Iago is complex and intelligent but that these traits are ominous ones. Iago is portrayed in such a negative way that it leaves the audience thinking that there could only be a negative ending to the play. The assumption is that evil will prevail. However at this point in the play we have not met Othello. We are not sure whether what Imago is saying about Othello is true which means that the audience are ill prepared at this point for the tragedy of Othello.

In Iago's soliloquy he begins to engineer his plan to defeat Othello. At this point we have met Othello and we are aware of his trusting nature that becomes his downfall at the end of the play. Shakespeare uses a combination of structural techniques, language and themes to help the audience prepare for the tragedy that follows. I believe that Shakespeare was attempting an attack on the ideals and beliefs in society at the time and was trying to tell the worlds that fairytales do not usually come true and that humans will ultimately be the makers of their own downfall.

The Virtuous Character of Desdemona

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as is virtue. Such is the case of the virtue of the character Desdemona, from the play The Tragedy of Othello, by William Shakespeare. Desdemona was shown as a low moral, virtue less female in the essay The Character of Desdemona by John Quincy Adams. Contrary to this, the modern reader can see that Shakespeare actually showed her to be a virtuous and loving person, whose own innocence lead to her demise. Is Desdemona a virtuous character? Is there anyone who can be so self-sacrificing?

Shakespeare is careful to give her a few minor flaws- her treatment of Brabantio, her stubborn persistence about Cassio, her lie about the handkerchief- to make her realistic. But the overall character of Desdemona is of high stature, it is her very innocence that makes her a victim of circumstance. As a young Venetian woman, Desdemona has lived a sheltered life in her father's home. This sheltering gave her an innate passion for all the things that she was denied. She was denied all things that a modern day women would be allowed to do, including the right to fall in love with someone free of social status, age or race.

She then falls in love, probably for the first time, with a man several years older than herself, from a faraway land, and of a different race. She is captivated by the man's stories and wishes she were a man so that she might also have an exciting life, the very life she was denied because of her being a women. Knowing that her father would disapprove of her marriage to such a man, she elopes with Othello. Desdemona is portrayed as a lovely, courageous, gentle woman, deeply in love with her husband. However, she is not a perfect character but her morals, and her virtues are still there.

In the play Desdemona says to her father Brabantio, "(I,iii;180) My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty: To you I am bound for life and education; My life and education both do learn me How to respect you; you are the lord of duty". No matter what the circumstances may be, she never stopped respecting her father. Though still she had to follow her heart. Her lover Othello says of her, "She gave me for my pains a world of sighs" (I,iii;168) However one person in time may see an event or character, another person in another time can perceive the same to be of completely different meanings.

John Quincy Adams says that Desdemona lacks virtues and all she does is cause her father grief to his dying bed. He says that "the passion of Desdemona for Othello is unnatural, solely and exclusively because of his color. " Which if looked at by today"s standards would hold of no significance what the persons skin color is. Second he says that her elopement to him, and secret marriage with him, indicate a personal character not only very deficient in delicacy, but totally regardless of filial duty, of female modesty, and of ingenuous shame.

Third he states, "her deficiency in delicacy is discernible in her conduct and discourse throughout the play. " Altogether he thinks that she has done nothing but wrong when she ran away for her love, and that she has low morals and no virtues because she has wronged her father. In contrast to what John Quincy Adams said of the character of Desdemona, proof from the play itself states otherwise. "If virtue no delighted beauty lack, Your son-in-law is far more fair than black", John Quincy Adams uses that quote to illustrate how the skin color love affair had shown Desdemona to be of low morals, and that she had committed an unnatural thing.

When as seen by today"s standards it is perfectly all right for two people of different races, ages, sexes, nationality and religions to be in love and to wed. Another quote from the play used by John Q. Adams is, "With the Moor, say'st thou? --Who would be a father? " that quote helps to illustrate how the father was hurt by the actions of his daughter. When in fact Desdemona meant no harm to her father, she simply wanted to do what"s right as is said by Iago, "She that was ever fair and never proud, Had tongue at will and yet was never loud... (II,i;158).

Also shown to us by Desdemona herself is how she felt towards her father all along, again proving wrong the portrayal of her by John Q. Adams, "(I,iii;180) My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty: To you I am bound for life and education; My life and education both do learn me How to respect you; you are the lord of duty". Desdemona was loved by many, including Othello, and rightfully so, "But that I love the gentle Desdemona" (I,ii;24).

Even John Q. Adams is quoted saying himself in his essay, "Desdemona, ... is amiable and lovely," towards the top of his last paragraph. Even he in the end admitted to the fact that Desdemona's character is amiable, lovely, virtuous, and still retains its morals. Many people from separate time periods can look at Desdemona in different ways. The modern reader will apply the modern aspects of life to the story and look at it from that perspective, while someone like John Quincy Adams looks at it from the vision of the time period he lived in.

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