What Motivates Iago?

WHAT MOTIVATES IAGO

Introduction

In literature , there have been antagonists and villains that live a mark in the minds of people however , there is quite as well known and recognized as Iago from Shakespeare 's Othello , The Moor of Venice Shakespeare has drawn a clear image of a villain who is very nasty that even the term immoral does not do justice . A better term to use for Iago would be amoral

Iago is the most trusted advisor of General Othello . Iago claims to have been unfairly passed over for promotion

in the beginning of the play . He expects to be promoted to the rank of Othello 's lieutenant however , Othello favors Michael Cassio for the position . Iago then plots to make Othello demote Cassio and bring the downfall of Othello himself afterwards . In Act 2 of the play , Iago sets to work on his second plan after engineering a drunken brawl to make sure that Cassio is demoted . Thus , this leads to Othello to believing that his wife Desdemona , has an affair with Cassio

Motives of Iago

The motives of Iago in doing such acts possibly include not being promoted , jealousy , insecurity , sadism , racism , sexual infidelity sociopathy , and unacknowledged homosexual feelings

An individual who is a sociopath may appear to be charming at times and usually establishes relationships with others . However , these relationships are in name only . A sociopath ends a relationship as he or she deems necessary . The relationships , including marriage , are without meaning or depth . A sociopath seems to have a natural ability to seek the weakness of other people . He or she is ready to utilize such weakness in his or her own means through intimidation , deceit , or manipulation and finds pleasure from doing so

A sociopath may be viewed as someone who is incapable of having true emotions . He or she is quick to anger however , he or she is just as quick to let anger go without keeping grudges . Regardless of what emotion a sociopath claims to have , that emotion has no bearing on the future actions or behavior of the sociopath

A sociopath is able to have a job that lasts for any length of time as he or she becomes bored easily and needs constant change . He or she lives for the moment , disregards or forgets the past , and does not plan for the future . A sociopath does not think ahead of the consequences of their actions . In addition , a sociopath wants instant gratification or rewards

On Iago being a sociopath , he deceives everyone in the play Othello and each character becomes a victim to his lies . Iago plays everyone for the fool . He uses people , lies to them , and kills an individual with who he pretends to be friends with . He even kills his own wife in the play . Iago personally sees to their deaths . The loyalty ' of Iago turns on a dime and he allures whoever he believes he can control Montano , for example , is sweet-talked by Iago with...