Shakepeare`s `Othello`

Shakespeare 's `Othello`

A Character Analysis on Iago

One of Shakespeare 's most intense plays is , without a doubt , Othello - a tense , closely-knit play with an ever-increasing emotional scene

Othello , a "noble HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Moors " \o "Moors " Moor " who has just eloped with the fair HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Desdemona_ 28Othello 29 " \o "Desdemona (Othello " Desdemona when the play opens , leaves HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Venice " \o "Venice " Venice to command the Venetian armies against the Turks on the island of HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org

/wiki /Cyprus " \o "Cyprus " Cyprus , accompanied by his new wife and his lieutenant , Cassio . When they arrive , they find that the weather has destroyed the Turkish fleet . HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Iago " \o "Iago " Iago , a HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Standard_bearer " \o "Standard bearer standard bearer , repeatedly tries to undo Othello , finally succeeding when he plants Desdemona 's handkerchief on Cassio , managing to convince Othello that his wife has been unfaithful with the lieutenant . Othello HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Asphyxia " \o "Asphyxia smothers Desdemona out of jealousy , before Iago 's wife , Emilia eventually reveals that Desdemona 's affair was but an invention of Iago 's . Iago immediately kills his wife also , and Othello then commits HYPERLINK "http /en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Suicide " \o "Suicide " suicide in grief

Upon reading the novel , one will see that the stark contrasts of character in this play are almost as remarkable as the depth of the passion . The Moor Othello , the gentle Desdemona , the villain Iago , the good-natured Cassio , the fool Roderigo , clearly offer a range and variety of character as striking and palpable as that produced by the opposition of costume in a picture . Their distinguishing qualities stand out to the mind 's eye , so that even when the reader opts not to think of their actions or sentiments , the idea of their persons is still as present . However for this particular , focus will be made on the villain Iago , Othello 's ancient (a position below lieutenant ) and is undoubtedly the cause of all the tragedy which comes to pass as the play progresses

From the beginning of the play , Iago is easily perceived as the manipulator . He is cunning in the sense that he does not dare oppose Othello directly . Rather , he uses other character whom he tricks . From his actions throughout the play one sees that Iago was gifted at using other people , to further his own schemes . In this aspect of his character , Iago can claim the throne as Shakespeare 's most evil villain (pun intended ) since he is able to employ means by which he can effortlessly manipulate all those around him to do his bidding (kill Cassio , destroy Othello , discredit Desdemona 's virtue ) by taking advantage of their trust and using his victim 's own motivations (Roderigo 's desire for Desdemona , Cassio 's desire to be reinstated ) and weaknesses (Othello 's pride , Cassio 's impaired judgment whilst...