Othello Essays (1409 words) - Othello, Iago, Emilia, Michael Cassio

Othello Tush, never tell me! I take it much unkindly/ that thou, Iago, who hast had my purse/ as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this./ (I. i. 1-3) From the beginning of Othello, Iago is portrayed as an antagonist, a villain who acts out of only his own interest. The acts that Iago engages in throughout Shakespeares Othello are erroneous acts. Iago is not insane and he can comprehend the difference between right and wrong. Shakespeare is known for his ability to focus on human flaws and teach us lessons from their misfortune. Iagos destiny with evil is due to his own flaws, jealousy, selfishness, and deceit. Because of these insecurities, Iago will stop at nothing to get even with Othello. By the end of the play, Iago becomes blind to all other aspects of life and solely focuses on his enemy. By using and exploiting others flaws, Iago pollutes all with his deceit and lies, turning them against each other to get what he wants. This evil villain makes sure he gets what he wants by taking advantage of the gullible characters no matter what the cost. When Iago tells Othello that Brabantio will try to annul his marriage to Desdemona, Othello replies that what he has done (as general of the Venetian army) for Venice will outweigh anything that Brabantio can say, Let him do his spite./ My services which I have the signiory/ which shall out-tongue his complaints. Tis yet to know/ which, when I know that boasting is an honor,/ I shall promulgate I fetch my life and being from men of royal siege. (I. ii. 18-27) In the beginning of the play, Othello is clearly confident in his prowess as a respectable military general and elite man of the time. He has no concerns with Desdemonas father and feels he can have whatever he wants because of his status. Othello is already allowing his head to swell and overlook any possible conflict. He is not at all worried and so his demise begins. Iagos jealousy is depicted early when he is suspicious of Othello pursuing his own wife, Emilia. Iago tries to have Desdemonas father do the work for him, but it does not work. Iagos rage grows and in the end of act I, he reveals his plan. The moor is of a free and open nature/ that thinks men honest that but seem to be so;/ and will as tenderly be led by th nose/ as asses are./ I havt! It is engendred! Hell and night/ must bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light./ (I. iii. 380-385) Iago is filled with hate for the Moor and his whole life is now consumed with revenge. Also at the end of the first scene in Cyprus, Iago speaks of his own motivations for his deceit. He says of Desdemona, Now I do love her too;/ not out of absolute lust, though for peradventure/ I do stand accountant for as great a sin,/ but partly led to diet my revenge/ for that I do suspect the lusty Moor/ hath leaped into my seat. (II. i. 268-272) He desired revenge for his own suspicion that Othello has gone to bed with Emilia. It is was killing on the inside and Iago would not be happy, Till I am evened with him, wife for wife;/ or failing so, yet that I put the Moor/ at least into a jealousy so strong/ that judgement cannot cure. (II. i. 276-279) He reveals that he wants to kill Othello from the inside, make him succumb under his own power. Othello was married happily to Desdemona, but Iago planted some doubts in Othellos mind concerning her unchaste lifestyle. Iago told Othello that his wife had been unfaithful and was lying in Cassios bed while they were married. Othello chose to believe this false story that Iago schemes up, and because of this his marriage was destroyed. All he could think about was his sweet Desdemona having a relationship with his first lieutenant. In doing this, he was also acting out of selfishness for not being promoted as Cassio was. One Michael Cassio, a Florentine/ a fellow almost damned in a