“Othello's mind, for all its poetry, is very simple. He is not observant” BRADLEY
It is this alone that allows him the leeway in which he can organize and carry out the acts of villainy that strife this play. The character undoubtedly commits a series of crimes against his fellow peers, some which lead to death. Although we are left uncertain as to why he may be trusted can we look at Iago and see him as a loveable rogue?
“This fellow’s of exceeding honesty” act 3 scene3 Othello talks of Iago
Othello’s trust upon Iago is undoubtedly (particularly the two last acts) his major mistake. He portrays calmness, control and nobility; this is further backed up by his superior position in the Venetian army. Whilst he is black and harbors prejudice feelings from certain roles he appears be a man of action and not particularly one of love, and it is here that Iago exploits his lack of experience and through very suggestive manipulation presents a series of false truths. We are made witness to Iago’s great control of Othello and his actions; one such is violent jealousy. The mindful effect Iago has is evident as Othello remarks towards the end of the play,
“That’s he that was Othello; here I am”
Desdemona possibly only matches Iago’s confidence in what he does and says. She is a character of great will who has herself disowned by her family only so that she can love Othello, yet such passion and strong loving feelings are absent in our subject. He himself has very little love for his wife Emilia yet does at one point refer to loving Othello, is it made clear here that homosexual tendencies are within Iago, or is it just a apt expression for the period? It is her relentless attempts to heal the rift between Cassio and Othello that Iago takes advantage of; and with a quick mind turns it around to make Desdemona appear to be cuckolding her husband, it is her ignorance that separates her from Iago.
Cassio can be said to be a smooth, well educated and very self-conscious; all the things Iago appears not to be. Although Iago does show intellect, Cassio is a arithmetician and educated thoroughly in the art of war but has little first hand experience, something our Iago does have. Reputation can be said to be important to this character,
“Reputation, reputation, reputation! O! I have lost my reputation! Cassio
Iago does not consider reputation as important and even tells this to Roderigo at great length.
Iago is very different to Roderigo, for one Roderigo is a well to do Venetian gentleman whereas Iago is simply a soldier. The most apparent of his traits is that he is gullible, and is easily fed lies by Iago. He is slow witted and very disillusioned about the situation between Desdemona and Othello and he thinks that he can still attain her love, differently Iago is more wise on the situation and can even be said to control it.
Iago can under no means be seen as a victim in this play, if you are of a certain view you might even say he is the sole orchestrater of everyone’s pains. For certain he is the catalyst for the series of events that befall the characters throughout the play but are his intentions clear? We are made aware that he is greatly angered for missing out on promotion and even states his disloyalty and anger.
“I hate the moor, he holds me well; the better shall my purpose work on him.” Act 1 scene 3 Iago talks of his relationship with Othello
Therefore we are made at this stage to assume his target for revenge to be Othello and him alone. Yet he does state that he will try and oust Cassio out of power by making it appear that Desdemona and the lieutenant are “too familiar”. So as yet we can clearly see that from our Iago that revenge is very clear in his heart; furthermore his intentions lie with Othello and him alone yet others will be used as devices to achieve this.
His ending two lines for the third scene of the first act are very poignant in our audiences view of him, particularly as this is the opening act when views and perceptions are most likely ever to be made.
“I have’t; it is engender’d hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light” Act 1 Scene 3 Iago’s first soliloquy
These ending two lines in my opinion make himself appear to be almost devilish, yet at the same time can be said to be melodramatic. What Shakespeare has done here has made him appear almost god like as he is calling to the elements to help him with his plans. There is one element of this play that one must consider when reviewing Iago and his thoughts, he has all the soliloquies bar one in which Cassio states his thoughts. Then for our audience it is made easier for a bad opinion to be formed of him as his evil intentions are laid bare right in front of you. Unquestionably this first soliloquy must be the nail in the coffin for Iago’s “good guy” image, if he did at all have one with any of the audience.
