Othello – Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge presented his view on the personality of the most complex character in “Othello” and, arguably the most complex character in Shakespearean Tragedy, Iago, as “the motive hunting of motiveless malignity”. This, in itself, is a rather complex assessment, which may be interpreted in more than one way. At the immediate outset, it is worth attempting to define Coleridge’s statement. On a simplistic level, the quotation can be perceived to imply that Iago does not have a motive, but desperately wants and seeks to obtain a motive. He commits acts of evil, solely for the sake of evil. Coleridge seems to shed doubt upon the motives of Iago for his actions, dismissing them as evidence of “motiveless malignity”.
According to Coleridge, Iago’s reasons for his actions, namely that Othello overlooked him for the post of lieutenant and his claim that Othello had a secret liaison with Emilia, his mistress (“twixt my sheets…. Done my office”), are unclear, inappropriate and very much half-hearted. Iago admits his resentment of Cassio’s “daily beauty in his life/ That makes me ugly”. This feeling of inferiority may act as a point of motivation. The achievements and status of everyone around him could quite easily as a trigger for him. But, are these Iago’s real motives, or are they just mere attempts at justifying his evil deeds? Given what we know about the psychology of Iago, it is quite plausible, in my opinion, that he possesses the capability to embark upon a course of evil, without a point of motivation. He miserably fails to justify his appalling actions. However, there are some other factors of motivation that might propel Iago. There is evidence of racism in the play, principally with regard to Othello. It could be that Iago finds it difficult to accept a black soldier in a position of authority higher than himself. Iago does “know his price”, but feels undervalued by society. Upon arrival in Cyprus, Othello greets Cassio warmly and simply nods to Iago, saying “Honest Iago!” and then turns back to Desdemona. It is because he feels undervalued and impotent that he exercises a desire to dominate. He wants to show his worth. Perhaps, a motive for tormenting Othello in the way he does is the sheer satisfaction of having somebody under his control. It is worth noting a quote by A.C. Bradley, which refers to motivating factors: “A boy torments a frog, not from a love of evil of pleasure of pain but because the pain is the unmistakable proof of his superiority and it is so with Iago”.