‘Cassio’s a proper man…
After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear
That he is too familiar with his wife;’ (Act 1 Scene 3)
By creating the idea that Cassio and Desdemona were having an affair, suited Iago’s plan perfectly. If Othello was able to believe this Iago would be able to seek vengeance on both Cassio and Othello. By gradually, putting little dubious thoughts in the Moors head, Iago was able to torture Othello causing him great pain and suffering.
Within each one of us there is a fatal flaw, like that of the tragic hero, Othello. Inside each of us there is a dormant monster waiting to be awoken. In the case of Othello it was his jealousy!
‘I put the Moor
At least jealousy so strong’ (Act 2 Scene 1)
Through observance Iago was able to unravel what Othello’s flaw was. Through his unrelenting evil he awoke the monster in Othello, leading to his downfall and destruction of his happiness. It takes a cruel, scornful man to do such a thing. Anyone capable of accomplishing such a deliberate act must be a monster!
It would be wrong to say that Othello was innocent of everything he did in the play, although even the horrific deeds he did commit were heavily influenced by Iago! In my opinion Othello was not a monster, though some of the actions he executed monstrous qualities. I cannot deny that he murdered Desdemona and plotted to kill Cassio.
‘Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men.’ (Act 5 Scene 2)
Othello sees killing Desdemona is the only way that he can save her! Unlike Iago the audience can see that Othello had a motive for the appalling things he did. This doesn’t make what Othello did right, but the audience gain a better understanding of why Othello hurt the one he was closest to. In some ways the audience can sympathise with Othello’s actions, in a way they can’t with Iago due to his lack of reason. The motiveless of Iago actions, in fact make him appear more inherently evil!
One of the mitigating factors that makes Othello appear innocent of being a monster is that he is motivated by love!
‘Of one that loved not wisely, but to well
Of one that not easily jealous, but being wrought
Perplexed in the extreme;’
Othello never once stopped loving Desdemona. The realisation that he killed his blameless wife was too much for Othello. In this section he is aware of his faults. The reason that caused Othello to do these terrible action was not because he didn’t love Desdemona, but he loved her far too much! He recognised his flaw was that he that he was easily jealous! After distinguishing that everything his actions was based on was false, he was filled with guilt and remorsefulness.
‘O fool, fool, fool!’ (Act 5 Scene 2)
After realising that Iago governed his thoughts and led him to believe so many false facts, Othello was consumed with regret. He realised he had made a mistake and was willing to face the consequences!
Both characters kill their wives, but there is a stark contrast in the way that the monstrous |ago and the misguided Othello perpetrate these deeds. Firstly when considering the way Othello kills his wife it is important to remember, that it was Iago who planned when, where and how the killing would take place! There is a stillness at the opening of the scene, which is the complete opposite of the chaos that ensues when Emilia is murdered. When Othello’s refers to Desdemona he doesn’t actually use the word ‘kill’ or ‘murder.’
‘It is the cause!’ (Act 5 Scene 2)
Shakespeare’s use double-entendre creates the impression that Othello is having doubts, and that he still loves Desdemona. He cannot bare to use the word kill, its as if what was happening would become real if he said the word. It is also a form of self-justification, by saying he’s killing Desdemona for the cause; he is trying to rid himself of some guilt. To Othello, Desdemona’s death appears more as a sacrifice rather than murder. Othello believes he is saving Desdemona from committing more sins. As I have stated clearly before, despite everything he still cherished Desdemona!
‘I would not have thee linger in thy pain.’ (Act 5 Scene 2)
Othello wants to cause Desdemona as little pain as possible. He wants to preserve Desdemona, so he didn’t want to spill any of her blood. In some respects Othello desperately wanted her to live and by keeping her body as life like as possible he is doing it. Othello is being ripped apart; a part of him still didn’t want to kill her. He feels that if he leaves her body unmarked he can absolve himself of responsibility!
In comparison, the way Iago killed Emilia is in desperation! He has no compassion for Emilia. He kills her to preserve his own life and honour, not because she betrayed him or because he loved her, but for his own benefit.
‘EMILIA: He begged of me to steal it
IAGO: Villainous whore!’ (Act 5 Scene 2)
This is the first time that Iago’s true nature was revealed to everyone, including Othello. This murder was brutal and unnatural. He cowardly strikes her from behind and she had no chance to retaliate. Iago doesn’t care how much blood was shed, only that his life was intact! Not only does this death symbolise Iago’s plans unfolding, but it was also a time of realisation for Othello. He now comprehended that Iago had been feeding him lie upon lie!
A monster is amoral; it doesn’t have the ability to feel emotions such as regret, guilt, love or sorrow. This adds to my belief that Iago is the monster, he displays no sign of any of these feelings. He gloated over the torment he caused others, such as Othello. He takes a heinous enjoyment in his own cunning, and one feature remains strong in my mind is the fact that he never apologised.
‘From this time forth I never will speak again!’ (Act 5 Scene 2)
Even in his last line of the play Iago was defiant! He never justified his actions so the characters of the play never actually understood his behaviour. He never showed any signs of remorse, regret or guilt.
Othello however shows all these qualities. His love for Desdemona was the reason for his actions. It was because he cared for her so much that his jealousy swelled and caused him to kill her. But almost immediately after her death he felt sorrow, guilt and remorse. When he found that Iago had lied to him he was distraught; he realised the severity of his actions.
‘I kissed thee ere I killed thee: no way but this,
Killing myself, to die upon a kiss’ (Act 5 Scene 2)
Othello was so consumed with contrition that he succumbed to killing himself! In some way this was his punishment and he believed he deserved it. In Othello’s last line of the play Shakespeare used a lot of deliberate repetition in order to show the importance of the line. Othello is not a monster but a hopeless romantic who loved his wife too much and trusted others too much!
The end of the play shows a divergence in the way that the characters of, Othello and Iago, end their parts of the play. Iago’s closing line was audacious whereas Othello’s last line and subsequent suicide demonstrated shame.
Iago’s power of manipulation was like that of a puppet master, he wove a web of deception, which ensnared all the characters and kept them under his spell. Iago’s success lies in being able to see his victims’ weaknesses and being able to exploit them! To Iago people like Roderigo and Cassio were merely pawns, which he used to accomplish his own gains. He revelled in the capacity to dissemble and destroy people’s lives!
When it came to taking advantage of Cassio weakness, it was clearly his reputation that Iago would use. In trying to meet his own needs Iago tended to tell people what they want to hear, in order to gain their trust.
‘Confess yourself freely to her, importune her help to put you in your place again’ (Act 2 Scene 3)
Giving what seemed to be good advice on the part of Cassio, Iago is actually setting the scene for his devilish plan to fall into action! By arranging for Cassio and Desdemona to meet alone Iago was creating the perfect scene for Othello to walk into. Thus enabling Iago to plant the seeds of mistrust in the Moor’s mind! Iago gained so much domination over the Moor that he is even able to control the moods of Othello! Othello continued to have complete faith in Iago up until Emilia’s confession!
‘My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago!’ (Act 5 Scene 2)
In some sense Othello actually put his life in Iago’s hands. He believed everything Iago said about Desdemona, despite the fact that there was only some circumstantial evidence! As the play advanced the language Othello used gradually altered, becoming more and more like Iago’s. ‘Impudent strumpet’ (Act 4 Scene 2) His language became more crude and vulgar. The change in language coincides with passion taking over Othello’s mind!
The language that Iago commonly used was that of a crude, primitive, savage fashion. He created horrible pictures in the audience’s mind.
‘An old black ram
Is tupping your white ewe.’ (Act 1 Scene 1)
In this example, Shakespeare used a piece of animalistic imagery to create a lewd picture of sex. Iago was describing sex in a purely physical term, rather than a bond of love. Iago is certainly not stupid, he is aware as to when it is appropriate to use a particular type of language and when it isn’t. For example when he talks to his superior he tends to talk in verse.
‘I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio.’ (Act 2 Scene 3)
In this extract Iago was explaining to Othello about the fight that took place between Cassio and Montano. When Iago talks to his subordinates or in some of his soliloquies he will return to prose, showing his lack of honour!
‘It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of will!’ (Act 1 Scene 3)
This quotation is interesting because it talks of love in terms of lust. It further cements the character of Iago as a person who feels no regard for another person. It also shows a contrast in the way Othello and Iago speak. In this speech |ago is full of contempt and hate while in the speeches proceeding it Othello’s are full of joy, relaxed and generous!
One of the most complex parts of Iago was his appearance to others versus what he was in reality. When he spoke to the others he always appeared to have someone else’s interests at heart, when in fact the audience know clearly that he only had one persons interests at heart…his own!
‘Good lieutenant, I think you think I love you.’ (Act 2 Scene 3)
In this Iago imitated someone who cared about the trouble Cassio had got in; while he was actually formulating a plan, which would destroy Cassio! In times of crisis he acted as a mediator and pacifier and in front of others, he showed an apparent reluctance to divulge information that could bring others into strife.
Shakespeare’s use of animal imagery on both the part of Iago, Othello and several other characters had a devastatingly powerful impact on the audience. It conveys the message that jealousy is a monster.
‘O beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on’ (Act 3 Scene 3)
This use of imagery personifies jealousy, making it appear as those jealousy laughs at those who are unfortunate enough to experience it. This marked a pivotal point in Othello. As now Iago had given form to the emotions that both, he and Othello feel. Iago’s jealousy was much more controlled compared with Othello. Othello allowed passion to overtake reason. It was this factor that made Othello easily moulded by Iago. If Iago felt the same strength of emotion, his plan would have surely failed!
Later in the play Emilia talks of the way men treat women in less than flattering terms!
‘Tis not a year or two shows us a man.
They are all but stomachs, and we all but food
They eat us hungerly, and when they are full
They belch us.’ (Act 3 Scene 4)
This use of animalistic imagery creates the image of men vomiting up women. What it actually means is that men use women, and discharge them when they have got what they want! In Iago’s case this applied to both men and women. He used people like Roderigo and when he didn’t need him and was on the point of ruining Iago’s plans, Iago killed him!
Iago is like an evil voice of your conscience, he was that voice on your shoulder waiting for something to tempt you and ready to will you on. His corrupt influence over the other characters in the play was unparalleled! Whenever they were weak, or in distress, Iago is there ready to entrap them with his wicked but secretive ways.
‘I’ll pour pestilence into his ear.’ (Act 2 Scene 3)
In this quote Iago was directly referring to his plan of ruining Othello, by creating a plan that made Othello believe that his wife was having a relationship with Cassio. Iago’s role is to arouse questions in the Moors head of Desdemona’s faithfulness. Iago does this quite effectively, whispering seemingly innocent comments in Othello’s ear!
Iago in some respects does not deserve the title monster, as the enormity of his villainous was more in parallel with the devil. His scheming, ruthlessness can in fact only be compared to that of the devil. On numerous occasions throughout the play he or others made reference to hell and the devil.
‘Hell and night
Must bring the monstrous birth to the worlds light’ (Act 1 Scene 3)
In his first soliloquy Iago fashions a link between himself and hell. From that point on the audience associate him with everything that is evil! In these lines we see Iago’s true colours, and a preview of the chaos he will wreak over Cassio and Othello’s lives! In Act 2 the references to hell and the devil become even more apparent.
‘Divinity of hell!’ (Act 2 Scene 3)
This use of an oxymoron is very effective in showing that to Iago hell is a good thing. It was the first time in the play that Iago actually embraces his evil power of manipulation. In my mind it cemented Iago as the Machiavellian monster of the play!
While using hell and devil to describe his nature, Iago also uses it to make derogatory comments about Othello’s colour, rather than his character. There appears to be an underlying theme of racism, that could be responsible for part of the jealousy and hatred that Iago feels towards Othello. At a time when black people usually appeared to be inferior to the whites, it must have been hard to take orders from Othello.
In the latter end of the play, when the full of extent of Iago’s vindictiveness is revealed, it is Othello that makes references to the devil and hell. He calls Iago ‘demi-devil’ and ‘hellish villain’ (Act 5 Scene 2) In my opinion the audience support Othello’s views of Iago after witnessing the disorder Iago has caused!
As much I hate the actions of Iago, I cannot help but have a begrudging regard of Iago’s intelligence. He was a sophisticated villain; he managed until the very last point to keep his hands free from blood. He had the rare gift of being able to interpret human behaviour correctly and use it too his advantage. He managed to demolish the lives of at least four people, if not more. Iago managed to convince Othello of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness, by initially just putting suggestive thoughts in the Moor’s head!
‘I told him what I thought, and told no more
Than what he found himself was apt and true.’ (Act 5 Scene 2)
This was the only form of justification that Iago gave when his plot was uncovered. To a certain extent this statement was true. Most of the images that Othello conjured of Desdemona’s relations were through his own flaws. But, had it not been for Iago creating the doubts, however minuscule they were, Othello may not have ever suspected Desdemona. This combined with Iago’s false evidence of Cassio’s dream about Desdemona and the planting of the handkerchief in Cassio’s chamber lead to Othello’s downfall and Iago’s ensuing capture.
Honesty…this is the feature most chiefly associated with Iago. On numerous occasions throughout the play people referred to Iago as honest and trustworthy!
‘CASSIO: Goodnight, honest Iago.’ (Act 2 Scene 3)
‘ OTHELLO: Iago is most honest.’ (Act 2 Scene 3)
Shakespeare deliberately used the repetition of ‘honest’ Iago in order to show just how ironic it was to say that Iago is honest! In fact his mendaciousness was unmatched by any other character in the play. The amount of lies he told defied belief, they included, telling Roderigo that he would succeed in capturing the affections of Desdemona. Even more ironic is the fact Desdemona sought the help of the man who was destroying her.
‘Good friend, go to him;’ (Act 4 Scene 2)
Even more deceptive, was the fact that Iago promised to amend the problems between Othello and Desdemona, despite the fact he knew that Othello would soon be murdering Desdemona!
However, although in a great deal of the time Iago is being deceitful, there was a quality about him of brutal honesty. This is especially clear when he is talking to Roderigo in Act 1 Scene 1.
‘I follow him to serve my turn upon him’ (Act 1 Scene 1)
This honesty showed that he had no loyalty to anyone apart from himself, least of all Othello. He stated that he was only serving Othello in order get revenge! At times when he was speaking honestly to other people, such as Desdemona and Cassio, it was so brutal that they didn’t believe it or they saw it as entertainment!
Looking at all the evidence, in my mind it is clear that it is Iago who is the monster. No one can doubt that the things that Othello did were monstrous, but he redeemed himself by the anguish and sorrow he showed after the deeds, by ending his life! Iago made no attempt to apologise for all the pain and heartache he caused. He remained defiant to the end by refusing to justify his actions. Many say that Othello’s fatal flaw is his jealousy, and I cannot argue with this. But in my opinion his downfall was equally linked to listening to Iago, whose scheming callousness was hell-bent on destroying Othello’s life. Othello was motivated by love; the jealousy that devoured him was due to the fact that he loved Desdemona so much! Iago had a motiveless malignity, combined with intent eye for human behaviour, was a monstrous force. Although captured and incriminated, it would be a lie to say that Iago’s plan hadn’t succeeded to some extent! He had managed to complete his ultimate goal – he ruined Othello’s life!
Iago is far beyond a monster; he is in league with devil! His ruthless, false, manipulative nature destroyed the lives or part of lives of almost all the characters in the play! To him his actions were more like a game, the characters just pawns in it. He took a contorted pleasure in seeing the suffering of others. He had no loyalty or compassion to anyone but himself! During the murders, Iago used a rhyming couplet, which was quite unusual of his style of language, to convey his feelings.
‘This is the night
That either makes me, or fordoes me quite.’ (Act 5 Scene 1)
This was the moment when Iago’s plan would go as he had planned or become unravelled! Unfortunately for Iago, like all monsters Iago was doomed to fail. He was captured and was punished severely for the un-repairable damage he has caused. Like with all fairytales, good has triumphed over evil but at a price, the death of the tragic hero and the innocent!
