Othello Essay- Iago's Motives.

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Othello Essay- Iago’s Motives

Othello (by William Shakespeare) is a tragic story, the play is based on the theory that love is meaningless unless the physical attraction is partnered with trust. It also questions some factors of human nature; the inconsistency of judging intentions plays a crucial part in the downfall of the lead character with whom the title of the play is shared.

Iago is the proprietor of the carnage, he oversees the destruction of five characters (Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, Emelia and Rodrigo) and controls their views on each other. He deems the lives of the aforementioned characters as insignificant, and treats them like pawns to meet his own ends. Throughout the play his motives remain shadowy, some of his reasons seem preposterous, classed as excuses for his actions.  

   Iago’s motives are of great number, they appear in an erratic fashion (most frequently in his soliloquies ). Iago’s  first major soliloquy gives us our first major insight into the reason for his heinous scheme.

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   Iago starts off by telling the audience how he finds additional funds. He has used his charm to ensnare Rodrigo into believing that Desdimona will fall out of love with Othello (Rodrigo is infatuated with her). He then goes on to say that he would not spend time with Rodrigo if it wasn’t for his own ‘sport and profit’. Iago shows his ability of finding insecurities in a person’s character, Roderigo is easily persuaded. Roderigo plays a major part in the fruition of Iago’s major plot- as Iago again clouds Roderigo’s mind with an unrealistic reward (leading to Roderigo’s ...

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