15 November 1999 Lizzy Wood
“The devil Himself”
‘The devil himself’, an accusation against Iago is one of great complexity. Iago refers to the devil several times throughout the first two acts both directly and indirectly. However, is he referring to himself at the same time? I feel that Iago is far more complex than to simply be referred to as the devil. However it is true that he may have many devilish characteristics, for example, he cares about only one person, which is himself. He does not care who he hurts on the way to what he wants. Iago can easily manipulate people’s feelings. He manages to twist minds, wreck marriages and cast jealousy whilst no one thinks for a minute that he may be ‘hiding behind a mask’ as he lives through and innocent face. He is thought throughout the first two acts to be a very honest and truthworthy man, this often comes up with great irony as people comment of how honest he is. His word is taken with great confidence and belief. Nevertheless, a convincing good husband and friend, Iago is really a sinister character who means to cause upheaval. He has cruel intentions. Throughout the first two acts he always keeps the audience up to date to his most recent conspiracy. Most of these conspiracies are brought to light in the night time, which is seen to being devilish in a way as hell would be dark, dismal, eerie and mysterious as might be a night. The play opens this way where Iago and Roderigo try to get Othello and Desdemona’s marriage broken up as revenge on Othello for over looking Iago as lieutenant. Iago quotes (Ii L59-61) “Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago / In following him, I follow myself / Heaven is my judge, not for love and duty / Bur seeming so for my peculiar end.” Iago is saying that in following Othello as a leader he can also follow his wishes to seek revenge of him by tricking him in to believing that he is his good friend. Iago is also racist, which in those days was not uncommon but in order arouse Desdemona’s father he uses such expressions as (Ii L90)”An old back ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise. Arise / Awake the snorting citizens with the bell / Or else the devil will make a grandshire of you”. Iago is saying how an old black man is messing with Brabanitio’s white daughter. He than goes on to explain that if Brabantio was not to respond than the devil would be making a fool of him.
