The two characters Iago and Desdemona.

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Kate Salmon

The critics have many views on the two characters Iago and Desdemona. These two characters are very complex and have a hidden depth to them. Each critic has a strong personal view on the characters and explores deeply into what motivates them and have they go about things. The Critics are able to state their point of view clearly giving relevant quotes from the text, but there are some things that I do agree on to some extent but then there are things that I don’t agree on. I would like to challenge the critic’s view when forming my own oppinon of the character Iago and Desdemona.

                         The character of Iago is very complex and I feel is hard to understand. There are many views to why he is this clever, ambition, manipulative villain.  A.C Bradley puts up two arguments, which he thinks, are wrong interpretations to why Iago is driven to destroy Othello. He states that Iago could be a jealous man whose main ambition is to destroy successful lives; Or Iago simply hates anything good because it is good, and loves evil purely for itself. I don’t think that these are wrong interpretations of Iago as I think he is from a society who is embittered by social class. I feel that that Iago is frustrated because he is considered as a lower class to the likes of Othello and therefore he is ambitious to prove himself and not to be looked down on. I also agree with the second view that Iago is a sinister man who hates anything good. He admits to the fact himself when we see him for the first time in Act 1 scene one when he says ‘whip me of such honest knaves!’ Here Iago expresses how he despises men who wear their hearts on their sleeves and fail to look after their own interests, but instead he admires men who can exploit their masters and line their own pockets by pretending to honest be and trustworthy. A.C Bradley makes a very short relevant point, which I totally agree with. He says ‘One must constantly remember not to believe a syllable that Iago utters on any subject including himself.’ This is true as the audience cannot believe what Iago says as he constantly lies and is deceitful. Even in Iago’s soliloquy we cannot be sure if he is expressing his true feelings.  I agree with the statement that Iago never lets the world see his true self; he fools even his own wife, which shows that he is a very clever devious man. The only person who seems to get a glimpse of Iago’s true personality is the weak and feeble Roderigo, but is then easily fooled by Iago’s sudden change of heart.  A.C Bradley points out another point of view into understanding Iago’s character. He says that Iago has a ‘superficial good nature, the kind of good nature that wins the popularity and is often taken as a the sign, not of good digestion but if good heart.’ Iago must have some compassion and feeling deep within inside of him to be able to pull of this act as the “honest Iago”. Iago must show signs of strong good nature as he manages to gain the trust of the honest Othello who is use to dealing with jealous, angry men. This comes down to the fact that Iago is a master of deception and knows how to delve deep inside himself to find emotions in which he can trick and manipulate his prey. This idea of deception, which runs throughout the play, is first introduced in Act 1 scene 1 when Iago says ‘I am not what I am’

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                     I also agree with Bradley that as well of the play being about the tragedy of Othello it also could be connected to the tragedy of Iago. There is no reference in the play of Iago ever being in serious trouble before he commits the giant crime. So therefore makes it almost sad when he does commit the crime as it shows his rapid down fall. This relates to the first point of view that I questioned that Iago it frustrated because of his social class and evidently it ...

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