Iago acts like a villain in this play. He uses racism as a way to hurt Othello. He also plots against Othello throughout the play.
Essay by Katy Brown 10 lt A typical villain is someone who purposefully hurts somebody else to help their selves to get what they want. They scheme and use others to get what they want. You would know if someone was a villain because they would be creeping around on stage. They build up to their plan by getting others to be upset or by telling different people made up stories which are all connected to the villain's scheme. The atmosphere is uneasy when the villain is around, especially if the audience knows something which the actors don't. In the first scene, Shakespeare would want to introduce the villain by making it noticeable that the person is a villain. Shakespeare would try also to make the villain sound innocent whereas, not true to their self. Shakespeare starts off the play with Iago and Roderigo arguing, on line 7, when Roderigo says 'Thou told'st me thou dud'st told him in thy hate." Iago must have lied to Roderigo and told him that he did not hate Othello. But he does hate him or Roderigo would never have said this. Iago uses 'Love, honest and soul' a lot in this scene. But he does not mean any of these words, he might use these words to sounds innocent and that he cares but really, he doesn't. The audience knows what Iago's personality is really like. Iago might use these words to make him sound superior to everyone else.
How does Shakespeare explore the theme of loyalty in Othello?
Essay: How does Shakespeare explore the theme of loyalty in "Othello"? During the play, Shakespeare explores many forms of loyalty: loyalty between friends, colleagues and lovers, loyalty to family and to the state. Set in Venice during the Jacobean Period, some people think that "Othello" was written for James I as a warning against dishonest and disloyal advisors. To be loyal, you must be at once trustworthy and trusting. Many characters in "Othello" are either trustworthy or trusting but few possess both of these desirable qualities. Iago is the character who shows least signs of loyalty in the play. Shakespeare shows us that Iago is dishonest and disloyal in the most blatant of ways. One of the clearest signs is when Iago himself says "I am not what I am" Act 1 Scene 1, Line 66. This is a misquote from the bible and shows that Iago is proud of being duplicative and pays no heed to God. By the end of his second soliloquy, Iago has managed to convince himself that both Othello and Cassio have slept with his wife: "twixt my sheets, he's done my office..."Iago of Othello, Act 1 Scene 3, Lines 369-370, "for I fear Cassio with my night-cap too" Iago, Act 2 Scene 1, Line 288. Whether or not Iago has a capacity to be trusting is not clear in the play, however his untrustworthiness would counterbalance any signs of his ability to trust others. Although he believes Othello has
Lago: The Evil in Othello
Lago;The Evil in Othello Iago is quite possibly one of the best examples of evil in literature. He is not merely manipulative as other "bad guys". Iago also brings the interesting aspect of truth into it all. He quite literally tells the best lies using mostly the truth. What can we call him? Whether it be the devil, Satan, Beelzebub, Lucifer or Moloch, these words represent the very same idea: pure evil. Not the terrible creature from beyond, or anything quite so mundane as that, but the fundamental belief of malignancy in the world. All of these ideas reach a phenomenal peak in Iago. Iago does not have the casual killing persona of a Stalinor Mao, but instead possesses the pure hatred of everything he deems to be good and pure. His very existence is for the destruction of the truly innocent. From the very beginning of Othello, Iago is in the midst of his scheme to destroy Othello. He speaks with the muddy-mettled rascal, Roderigo. And from the very first moment Iago admits to not really being what he seems. He is not what he is. And what does he use as his reasoning for his obvious ill towards Othello. Well, he is sort of mad that Cassio was chosen as a Lieutenant instead of him. It is interesting that Iago feels the need to justify himself to a pantywaist like Roderigo, who entrusts him with his "purse" without really even knowing him.
Iago's Homosexuality is the key to understanding Shakespeare's characterisation
Iago's Homosexuality is the key to understanding Shakespeare's characterisation. Homosexuality doesn't really occur in renaissance drama, particularly tragedies. So it's quite surprising that as an audience we are left to wonder if Iago is infact gay. What can be confirmed is that Iago's sexuality is extremely twisted. He clearly shows negative feelings towards his wife and she could be seen as just a helper in his plans, or even a cover up to his true sexuality. " You rise play, and go to bed to work.", he is completely degrading women. Emilia replies, " You shall not write my praise." Shakespeare set's up their rocky relationship from the first exchange we see between them. This means there could be more tension to come from the loveless couple. Iago tells Othello, " I am yours favour" this almost sounds like vow for a marriage and sets up the indication that Iago might be gay. Iago describes to Othello, how he "laid" with Cassio, and in Casio's dream, he mumbled his love for Desdemona and how Cassio started feeling up Iago; perhaps this is an indication of Iago's 'lust' for Cassio in that he is describing to Othello, what he wants Cassio to do to him. It might not be that he's exactly gay, just not really into women either. Iago could be played as vein and love himself as he is completely selfish. Shakespeare has presented in Iago a character whose only motive is evil
Give a detailed analysis of Othello's final speech,
Give a detailed analysis of Othello's final speech, "Soft you a word or two before I go..." as presented in the various screen interpretations you have seen. Discuss the effectiveness. Put forward alternative staging options which you feel would be more effective. Make links with different Literary - Critical interpretations, as well as with context material. Show how the passage picks up themes from the play as a whole. Andrew Mackay 12E WORD COUNT: 1606 DATE: 04/02/03 The five screen interpretations where all with the actors playing Othello as, Welles, Olivier, Hopkins, White and Fishburne. All five were produced on video format with a contrast of film and stage presentations. I have decided to focus on the three presentations of, Olivier, White and Fishburne. The final speech of Othello starts with Othello near to or cradling the limp lifeless boy of Desdemona after he has killed her. Iago has been arrested and Emilia is dead. The play is closing in the traditional Shakespearian way with an explosive and emotional ending similar to Romeo and Juliet with the loves killing themselves as a result of misfortune and lies. In the films there is a mixture of setting and performance styles and some of the Othello's are "blacked up" as they are of Caucasian natural skin. This speech is important as it is the culmination of the whole play and all the issues raised as to the love
He is a man "more sinned against than sinning".Discuss with relation to the character of Othello.
He is a man "more sinned against than sinning". Discuss with relation to the character of Othello. As the play progresses, Othello's character goes through many changes which happen as a result of him falling victim to Iago's evil schemes. At first he is introduced as an army general who is respected for what he does but still discriminated against for being black. Othello is a victim to racism throughout the play. He is often referred to as "the Moor" even by his beloved Desdemona and is also called by more offensive terms. Iago uses animal imagery in referring to Othello as an "old black ram". The use of animal imagery degrades Othello and use of the word "black" implies that black people were thought to be as low as animals. Emilia also calls Othello "the blacker devil" which is certainly a racist term; however, under the circumstances in which it was used she had fair reason to insult him. Furthermore, Brabantio throws harsh abusive accusations and hypocritical insults at Othello. Othello had often been invited to Brabantio's house to speak of his experiences on the battle field; however, when it comes out that Othello has married has married his daughter Desdemona he accuses Othello of having "practised on her foul charms" and that he 2hast enchanted her" in order to seduce her into his "cunning hell". This may show Othello as a victim to Brabantio, but Brabantio was
What is the significance of Iagos Soliloquies in Othello?
What is the significance of Iago's Soliloquies in 'Othello'? 'Othello' is a Shakespearian tragedy written in 1604. Othello is a black African prince who is a general in the Venetian army. He wrongly falls in love with Desdemona, who comes from a noble family, where it is unacceptable to marry a black man. After Othello gives a promotion to Cassio, Iago gets extremely jealous. His jealousy gets the better of him, and he plans to break Othello. Because of his manipulation, Othello, Desdemona, Emilia who is Iago's wife and Roderigo who is a friend, all die. One of the main characters in 'Othello' is Othello. Othello is black and this makes him a victim of racism. The earliest experience of racism is when Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio to tell him "an old black ram is tupping your white ewe." By this, they mean that Othello is having sex with Brabantio's daughter Desdemona. This makes Othello seem like the perpetrator, and Desdemona as the victim. It puts Othello in the wrong straight away and makes him sound evil and horrible. Othello lives in a white society and this also contributes to the fact he is a haven for racism. He stands out in this society as a unique character. Othello falls in love with the very attractive Desdemona. Desdemona comes from a noble family and is extremely independent and faithful. Cassio is Othello's lieutenant and is used in Iago's plan to break
Examine the techniques Iago employs to achieve his aims in the play Othello.
Examine the techniques Iago employs to achieve his aims in the play Othello. In traditional Shakespearean tragedies the protagonist is destroyed through their own fatal flaw. The play Othello is different because there is a villain which is unusual for a Shakespearean tragedy. In the play Macbeth, the tragic events occur because of Macbeths own fatal flaw of ambition. However in the play Othello; Iago, one of the main characters manipulates Othello's fatal flaw of jealously which leads to the tragic ending of the play. He says how he is using Othello by "following him I follow but myself"; he is pretending to be loyal to Othello but is really doing it for his own benefit. Iago plans revenge on Othello when he gives Cassio the job of lieutenant instead of to him; he describes himself as "worth no worse a place" and is showing that he thinks highly of himself. Even after he manages to get Cassio dismissed and replaces him as lieutenant, he still continues to carry out his plan of destruction. This reveals that the reason of Iagos plans are merely just for fun. Iago deceives everyone even Roderigo who supports him, not knowing everything about Iago's plans, he even questions why he "ever made a fool my purse" which shows he is only using Roderigo for his own benefit. No-one in the play seems to know what Iago is really like. He manipulates everyone in the play to gain
How does Shakespeare in Act One create an atmosphere of uncertainty & duplicity
How does Shakespeare in Act One create an atmosphere of uncertainty & duplicity? "Tush! Never tell me...thou, Iago, who hast had my purse/ As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this." Ingeniously Shakespeare captivates the audience's attention immediately. The audience are propelled into a conversation exposing one man's disbelief regarding news he has received, that is yet to be divulged to the audience. Tension is aroused from the very start, stimulating an atmosphere of uncertainty, spawning a hungry desire for the audience to uncover Roderigo's misfortune. Roderigo asserts that Iago has had a free reign with his money, his unsettled manner is directed at Iago. Thus, Shakespeare has contrived the introductory scene to foreshadow Iago's character as a treacherous swindler. Moreover, Roderigo must have had a generous amount of faith in Iago to confide and trust him with his money. It remains ambiguous at the beginning of Act One as to whether or not Iago and Roderigo are close companions or business associates discussing a deal, or a mutual arrangement of some sort involving money. Subsequently, the audience learns of Iago's passionate loathing for a character who is talked about in sarcastic and bitter undertones. Throughout Iago's speech he makes reference to him: 'make me his lieutenant,' 'Off-capped to him,' and 'But
Discuss and evaluate how Shakespeare uses language to present the character of Othello in Act 1 Scene 3, Act 3 Scene 3 and Act 4 scene 1.
Discuss and evaluate how Shakespeare uses language to present the character of Othello in Act 1 Scene 3, Act 3 Scene 3 and Act 4 scene 1. The play "Othello" was written by William Shakespeare in the 17th century. The most important character, Othello, is the eponymous hero of the play. A hero that is broken down from such a high status to a status that isn't dissimilar from an animal's, a 'Barbary horse' for example, a remark that reduces Othello's humanity and is ironically made by Iago, at the beginning of the play, the man that contributes significantly to Othello's tragic downfall. The play is set in Venice and is one of Shakespeare's greatest tragic dramas. Venice was a unique city, it was small but 500 years ago it was one of the great trading centers of the known world. Her power spread far. The enemies of this empire were the Turks. Christian civilisation was at risk because of this. The brave soldier Othello, classed as an outsider because of his North African roots, was a strategic thinker employed to defend Venice and the Christian Civilisation that he represents. Shakespeare uses Othello's language to create a conflict of interest, because society at the time resented people of colour, however Othello's persona and manner, at the beginning of the play, appeals to the Shakespearean audience and they begin to like him. Towards the end of the play, this changes and
