‘Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago.’ (L57.A1.S1) This quote shows that Iago said that if he were Othello, he would not want to be Iago. Iago said this because he knows how horrible he is and how he is going to cause Othello lots of trouble. I think the audience knows at this point that Iago is a sinister character that is put in the play to cause trouble.
‘I am not what I am.’ (L65.A1.S1) Shakespeare shows us that Iago can not be trusted because he is not going to show his true desires. Iago is now going to twist and manipulate people to get what he want’s.
‘Rouse him, make after him.’ (L68.A1.S1) This quote shows Iago manipulating Roderigo to wake up Brabantio. This once again shows that Iago is very manipulative and nasty because he want’s to wake up Brabantio. The reason for this is because Othello is sleeping with Brabantio’s daughter and Iago knows this will get Othello in trouble.
‘an old black ram / is tupping your white ewe.’ (L88/89.A1.S1) This quote shows Iago is being very spiteful towards Othello referring to him as an animal. Iago knows this will not please Brabantio and cause trouble for Othello. Shakespeare shows the audience the hatred Iago feels for Othello by calling him ‘an old black ram.’ The word ‘black’ refers to Othello’s skin colour showing that Iago is racist and that Iago is emphasisng the point to Brabantio.
In Act 1, Scene1 on Line 91 Iago refers to Othello as ‘the Devil.’ Iago said this because the Devil was thought to be black. This once again shows Iago is racist and cruel.
Shakespeare shows us that Iago constantly refers to Othello as something racist or unpleasant. Iago is doing this because of the intense dislike he feels for Othello but also because he want’s to stir up Brabantio and get Othello in vexation.
‘and jennets for germans’ (L112.A1.S1) Iago uses animal imagery again to describe Othello. This once again shows his grudge towards Othello.
‘trifle with your reverence’ This quote shows us that Iago is getting Othello into trouble again by saying to Brabantio that Othello has treated you in a disrespectful way.
‘I had thought t’have yerked him here under the ribs.’ (L5.A1.S2) This quote shows that Iago tells Othello that Roderigo has been spreading foul reports about him. Iago said they were so foul that he could barely restrain himself from killing Roderigo. We can clearly see that Iago is acting getting Roderigo in trouble like he had done before getting Othello in trouble. The audience can see that Iago is two faced and is not to be trusted. I think Iago is trying to be nice to Othello because he want’s revenge and because he want’s the job of lieutenant.
‘I have’t. It is engendered.’(L401.A1.S1) This quote shows that Iago conceived a plan. Iago is going to tell Othello that Cassio slept with Desdemona. If this plan comes off Iago will be extremely happy because he knows that he will be promoted to lieutenant and Othello will split up with Desdemona, which will cause unhappiness for Othello. This will effectively kill two birds with one stone.
From the evidence I presented I think it is clear to see that Iago is as I said manipulative, scheming and nasty. Iago is a typical bad character, which will cause the audience to watch him very closely. I think Shakespeare puts Iago into the play to keep the audience watching to see what he does and I think he will cause a lot of suspense in the rest of the play.
The play up to Act 2.
By Tom Fowler
