This is a character grid which identifies six key themes in relation to the character of Iago in 'Othello', exploring these in detail. These headings make the basis for a thorough essay/exploration of the character and all assessment objectives required in the A level exam are touched upon. Hence t...
Iago’s motivations: Duplicity and manipulation: Iago as evil:
Can we distinguish between motives and excuses? Contrast in the way Iago speaks about Othello behind his back, and Is Iago a me
Iago claims that professional jealousy is his initial motive for to his face- ‘I hate the Moor’ ‘thicklips’ … ‘Sir’ from God?
disgracing Cassio and Othello. He is angry that Cassio has been Act 1.2- Iago swears on the Roman God- ‘By Janus I think no’. This is He is remin
promoted, when it believes he is more deserving of the the God of beginnings, endings, transitions and duality- hence this unhappy an
position. ‘I am worth no worse a place.’ He is insecure about hints to Iago’s two-faced nature. Shakespear
his social status. Iago takes advantage of Othello’s weaknesses and insecurities: ‘She qualities of
Iago tells Roderigo he hates the ‘curse of service.’ has deceived her father and may thee’ ‘She did deceive her father, Iago revels
Perhaps in going for Cassio, Iago believes he is simply marrying you.’ Act 1.1- ‘In
restoring the military hierarchy to how it should be. Act 1.1- Iago remarks that Othello is ‘well tuned’ like a lute or guitar and for love an
Iago says how he has more experience on the battlefield than sings sweetly, but Iago will ‘set down the pegs’, loosening the serve my tu
Cassio, who is instead an ‘arithmetician’ who even a strings and spoiling the music- he is ultimately saying that Othello’s God is they
‘spinster’ would know more than. Iago questions Cassio’s happiness will not be for long. morals but
manhood here also. Manipulation of Cassio in Act 2.3 as he gets him to drink- ‘he’ll be as Iago’s quot
Iago holds a grudge against Othello for promoting Cassio over full of quarrel and offence as my young mistress’ dog’. He foresees from the Bi
him. Cassio becoming aggressive when he is drunk and manipulates this. gives his law
Misogyny and racial prejudice are among Iago’s motives. References to thinking, seeing and knowing in Act 3.3 demonstrates that I am".
At the end of Act 1.3, Iago says he thinks Othello may have Iago’s ability to poison Othello’s mind. He plays the reluctant the opposit
slept with his wife, and he appears to be eaten up with sexual confidant, begging not to be pressed about his ‘vile and false’ the Devil in
jealousy: “It is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets He has thoughts. makes prom
done my office”. Iago mentions this suspicion again at the end Iago is often funny, especially in his scenes with the foolish to trap peo
of Act 2.1, explaining that he lusts after Desdemona because Roderigo, which serve as a showcase of Iago’s manipulative - greatest vu
he wants to get even with Othello “wife for wife”. BUT- there abilities. ‘Hell and n
is no evidence of Iago being cuckolded by Othello- is this just Iago has a reputation for honesty, for reliability and direct speaking. that he will
an excuse he has created? Othello and others in the play constantly refer to him as "honest uses a solilo
‘poisonous mineral’ of jealousy that he feels following the Iago." He even outwardly claims his love for Othello: ‘My Lord, you audience. T
rumour about Othello and Emilia. know I love you.’ Yet in reality he invents elaborate lies in order to Macbeth, h
The unfairness of Cassio’s happy life rankles Iago- ‘If Cassio do manipulate and exploit other people. concluding
remain, he has a daily beauty in his life, that makes me ugly’ It is Iago’s duplicity which makes him successful, as he can play a corruptiv
(Act 5.1) different roles. With Cassio, he is coarse and genial when offering metaphoric
He his motivated by his thirst and obsession for control and practical advice. He adopts a sympathetic approach with Oxymoroni
power over others, and he lets this take over his whole life. Desdemona. With Montano and Lodovico he makes a point of devils will t
Necessity forces his hand, and, in order to destroy Othello, he stressing that he has Othello’s and the Venetian state’s best heavenly sh
must also destroy Roderigo, Emilia, Desdemona, and interests at heart. which are s
ultimately himself. How Iago acts during Othello’s fit demonstrates his duplicity. He who are cle
Iao’s relationship with Roderigo is driven by callous greed. stands over Othello, revelling in his ‘medicine’, but when Cassio Act 3.3- ‘Th
A05- Coleridge: ‘motiveless malignity.’ arrives Iago instantly plays the role of concerned ensign. act upon th
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