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How is Iago presented in Othello (A* Essay)
An A* essay for the question: How is Iago presented in Shakespeare's Othello
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How is Iago presented in Othello?In Shakespeare 1604 tragedy, Iago exemplifies the dark aspects of human
nature. Shakespeare presents him as a highly powerful man who is skilled
at manipulation and deceit. His manipulation is evident throughout the
play but is most prominent in his manipulation of Roderigo and Brabantio.
His power is seen most clearly through his relationship with Othello. The
fact that he can deceive and control the tragic hero is a testament to his
power. Iago is often equated or compared to the devil and an evil
character suggesting that this power is soul corrupting and Shakespeare
warning the audience of it’s tempting but malicious nature.
Iago is presented as manipulative through the unequal relationship he has
with Roderigo. For example, at the opening Roderigo accuses Iago that he
“hast had my purse as if the strings were thine”. The metaphor illustrates
Iago’s power as he has been able to manipulate Roderigo’s desire for
Desdemona to financially profit. The noun “strings” have strong
connotations of puppetry and mastery foreshadowing the rest of the play.
However, once Desdemona and Othello are married and Iago challenges
Roderigo to “cuckold him, thou dose thyself a pleasure, me a sport”.
Roderigo is happy to “sell all [his] land”. Here Iago is using the Jacobean
fear of being cuckolded. It was extremely shameful and would ruin a
man’s reputation. Although this doesn’t happen it is clear that he is using
Roderigo’s desire to dishonour Othello. The ominous phrase “me a sport”
suggests that Iago derives pleasure and fun from the mere thought of
dishonour on Othello. It also shows he is a typical Machiavellian villain as
his plots are more than just revenge, they are a game to him. Gardener
suggests Iago is “monstrous and possesses a desire to manipulate”.
Certainly, Gardener’s assessment holds weight throughout the play and
almost every character fall victim to Iago’s manipulative power.
Another character that falls victim to Iago’s manipulation is Brabantio.
Iago has the power to draw out Brabantio’s racist ideology through his
racist provocations. He calls up to Brabantio on the night of Othello and
Desdemona’s wedding night declaring “an old black ram is topping your
white ewe”. The juxtaposition between white and black highlights the
transgressive nature of Desdemona and Othello’s union thus playing on
the Jacobean fear of miscegenation. Furthermore, the bestial imagery
suggests that Othello and Desdemona have married for lust as rams were
considered to be highly sexually driven. The zoomorphic imagery further
conveys the Jacobean stereotype that black people were “lascivious” and
primitive as it suggests carnal desires. Iago is thus presented as a
powerful manipulator as he is even able to manipulate a man of high
station like Brabantio to aid him in his vengeful plots.
Iago is presented most powerfully when he deceives Othello. Honigmann
accurately describes Iago as a “liar, betrayer and mental torturer of
Othello!”. Honigmann’s assertion is reinforced through Othello’s
accusation that Iago has “set him through the rack”. The metaphor
conveys Iago’s power as it compares Othello’s jealous paranoia to visceral
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