The Complex Character of Iago of Shakespeares Othello Essay -- Othell

The Complex Character of Iago of Othello Iago can be clearly mentionized as the villain in Shakespeares Othello. The notion of the honest Iago does at times appear not to be a misnomer. In this essay I shall attempt to explore the complexities contained within the character of Iago. One of the most interesting questions that crops up is the one concerning Iagos motives. What are his reasons to kill each major Venetian in Cyprus? Shakespeare seemingly sets the stage for Iagos actions, giving him two distinct reasons to avenge Othello. The first is the fact that Othello promotes Cassio, an arithmetician to the rank of lieutenant and passes over Iago who is but a sergeant. Secondly, Iago is suspicious of his wife, Emilia and thinks she is sleeping with every other man but himincluding Othello. There are other reasons that Iago talks about in his soliloquiesthe primary one being jealousy or the green-eyed monster. Iago resents the love that Othello and Desdemona share and also takes offence at the fact that Othello is older, yet he has a young and beautiful wife, power, and respect, all that Iago desires. However, all these reasons seem to be false and made-up just for the sake of being excuses for his malice or perhaps they seem to sum up a sense of paranoia. Furthermore he uses these reasons to convince Roderigo to hate Othello. The real motive seems but a slip on Iagos part w... ...Works Cited and Consulted Bradley, A. C.. Shakespearean Tragedy. New York Penguin, 1991. Di Yanni, Robert. Character Revealed finished Dialogue. Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Literature. N. p. Random House, 1986. Mack, Maynard. Everybodys Shakespeare Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies. Lincoln, NB University of Nebraska Press, 1993. Shakespeare. Othello. The Longman Anthology of British Literature. Ed. Rossi. New York Longman, 1999. 312-379. Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http//www.eiu.edu/multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.