Othello Coursework Essay

Othello is one of Shakespe bes tragedies merely also a love study of two lovers. Shakespe ares tragic heroes always had at least one main flaw, which contributed to their downf tout ensemble. In Othellos case it was jealousy when he was told Desdemona was having an affair. Other themes the secure deals with includes hatred, racism, betrayal and discrimination. Although Othello is the main protagonist in the play, however, in many ways Iago seems to be the dominant spirit. Iago is presented in complete contrast to Othello, and is the villain of the play.Othello is a reckon high-ranking general whereas Iago is a humbleer location and referred to as in his ancient or his ensign. Many critics often describe Iago as the teller of Othello a fascinating typeface who is the main focussing of the play. Many critics also see Iago as an intrigue character as he open fire be unpredictable. At the beginning of the play, it is Iago and Roderigo who are the first on stage, not Othello . If one were to form an opinion of Othello from this discussion, it would not be a favourable one.The audience is make aware of Iagos hatred of Othello because Othello promoted Cassio changea of him and his judgment that Othello slept with his wife. Further more than Roderigo is jealous of the fact that Othello has taken Desdemona as his wife. In Act 2 Scene 3 of Othello, Iago is presented as the puppeteer, constantly manipulating everyone around him. Critics have argued nearly Iagos motives for wanting to hurt others but in this scene he comes across as vicious and malicious. The scene is set in a fort and opens with Iago trying to get Cassio drunk.Iago motivated by his proneness for power is attempting to dispose Cassio of his military posture as a lieutenant. Knowing that Cassio cannot handle his liquor it would be more likely he would fight if hes drunk and that would make him look bad in Othellos eyes. The opening scene presents us with a brief exchange of Cassio and Iago controversial analysis on Desdemona. In the dialogue, Cassio remarks are polite and complimentary to Desdemona stating she is overnice lady, fresh, delicate creature, blue and perfection. Iago on the other hand has a contrasting view compared to Cassio.Iago suggests that Desdemona is full of game and athletic contest and that there is provocation in her eye suggests two characters have different views on women. Iagos low opinion of Desdemona only deepens his misogynist view and his dislike for women because of the picture Desdemona has over Othello. This can exhibits his jealousy because Desdemona is an exceedingly attractive character with a higher awful status than his wife, giving him a reason to hate Othello. Iago has the opportunity to consider his plans in his soliloquy when Cassio leaves to encounter some heros for a drink.One way we can tell the presentation of Iago as a character in Act 2 Scene 3 is through his soliloquies. It reveals Iagos true character an d end to get Cassio drunk so that he loses control and becomes quarrelsome to get into a fight with Roderigo, Am I to put our Cassio in some military action. His skills of persuasions show his power to manipulate people into believe him to cover his act of being an honest friend that adds to the presentation of his character. Iagos clever perspective to perceiver this from a person allows the audience insight into heterogeneous schemes or secrets to his motives that other characters are blind to. what is more, Iagos down the stairsstanding and manipulating the weakness of those around him make him a powerful and compelling figure that Shakespeare have render in this scene. Cassio who has been left in a property of responsibility by Othello will shame himself as a lieutenant and loose his slope as part of Iagos plan that will come through him power for his talent of understanding and manipulating peoples weaknesses, If consequences do but approve my dream. Iago states he is willing to take on revenge on anyone that gets in his way of achieving Othellos downfall.The end conduct would make up for what he lost on his way and enjoys the pain and damage he causes which he approves. The first soliloquy in this act shows us how narrow-minded Iago is and lacks emotions or feelings towards the people around him or himself. W. H Auden describes Iago as a Practical turkey of a peculiar appalling kind. W. H attempts to portray Iago as a more humane character than he really is. Loyalty, love, friendship and guilt are all emotions that make us human. Iago misunderstands this concept of feelings, which leads him to his downfall.Shakespeare presents Iago with waiver of emotional connections in his character show the tragedy of how isolated Iago is. Shortly after Roderigo raises the alarm under Iagos instructions, Shakespeare uses dramatic ridicule to present Iagos actions as he pretends to be the peacemaker. Othello aroused from his eternal sleep ask honest Iago for an explanation of the disturbance. Without being unpatriotic to Othello or to Cassio, he ironically follows Montanos advice upon his awarding as a solider to tell the truth of his reading of the nights events.While trying to pay off Cassio by making excuses for him, Iago endures that Othello will have no other option than to remove him as his position for causing a shameful public display. The irony of Iagos account, we known that Iago constantly tries to underplay Cassios part in the fight, I had rather ha this tongue cut from my mouth, Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio. With pestilent additions such as, And Cassio high in oaths, which till tonight / I neer might see before and but men are men, the outgo some judgment of convictions forget reveals that Cassio has disgraced himself to befit a high ranking officer.Cassio sacked from his lieutenant position, Iago pretends to be a true friend by advising Cassio to look for help from Desdemona to gain his positio n back. This broken phrase between you and her husband entreat her to splinter. Shakespeare smartly portrays Iago as an evil mastermind who attends to aid Cassio, instead manipulating the situation in order to make it appear to Othello that Desdemona has emotions for Cassio when she pleads for his job. This sequence allows us to see Iagos manipulative nature in a continuous range from the way he has made others see him to the revealing of his true self.The way hes portrayed, we are amazed by his mastery of switching facades or identities without a trace of guilt. Iago when speaking with Montano, questions Cassio integrity and his position as a Lieutenant. Iago manages to suggest his support and bushel for his comrade while at the same time, destroying his credibleness and honour. He mentions to Montano that Cassio is a solider fit to stand by Caesar as 2nd in command but his drinking habits matches his virtue and implies he drinks every night.Iagos apparent concerns furthers as he criticises Othellos perspicacity for trusting Cassio to be his lieutenant shows his jealousy to be overshadowed and therefore lost his social class that he lacks of. His hatred dominates him just like he dominates all the other characters. Iago seems to master all the emotions that might reckon his facade and never shows a trace of skittishness that intensify the power he has over the characters in the play and his ability to control the situation to his will.Furthermore when Iago protests to Montano that he is reluctant to highlight Cassios problems to Othello, as he loves Cassio and would not wish him any harm. The irony of this situation is the fact that once Montano suggest it would be an honest action to inform Othello, Iago declines. This is the only time we see Iago is speechless and to make him look more trustworthy, he implies that his allegiance is to a higher kind of honesty.