Look at Me, Look at You

After looking a while for a strong image, I found this caption taken from the 1995 movie:

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“A picture is worth a thousand words” – This picture is representing, in my opinion, the whole relationship between Othello and Iago throughout the play. Observing closely, Iago is looking at Othello in a derogatory way, with a lot of hatred and he’s face expression. Iago is also looking at him like predators look on their pray. He has awful plans for him and is willing to do whatever it takes (lie, deceive and manipulate) in order to cause him damage. This looks is summarizing the revenge that he seeks so much from Othello. A good example is when Othello didn’t accept Iago’s efforts for him to question his (Othello) wife, but was very innocent thinking he is trying to help him rather than actually making it up to cause damage –

(Iago) My lord, you know I love you.

(Othello) I think thou dost.

And for I know thou ‘rt full of love and honesty

And weigh’st thy words before thou giv’st them breath,

Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more.

For such things in a false disloyal knave

Are tricks of custom, but in a man that’s just

They are close dilations, working from the heart,

That passion cannot rule. (AIII SIII, 134-143)

Iago is playing the good friend role, and Othello really thinks he loves him and cares about him and wants the best of him. Back to the picture – While Iago has destructive plans for Othello, the second isn’t noticing it (looking the other way, straight, instead of back into his eyes, understanding / confronting Iago – you say you can see the truth in people’s eyes). Othello is disconnected from reality, and Iago has successfully established his trust. Othello isn’t even maintaining eye-contact to question Iago in the picture, and he is too good in his thinking. He is missing what is going on behind his back. The picture shows it perfectly – Iago with his intentions looking into Othello watching every step, changing and modifying the plan accordingly, and from the other side, Othello, innocent, clueless and helpless (we see that his face expression isn’t really happy after all). Fascinating.

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