Tuesday, May 13th, 2014
Othello
Summary of Othello: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp6LqSgukOU
Article: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/?verb=sr&csi=10939&sr=HEADLINE%28Othello%29%2BAND%2BDATE%2BIS%2B2002
Clearly, throughout the entire book we see that Iago is the person who sets forth the play. With Iago’s hatred for Othello, he plots Othello’s fall.
Here is an analyzation Of Iago’s character:
According to Harold Bloom, Iago can be considered a “artist of evil”. Iago clearly finds enjoyment plotting against the characters we see in Othello. We can also assume that Iago is one of the most mysterious villains throughout the play. Throughout the entire play Iago dedicates his entire time plotting against Othello and Cassio. Clearly Iago is jealous of both Othello and Cassio because Othello is Iago’s general and Cassio was his lieutenant. He was able to convince Othello, that his wife, Desdemona, was cheating on Othello with Cassio. Iago end the end convinced Othello to murder his wife. Iago was also able to convince Roderigo to fight Cassio and both end up being wounded. However through all the tragedies that were caused by Iago, Iago didn’t get any benefit from all the deaths of the characters. Some argue that Iago had no motives and that he is pure evil, we never really find out why Iago wants to plot against Othello because he does not gain anything from killing Othello. Iago might be in lust with Othello because it seems throughout the play, he is plotting against Desdemona and trying to eliminate her from Othello, in the end he never killed Othello, it was Othello himself decided to suicide.
Discussion Question:
1. In most Shakespeare plays, usually characters plot villainous things in order to receive something in return, or do it out of revenge, clearly we never really find out why Iago hates him Othello so much, could it be that he is pure evil? Or could it be that Iago wants Desdemona?
2. If Iago isn’t in lust with Desdemona what could be his objectives for plotting against Desdemona and Othello?