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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help
Iago is probably the most interesting character, here's a few
of his possible motives:
Some obvious ones-- Revenge--claims he has been cuckolded
(I.iii.386-390 by Othello and maybe even Cassio, Jealousy--Cassio
was promoted instead of him, and he rubs his face in it in
several instances (V.i.17-22)"Cassio's...daily beauty in life
that makes me ugly...". These are instances of frustrated
amition. There are slight hints of his lust for Desdemona,
possibly as part of his revenge against Othello.
Some others-- Racism: he was secondary to a black man who had
more power and control than him. Lust for power is another
motivation. Some think Iago hold inside his innate cruelty and
evil; he is pleased with destruction and has a love of mischief.
He also has many lines of misogyny (II.i.160 is one).
You might also note his sense of superiority, or possibly his
sense of inferiority and self-hatred as his motives. He thinks
he is really great and smart, but he is certainly not as high
ranking as he believes he should be. Others in the play don't
seem to think he is as worthy ("honest," maybe)as he thinks: no
one says a word about Cassio's promotion instead of him.
One last motivation may homosexual--he loves Othello and wants
to get rid of everone else around Othello. If his scheme would
have worked, who would have been left? No Desdemona, Cassio,
just him and Othello left. His mysogyny is clear. In one scene
where Oth and Des are having a tender moment, Iago comments
"O, you are well tuned now! / But I'll set down the pegs that
make this music, / As honest as I am" (II.i.199-201). Hence, he
will turn their harmony into discord. In addition, Iago's
comments are commonly sexual and relates heterosexal activities
as animalistic exchanges. Think also about the scene around
III.iii.413- and what Iago might be thinking there. Most
important for this argument, though, may be the end of that scene
where he and Othello make sacred vows to each other and then the
famous words: Oth. "Now art thou my lieutenant" Iago. "I
am your own for ever"
Hope that helps.Posted by Tristan Scholze on April 13, 1997 at 22:08:17
In Reply to ""OTHELLO"" posted by Aleena on April 11, 1997 at 20:33:57
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help