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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help
Iago's primary motivation for the destruction of the moor's relationship and his life in general lies in the fact that Othello has promoted Cassio, a "mathemetician", to the rank of lieutenant. Iago feels slighted because he has been passed over for the promotion. Cassio has no experience or ability as a soldier, nor has he served Othello as faithfully and valuably as Iago. The destruction of Desdemona, Roderigo, and Cassio are merely by-products of his single-minded determination to have revenge on the moor. His suggestion that Othello has been sleeping with his wife can neither be substantiated nor discounted by the evidence in the play.p.s. Don't allow these others to convince you that Iago is a mindless, passionless embodiment of "pure evil". His plotting is the simple result of being denied a promotion that obviously meant very much to him. His feeling that the Moor had betrayed him is what led him to action.
Hope this helps.
Dave
Posted by Dave on April 14, 1997 at 23:21:42
In Reply to "Iago-Motiveless Motivation??" posted by Julie Jaspersen on April 13, 1997 at 13:05:06
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help