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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help


Iago's wile

Iago is rationalizing his actions before an imaginary judge. Even here he makes fun of that make believe 'adversary' turning him into a fool that would, as it were, be convinced that Iago is merely HONESTLY relaying an innocent, unsolicited thought, when in fact, every thing he says is in order to manipulate. We see that from the beginning, even at the time of the elopement, that Iago plots and does mischief to Othello, although the shape of his plan had to be learned as events unfolded.

"If Cassio do remain,
He hath a daily beauty in his life
That makes me ugly..."
This is a bit of character revelation that Shakespeare gives us so as to help us fathom the nature of Iago. What are the qualities of Cassio that makes Iago "ugly"? First and foremost, I would say is that Cassio can stand alone and relate to others selflessly. He has no need to be a parasite and deplete the person near him. Perhaps you can add some more qualities.

Posted by Florence Amit on April 16, 1997 at 05:55:01
In Reply to "Iago-not so bad?" posted by Smurfette on April 15, 1997 at 21:40:47


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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help