Othello: Literary Essay on Iago Essay

Hu domains are born with a vivid capacity for wakeless and evil. As an person develops, he or she is taught to blot surrounded by the two in order to strengthen a thought of right and wrong. Through Shakespeares play, Othello (Heinemann Advanced Shakespeare, 2000) we are introduced to a meticulously devious character, Iago. Ironically affiliated with the military, a substandard moral compass, transmit his unreasonable code of conduct. Well educated on human behaviour, his overleap of ethics enables his character to exploit this skill set to deceive those well-nigh him, ultimately disguising his genuine character. Between self-perception, oppose character perceptions and audition perception, Iago portrays a brilliantly, manipulative villain whose two dimensional nature is c at one timealed infra sheets of false sympathy, integrity and empathy.Beyond all else, Iago considers himself a man of true wit and distinction. In Act I, he furiously declares, I sleep with my price (p. 3). By this statement, he admits to Rodrigo, that upon oversight for the position of first lieutenant, his commit service and efforts have been in vain. Having served at the front lines of the war, Iago adamantly deems that his echelon of begin proves him a more deserving candidate, than young Cassio. More so, an over confidence in his abilities, lead to the belief that he is of a superior authority, I am worth no worse a place (ibid). keep his argument of non promotion, Iago sees it unbearable, even shameful that he has been regarded with such(prenominal) insignificance. A man of his status and self imposed importance should not be flying to such a pitiable standard. In having lost kayoed on the appointment, Iagos pride and dignity have been considerably impaired.Once a devoted soldier under Othellos command, Iago believed it was his rightful place to advance promotion to lieutenant. When these birthations werenot met, it brought out the worst in Iago and the decision w as understand as a personal offence to his proficiency. Although having already, risen to adequate ranks, Iago could not fathom the injustice. His superior and extensive knowledge had been undermined. In comparison to the wassail era, this form of injustice is experienced frequently in professions where favoured parties lose out on coveted positions to seemingly less experienced oppositions. Victims feel at loss and that their competence has been jeopardised. Due to varying circumstances, these conceited opinions cannot be diffused as it translates into bad character and conduct. Consequently, Iago set out on a conquest for supremacy. Uncannily, abiding by modern day author, Robert Greenes, Law 3 hold in your intentions, of The 48 Laws of Power (1998), detailing observational aspects profitable in a rise to command.Within the community of Cyprus, Iago gave no obvious reason for opposing characters to suspect his cunning. In this respect, he was constantly referred to as Honest I ago (p. 41). Specifically, Othello, in a heartfelt way used the term, Honest Iago, My Desdemona must I leave to thee. I prithee permit thy wife attend to her (ibid). Not completely does Othello impart trust with ease, and he mistakes Iago as a dear friend. One who would never study to bring harm to Desdemona or he. This misplacement of faith encourages Iago in his surreptitious endeavours. On several more occasions we witness other characters mistakenly confer with and about Iagos sincere nature. Following a austere night for Cassio, he bids a farewell of, Good night, honest Iago (p. 99) incognizant of Iagos key role in his ruin. Desdemona continues the chain of mistrust when she speaks, O, thats an honest fellow (p. 113) of Iagos phony grievances of Cassios unfortunate predicament.An individuals nature can be concealed in non-homogeneous forms at heart the comp some(prenominal) he keeps, Law 12 Use discriminating honesty and generosity to disarm your victims (Greene, 1998 ). Iago, around such company manipulates and deceives his companions that he is faithful. Having grasped an understanding of human behavior, this wisdom is disposed done cruelty and brutality. In persuading the Cyprus population of his sincerity, unknown to the other characters, Iago fuels his perception of his superiority. Such is his witthat for a much of the play, his deceit goes undetected. When it appears that a character may unknowingly wear out Iagos ulterior motives, he buries the potential realisation beneath simulated concern.Among the audience, the consensus is that Iago is purely composed of self-assertion, jealousy and hostility. Triumphant in his succession to offer false evidence of Cassios incompetence, Iago announces, And whats he then that says I play the villain, When this advice is free I give and honest(Shakespeare, p. 99). Arrogance radiates from his hilarity manner, of having provided Cassio with ingenious and true advice. Jealousy held as incentive to w hich Iago brought about the demotion and disbelieve of Cassio. Moreover, this envy fuelled his ploy in planting a seed of win over doubt to which Othello was wrongly mislead that his wife, Desdemona, was unfaithful. Not only in determine the detriment of the Moors marriage, Iago displayed hostility through his own relationship with Emilia, To have a foolish wife (p. 133), consistent with yet another(prenominal) law, Law 20 Do not commit to anyone, (Greene, 1998).Only to the audience is Iagos evil nature revealed for a significant portion of the play. We are exposed to his ulterior motives, lies and ultimate betrayal, I follow him to serve my while upon him (Shakespeare, p. 5). Unlike any other character in the play, Iago is not daunted by the level of destruction he causes, neither to whom. In consequent scenes, viewers witness the steady yet gradual downfall of the Moor. Unsuspecting, characters, indirectly aid Iagos cause, particularly his ignorant, praise seeking wife, Emili a, which furthermore increases his arrogance of his unmatched brilliance. To the audience each move Iago makes is calculated methodically and only adds to the current chaos of the present scene.Iago possesses an astute two dimensional disposition. His intention throughout the play is to ensure the Moors eventual ruin. He becomes the bane of Othellos existence, through conniving, unforgivable means, only recognized by the audience if not himself. Born of a natural capacity for good and evil, it is evident that Iago acquires no good, a concept hidden from other characters within the play. In relation to the present, Iagodemonstrates the extremity to which an individual will go in order to sabotage the happiness and prosperity of an enemy. Persecutors hold a game opinion of themselves, as Iago displayed. Yet, by all means this strategy to affiance such an attack is achieved through clandestine, surreptitious modes. Iago can distinguish between right and wrong but still, he opts for t he latter.As Nobel Prize laureate, William Golding, once said, We need more humanity, more care, more love. There are those who expect a political system to bring forth that and others who expect the love to produce the system. (Nobel Lecture, Dec 7, 1983). Humanity is defenceless against the erroneous nature of individuals like Iago. repeatedly throughout Othello (Shakespeare, 2000), his master scheme endures unnoticed. As children, we are prompted to recognise faithfulness and vice (Zak. J. P. The Moral Molecule, 2011) to instil a sense of ethicality, nonetheless, alongside such vindictive figures like Iago, the system (Nobel Lecture, 1983), political or military, regresses on any potential advancement, stunting humanity, more care, more love (ibid). Humanity is pliable to evil, regardless encouragement otherwise. As long as rouges exist, an eternal conflict will ensue between good and bad, unmistakably demonstrated through Iagos performance.BibliographyNovel ReferencesGray, C. (Series 2000). Othello. Heinemann Advanced Shakespeare. London Briddles Ltd.Website ReferencesGolding, G. W. (Dec 7, 1983). Nobel Lecture. Retrieved Aug 27, 2013, from http//www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1983/golding-lecture.htmlKeltner, D. (2007-08). The Power Paradox. Retrieved Aug 28, 2013 from http//greatergood.berkeley.edu/ condition/item/power_paradoxUnknown Author. (No date). The 48 Laws of Power. Retrieved Aug 28, 2013 from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_48_Laws_of_PowerZak, J. P. (Feb 10, 2011). The Moral Molecule Are piece Good or Evil?. Retrieved Aug 28, 2013 from http//www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-moral-molecule/201102/are-humans-good-or-evil