The Devil as Iago in Shakespeare’s Othello Essay -- GCSE Coursework Sh

The D nuisance as Iago in Shakespeares Othello One question that has ofttimes been debated amongst literary scholars is what could have cause Iago to set off such a chain of events which accumulated in the horrific amount of death and tragical consequences that occur in William Shakespeares play Othello. On the surface, one could unnaturally assume that Iago was spurred by two reasons to carry out such a malicious and inhumane plan. His anger of being passed over for lieutenantship by Othello in favor of Cassio, coupled with his inclinations that his wife has slept with Othello, drives Iago to partake in dangerous and manifestly insurmountable actions in order to climb up the social escape and exact revenge on Othello. Chief proponents of this belief that Iago was solely motivated by these two factors would argue that he was simply a Machiavellian-inspired scoundrel who took action only in the devised betterment of himself and his current status. However, when one delves into I agos unholy actions and intentions on a deeper level, it is clear that a metaphysical subdivision exists in his character that when revealed is utterly haunting and truly horrific. A more(prenominal) penetrating analysis of Iago shows that he is not only the embodiment of evil but that he is in fact the Devil himself, who is set on destroying everything that is good in the lives of Othellos characters. A main underlying approximation that resides in Othello is Shakespeares constant usage of outward appearance as opposed to reality. It is Iago, who in the opening act of the play, makes this clearly obvious to the sense of hearing stating I am not what I am(1.1.65). Although it is not just revealed to the audience who Iago really is (i.e. the Devil), this statement is a direct rev... ...o Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Literature. N. p. stochastic House, 1986. Mack, Maynard. Everybodys Shakespeare Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies. Lincoln, NB University of Nebraska Press, 1993. Muir, Kenneth. Introduction. William Shakespeare Othello. New York Penguin Books, 1968. Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http//www.eiu.edu/multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos. Wilson, H. S. On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy. Canada University of Toronto Press, 1957. Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. The lovely Qualities of Othello. Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Introduction to The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare. N. p. Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1957