Transcript:
e character I have chosen in the play Othello by Shakespeare to analyse is Iago. My choice was Iago due to
there being more information on him compared to other characters and he was one of the first people in the
cast that were introduced in Act One. In the play, it is evident that Iago is the antagonist as this is shown
through his words and actions. He is also the standard-bearer of Othello. Inthe play, there are diferent kinds
of dramatic speech that are used such as lyric, poetry, rhyme, blank verse,and prose. esespeech techniques
are to create tone and atmosphere. Iago speaks in prose which says a lot about a character as this highlights he
is an important character and is from a lower class. In Act 1 Shakespeare presents Iago as a cunning and
multifaceted character. He is also not the faithful soldier he appears to be to Othello and this is shown in the
quote” I am not what I am”. is phrase is similar to the one in the bible when Moses asks God his name, God
replies ‘I am that I am.’ ‘I am that I am’ is taken to mean God and Iago’s statement is the opposite which implies
he is the opposite of God. Given the nature of Iago, one could say this implication that he is the devil in the play.
e two main ideas that apply to Iago are revenge and jealousy.
e first main idea that applies to Iago isjealousy. roughout the play, there are various moments where Iago
highlights the emotions of envy and jealousy. In Act One jealousy is evident through his actions and words. is
is shown through descriptive language and techniques. Iago is jealous of both Othello’s success and the fact
that Othello made Cassio Lieutenant. Iago is frustrated with this as heclaims that Cassio has never set foot on
the battlefield and that Othello promoted Cassio by letter and afection and not by old graduation (Act 1 Scene 1).
“And who does he choose? A guy who knows more about numbers than fighting!” is suggests that Iago is
jealous as he did not get a higher rank and the technique of a rhetorical question and the exclamation mark
shows the audience that he is outraged and envious of Cassio for receiving the rank of lieutenant.
e second idea is revenge. “I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets 'Has done my ofice. I know
not if 't be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if forsurety.” is quote portrays the hate Iago has for
“the Moor” which is Othello as he believes he deserves a better position and he has heard a rumour that Othello
has been hooking up with Iago’s wife, Emilia. In the quote “twixt my sheets” Iago sayshe does not know if the
rumour is true but he goes ahead and plans to ruin Othello’s life. Iago wants to overthrow Othello through the
trust Othello has for him and this is highlighted in the quote “I follow him to serve my turn upon him.”
erefore, this foreshadows Iago is plotting against Othello in order to get what he thinks he deserves.
roughout Act one, both revenge and jealousy are evident. e quote “reegreat ones of the city, In personal suit to
make me his lieutenant, Of-capped to him: and, by the faith of man, I know my price, I am worth no worsea place” portrays
a man with a wounded ego that is steeped in disappointmentand bitterness.e mercenarydiction of “worth”
and “my price” suggests that Iago sees that professional relationships are commercial exchanges. is
foreshadows the ruthless, unemotional approach he will go on to execute his plot of poisoning Othello’s mind.
e main ideas that apply to Iago are jealousy and revenge. e audience can see this throughout the play
‘Othello’ in Act One. Act One shows the development of Iago’s nature and traits as the antagonist in the play.
ese ideas allow the viewers to understand what kind of character Iago is going to be and his values. In
summary, Iago is jealous that Othello chose Cassio to be Luitenant and he wants revenge to get what he wants.
He will do this by plotting against Othello to overthrow him and use Othello’s trust as he is a manipulative
person.
