Nevertheless, some audience members may find this quality formidable, for it demonstrates Iagos intelligence. Iagos overall goal in this play is to sabotage othello out of power and getting rid of his right hand man Cassio, so that he can become a general and he manipulates everyone on his journey for power. He is responsible for constantly wearing Othello down and persuading Othello that he is to be trusted above Desdemonapretending that he would rather not tell Othello, and "put it to you". likely to lead to an exposure of Iagos falsehoods. With manipulation comes distrust, doubt, insecurity, and perhaps even fear. must be beleed and calmed Othello Act V: Scenes i & ii Summary & Analysis | SparkNotes How can Iago be blamed for Othello's downfall? - eNotes.com They make way for the protagonists to succeed or fail. Othello, he resumes his attack on his general's soul. Othello trusts the word of a person who he did not even trust enough to make his lieutenant. the smartest villain among all the villains. To beguile many and be beguiled by one. This moment can be considered significant as it could symbolize Othello placing Desdemonas and his own life in Iago s hands. The . How sad that Iago's extreme jealously could target and destroy something as pure and beautiful as the love Othello had for Desdemona. Othello - Entire Play | Folger Shakespeare Library Iago utilizes every mechanism he has to make sure he scores on his mission. What is Othello's tragic flaw that causes his downfall? Cassio cannot sleep without heavy drinking. The Act Barnes S, Coleman A., & Shakespeare W. Othello. In Othello, William Shakespeare creates powerful drama from a marriage between the exotic Moor Othello and the Venetian lady Desdemona that begins with elopement and mutual devotion and ends with jealous rage and death. Othello now viewing Iago as a source of insight into the affair builds a certain trust for Iago, rendered by Othellos insecurities or lack of knowledge. achieving his goal namely the fall of Othello, Iago employs various devices. Have You Not Read of Some Such Thing? The character of Iago in Shakespeare's "Othello" is possibly Shakespeare's darkest character, not because he kills other characters but for his almost supernatural ability to manipulate the other figures of the play. In Othellos opening speech in Act 5 Scene 2, Othello feels the need to kill Desdemona but still feels doubt on whether he should do it as it is presented in his speech by literary meanings and devices., Chanelle Whitfield if read apart from the context, would seem to be unquestionable truths. Emilia and Iagos relationship clearly illustrates this. His cruelty is remarkable. and Roderigo are also well-executed. Othellos lieutenant. Instead, indecision over his wife's infidelity has caused him to explore his flaws as a human being. Iago convinces Othello about this relationship when Othello gets the ocular proof that he wanted. To what extent is Iago responsible for the tragedy of Othello? 2011. Villains move the plot forward. Shakespeare took his villains to a higher level. In Shakespeare's tragic play Othello, is Iago a foil to Othello? His inner monologue and manipulations are fully available and he is driven by ambition and politics. persuasive, and so skillful that Othello easily falls into the trap. This provides Iagos security in that the act further removes Iago from the tragedy. In literature, a tragic flaw (or hamartia in Greek) is a trait that causes a character's downfall. Iago Is Not Entirely to Blame for the Othello Tragedy - Controversial Essay. He holds me well. Othello is, ultimately, a play of misunderstanding. A Jacobean audience would be a highly religious audience, a Catholic audience.. As such, the audience would probably brand more fault upon Iago for his Satanist, black nature. Iago is instrumental in Cassio and Emilia being misled and behaving out of character. The very fact that he has opened himself up to the potential for such proof marks a significant moment in the play. Othello also is a significant contributor to his own downfall. There is covered with a Barbary horse., But here Through his serpent tongue, Iago is able to drive the plot by steering other characters towards feelings of jealousy, rage, and the like, causing them to act in a certain way that they, Shakespeares play, Othello tells the audience the story of a very successful General of Venice, Othello and how has was deceived by someone he believe to be an honest man, Iago, his ensign. drives Othello desperate and almost mad with jealousy. In double knavery.4. These wasteful deaths create a spectacular scene in both dialogue and portrayal. Such an effect is best produced when the events come on us by surprise; and the effect is heightened when, at the same time, they follow as cause and effect. This is especially true for the plays of William Shakespeare. The analysis here is good. from Kent State University M.A. Whilst Roderigo believes he is nearing the arms of Desdemona through the medium of Iago, Iago uses Roderigos affection advantageously: to rid of Cassio for Othello. We are using Google Analytics to enhance your experience. He gives us, in the course of play, several generalizations which, Iago ultimately leads him to the decision that he will kill his once beloved Desdemona. Othello 's tragic flaw is often identified as jealousy, and he is indeed a jealous man. Here he prods Othello's memory to recall that Desdemona and Cassio have Speaking about Othello and Iago relationship, Othello trusts Iago so much that he is blinded to clearly distinguish what is worth and that which is baseless and that is the answer to question how does Iago manipulate Othello. His distrust and gullibility overcomes his noble and caring qualities which lead to him murdering his wife, and his ultimate death by suicide. His actions not only illustrate his nature, but so does his language. This illustrates Iagos dominion over Roderigo, and his manipulative relationship with him. Each villain is shaped by the genre of their play and the necessities of that particular plot. This is charged with dramatic irony; and the audience would feel enraged with Iagos grand deception of character. Simple situations, such as the firing of Cassio, which symbolised the break between Othello and Cassio, could have been evaded through investigation and reason. Iago , who is a central figure in this play, uses different techniques to corrupt the protagonist of the play , Othello. Iago provides the plays cause and effect design. By placing them at the argument, they seem as an afterthought rather than being weaved into the analysis. Iagos misogynistic attitudes unveil such as when he describes a womans life as having to rise to play and go to bed for work. Emilia returns to Desdemonas chamber to find her on the brink of death. What contributed more to Othellos tragedy? Furthermore, he should gather more evidence of Desdemona's, Iago is a character who owns tragic flaws, and is responsible for Othellos demise. Deception remains a fundamental characteristic of Iagos villainous nature. Iago has almost. Othello and Desdemona have a passionate love which could be seen as a threat to the rules established by patriarchal order: their intense, emotionally charged and equal marriage challenges ideas about class . Othello goes from a respected commanding officer to an emotionally distraught killer. an amazing genius for plotting and for manipulation. He will draw the What is Iago's plan and purpose in act 1, scene 3 of Othello? impression that Cassio is a habitual drunkard and therefore unfit to be Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900 (1994): 323-339. play. And it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets By debitor and creditor. The plot speeds up quickly Othello promotes Cassio instead of Iago. Christian and heathen, His inner monologue, the intimacy he held with the audience, and vicious persona are integral to achieving the recognition, reversal, and strong catharsis described by Aristotle. It is perhaps Othello's own feelings of inadequacy that draw him in and make Iago all the more believable as he too shares this same sense of inadequacy. (1.1.) Throughout the play the audience witnesses the subtle shift in Othellos feelings toward his wife, Desdemona, and his former lieutenant, Cassio. Iago is a driving force in this tragedy. Another aspect to Iago is his black, almost evil, nature. Aristotle, notorious for his contributions to Western philosophy, had a heavy input into the theories and ideologies in the compass of tragedy. Othello was manipulated beyond his ability to recognize what Iago's 'plan' was. The paper is separated into three reasons explaining whether Iago is not solely to blame for the Othello tragedy or not. Honest Iago, My Desdemona must I leave to thee. One example of Othellos tragic flaw leading to his downfall is when he mishears the conversation between Cassio and Iago, and by his own thinking, contemplates murder. Othello rendered himself susceptible to tragedy. To what extent is Iago responsible for the tragedy of Othello? That what he found himself was apt and true. In this instant Iago is referring to Othello and the the death of Desdemona. Nevertheless, some audience members may find this quality formidable, for it demonstrates Iagos intelligence. Avoid editing or writing from scratch! soliciting Desdemona at a distance. The fight for power here is about the domestic, emotional, and personal. Adams was Right. Iago tries to reinforce, or play, his deceptive innocent persona. To what extent does Iago contribute to the tragedy of Othello? Iago | fictional character | Britannica He reminds Othello that Desdemona is a Venetian lady and Cite. He Othello gives no room for his wife to defend herself. Iago's words here As a villain Desdemona and Cassio talking quietly. Additionally, Desdemona's constant support of Cassio as she tries to help him win back his position confounds Cassio's position, diluting the seriousness of the situation developing between Othello and Desdemona. As Russ McDonald points out in an introduction to the Pelican Shakespeare edition of the play, by the end of act 1, The horrified onlookers recognize Iago as a demonic figure, a hellish villain, at the plays end, but from the beginning Shakespeare depicts his methods as infernal, largely by means of the characters diction.5 He creates his monstrous plan and proceeds to bring it alive. In Act V, Scene i, Iago decides to bind [Cassios wound] with [his] shirt ironically after he was Roderigos commander to pursue Cassio. Othello's blind trust and faith in Iago allows . relationship with Desdemona. It heightens not only the dread for the characters but the dread for ones own ability to be complicit in such easily constructed terror. This can be Aristotle's views, Stoppard's or any other viewpoint which works to fit your argument, but it is essential you have a sharp focus. Iago directly kills two people and causes two more deaths: he is responsible for most of the tragic events in the play. How does Iago convince Othello that Desdemona is cheating? ", Latest answer posted November 27, 2020 at 10:36:09 AM. How many of us have been truly duped by someone that we have put our complete faith and trust in? Iagos Iago tries to reinforce, or play, his deceptive innocent persona. Iago is the spiteful and evil mischief-maker in Othello. According to Iago, Cassio has only an understanding of theory in war but is not a weathered veteran. manipulator. Iago is an outright liar that never gives up. In general it must be said that there is no Shakespearean tragedy in which the responsibility for the deed of the hero and the subsequent tragedy can be shifted from him to another person of the play, In the play Othello, Iago is a Marxist character that is all about destroying reputations to build his own and gain power. He allows himself to be manipulated into a compromising situation when he gets drunk, which is beneath his status. Othello reveals his proof in Cassios possession of the handkerchief and Emilia realizes her fatal part in her husbands plot. This reveals to the responders another tragic flaw that he is too trustworthy. Her failure to recognize Othello's insecurities means that she does not provide him with the reassurance he so desperately craves. villainy of Iago is great in the sense that he had an elaborate plan, using Discuss the question in the light of morbid jealousy. The pivotal Act III, Scene iii, explores Iagos orchestration, and how Othello descends into madness; from love to jealousy. This almost makes him like the Devil himself supporting his villainous nature. This demonstrates Iagos profound understanding of human nature, and his belief that ones will or strength of character is a powerful tool to control oneself. is a perfect example of "Shakespeare's villain." That is an underlying motive, almost rendering Iago foolish for some of the audience. Othello Is Responsible for His Own Downfall - Term Paper begs, as it were, not to be pressed about certain of his dark thoughts. Iago Character Analysis Iago Shakespeare presents Iago as a collection of unsolvable puzzles. Perhaps he should have inquired more into these allegations, or have had firmer foundations in his knowledge of his wife and Cassio. Iago involves Desdemona, Othellos wife, in his plan by making it seem that Desdemona and Cassio are having a relationship. (3.3.370). The style here is good, and it reads very well. for the next tragic event. This envy and greed that Iago posses is the reason it all goes down in flames for everyone., It is evident that it was not Othello alone that contributed to his fall, it was the influence of several other characters in the play. Even at this early stage, Othello has to justify himself. trustful Desdemona; nor does he shrink from stabbing to death his own wife or 25% off on your first paper. Iago that he was "steal[ing] away so guilty-like" (39). looks in modern day cinema, one will see the trite villain, evil to the core. Except once and then Cassio's thoughts, feelings, and motivations are rarely revealed, but his character and behavior are significant for creating the conditions under which Iago can enact his plan. Cassio Character Analysis Cassio functions mainly to move the plot forward by inadvertently becoming a pawn in Iago's plan. Richard is both the protagonist and a malicious villain. Nor the division of a battle know It is evident that Othello believes he loved not wisely in terms of loving and trusting Iago> befriending such a character was detrimental to Othellos life and social stature. Cassio Character Analysis in Othello | SparkNotes Iago assumes this persona to his advantage. Othello essay - "To what extent is Iago responsible for the tragedy "Honest" Iago ensures that he has Othello's trust by playing on Othello's insecurities. is one of the masterpieces of his devilry, though unhappily for him, it For instance, Iago claims that Cassio had a dream talking about his affection for Desdemona (Barnes et al. Then again playing the reluctant confidant, he Understanding Iago From "Othello" - ThoughtCo