Iago's Misery-- Othello

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ENGL 1102-- revision of Iago’s misery
13 October 2011

In every play there is a character who sticks out and amazes you. In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is that character. He is arguably one of Shakespeare's most complex and malicious villains. Iago takes on the role of a person warped within his own thoughts and feelings, torn by a professional set back, and consumed by hatred. Although Iago thought he was better than all others and more worthy than all of his comrades, his imagination got the best of him as he fed on his very own misguided mentality. Iago’s villainous actions spur from his inner misery caused by his false self esteem and injured merit. Iago believes he is entitled to the position of lieutenant, even though he lacks military accomplishments. Othello, recognizing that Iago has not earned the promotion, gives Cassio this prestigious title. Although Othello did not do this with the intention of hurting Iago, his decision pushes Iago over the edge of sanity. Iago, though only 28, feels as though he served Othello faithfully and well “At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds Christian and heathen” (1.1.29-30), while Micheal Cassio, was an accountant, a bean-counter, a person whose only experience with war was in the books of his education. In the opening of the play, Iago shows his sense of injured merit while complaining to Roderigo by saying,“Off-capped to him, and by the faith of man I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. But he evades them with a bombast circumstance” (1.1.11).
Iago views Othello as a beast masquerading in the uniform of a warrior. His views of Othello are evident when he repeatedly describes Othello in terms of animals. In fact, when Iago attempts to incite Brabantio’s anger, he does so by referring to Othello in vulgar, bestial terms. He says to Brabantio, “even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your
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