As Iago ends Act 1 with his soliloquy, we become sure that dishonesty is one of his most revered qualities. People may be good or bad or right or wrong, but we’re all just individuals made up of different parts. Some parts unique, but some are evidence of our inherent idiosyncrasy, proof that we’re all citizens of the world. Being maniacally brilliant, Iago lies to and manipulates the characters in Othello with hardly a second thought. He’s remarkably cunning at how he gets where he wants to go.
There may seem to be many motivations for villains throughout the times but as we study these scoundrels we find that generally they are motivated by pure jealousy, or a need of superiority. They utilize manipulation, both physically and mentally in order to achieve their goals and show a lack of remorse. Stephan King’s “Misery”, provides us with a very graphical depiction in Annie Wilkes a sadistic, mentally unstable retired nurse, who has a desire for power and control. Annie goes to tortuous extremes on her captive Paul Sheldon to realize this. Iago from Shakespeare’s play Othello is also a power hungry villain who enjoys having people under his control, he is driven by extreme jealousy and the motivation, revenge.
What Kind of Man is Odysseus? Odysseus was a clever, sneaky, deceitful man. Although sometimes using these characteristics as a survival method, he also abused them in quite a few different ways. Such as tricking Calypso after sleeping with her, and fooling Polyphemus. Odysseus also a firm believer in hospitality; Which explains why he was in such distress after learning of the suitors attempt to take everything he’s ever worked for.
Iago who many people perceived to be an honest man when it couldn't be further from the truth and in Othello's cased it proved to be a deadly mistake for trusting him. It is very interesting in the way Iago was able to live such a drastic double life which I will explain in the way he did it by the way he presented himself, what made him so effective at manipulating people, why was his hatred for Othello so strong, and what do characters, besides Othello think of Iago. Iago was able to make create such an elaborate lie and execute his plan because of his pure hatred for Othello, this hatred was so great because there were multiple factors that were causing his ill will towards the Moor. Othello's appointing of Cassio as his lieutenant is what initially triggered these feelings towards him. There were several reasons Cassio's appointment enraged Iago to the point of madness, first Cassio was a Florentine and Iago found it despicable that a Florentine could and would be named lieutenant to the general of Venice.
The veil that was supposed to make Mr. Hooper an idea turns him into a symbol of evil causing him to further treasure sin. Because of his own arrogance, the veil corrupts him and projects him as a source of evil. While unsure of what specific lesson Hawthorne was trying to teach in writing his parable, many ideas can be gained from this story. The most important that sticks out is that one is enlightened to the fact that we all are guilty of sins and should be able to admit to them. We are taught that one consequence of guilt, hypocrisy and arrogance is displacement from
Moreover, leaving the reader to take note, visualize, and understand what is right from wrong. Upon reading the tale, the pardoner opens up with letting the audience know he himself is guilty of greed. Not knowing if he is confessing this because of drunkenness or not he is aware and possesses virtue for he understand the value of repentance. “And thus I preach against the very vice I make my living out of avarice,” (pg.168, 5-6) says the pardoner. Contradicting himself, by saying one thing and doing the complete opposite.
Montresor tells the reader how he is to execute his plan. As expected Montresor does carry out his plan, and is executed perfectly. Montresor accomplishes his revenge on Fortunato because of this he is vindictive, grim, and gasconade. Montersor is the type of man that you might call vengeful. “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge “(1).
Othello Literary Essay William Shakespeare’s play Othello, showcases one of the most evil villains in literature: the manipulative and dishonest Iago. I will show how Iago is trusted and loved by many because he displays an outward show of loyalty and honestly yet in reality he has an ulterior motive of evil and destruction. Through his devilish ways, he gains control over Brabantio, Roderigo and Othello. Iago is the epitome of a narcissist and he brilliantly manoeuvres his victims in order to take control over all those around him. They become victims as they mindlessly follow him.
Iago knows how Othello’s mind works, so he is easily able to make Othello believe every little lie he is told by Iago. Iago is able to use Othello’s pride against him. First, Iago puts the idea that Desdemona could possibly be having an affair with Cassio. Othello is in complete denial. Iago explains to Othello that he does not like the way Cassio and Desdemona act around each other, how Cassio was looking at her when they were talking alone, or how Cassio acted “guilty” when Iago and Othello walked in on them talking.
Iago is often classified as the embodiment of pure evil to the farthest extent capable of being reached by human. Both Claudius and Iago plot against, torture, and cause the downfall of other characters in their respective stories to create and upkeep a boastful reputation. Both characters know that what they are doing is considerably wrong, but only Claudius feels any remorse for his crimes. They both recognize in soliloquy what they are doing and even discuss with themselves further planning. Iago manipulates all the crucial components of his plot with ease, while Claudius on the other hand is discontent and unhappy with the events taking place.