In William Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, one would infer that the main character is Othello himself. However the argument could be made that Iago plays that role successfully, through his greed, manipulation and amorality. It is those characteristics that make Iago the perfect catalyst for this story line. He uses his linguistic prowess to influence others, for the sole purpose of advancing his own goals. At the same time he is directing the rest of the cast down a dark and tragic path.
In Shakespeare’s play, “Othello”, the character Iago is no different from those characteristics deceptive individuals. Behind his facade as a trustworthy ensign and friends, Iago multilayered, deceptive and manipulative villain, concocting chaos and causing mishaps to other characters for revenge. Iago uses his deft and astute strategic acts of manipulation to undermine each character’s weaknesses. He exploits Roderigo’s love for Desdemona, Cassio under the guise of friendships, and toys with Othello’s mind by playing on his self-doubt. Evidently, Iago manipulates the people around him by using their weaknesses, Roderigo’s naivete, Cassio’s trusting nature, and Othello’s insecurity, against them.
Loneliness puts The Monster in a mentally unstable position. He believes that he is a monster for the reason being he was created by one. In comparison, Othello’s betrayal is demonstrated throughout the play, but especially through Iago when he confesses to the audience his plan to manipulate and destroy Othello’s love life with Desdemona. Although Othello trusts Iago with anything, Iago hates the “Moor” and is willing to do anything to destroy him. Iago feels that the best way to do so is by manipulating Othello telling him that his wife is cheating on him with Cassio, who Iago coincidently hates as well.
His very existence is for the destruction of the truly innocent. In religious terms the devil is the ruler of the underworld and can see into everyone’s thoughts and manipulate them into temptation. A Shakespearean audience would be fully aware of this due to the fact that they were considerably religious during the period the play was written and performed in. We see that Iago has devilish qualities about his character in the way he manipulates other into essentially doing his dirty work for him. The clever technique Shakespeare uses allows al the characters to perceive Iago as ‘honest’ and quite pure and heavenly like.
Should he make himself feel better with revenge or with honor. The third soliloquy shows how Hamlet realizes that his conflicts in his mind cause his indecision and personal turmoil. By not having resolved these conflict he feels makes him weak. To become strong he decides to follow the path that kills his Uncle. Having resolved on a negative path he now is deciding on weather to live with himself or not, that is to end his own life rather than suffer a painful existence.
“ I will cause fear....do I swear inextinguishable hatred....I will work at your destruction....you shall curse the hour of your birth....fiendish rage animated him ”. (Pages 133 and 134 Lines 32-3) Between these two passages, it is seen that the creature is loving and evil at the same time. The creature was made to love and to be able to have feelings just as a human being; despite this, he ultimately chooses the path of evil instead of good. To pick a life of evil instead of good is terrible. This further shows that the wretch is a monster because a life full of revenge and evil is
After Hamlet had staged the play, and noticed Claudius’s reaction, Gertrude was willing to speak to Hamlet about the play, and how Claudius is furious about it. Polonius decides to hide behind the arras and spy on Gertrude and Hamlet’s conversation. As stated in the following quote “My lord, he’s going to his mother’s closet. Behind the arras I’ll convey myself to hear the process. I’ll warrant she’ll tax him home;” (3.3.29-32).
In Othello Iago, Othello’s most trusted friend and ally, deceives and manipulates everyone in the play to bring about Othello’s downfall. In the dictionary, evil is defined by a conscious and deliberate wrongdoing, humiliation of people designed to diminish their psychological well being and acts of unnecessary violence with unjustified motives with selfish reasons. Iago embodies all the traits of evil that were just listed. The main characteristic of a villain that Iago shows is one of deception and lies. He uses and controls others to diminish the psychological wellbeing of Othello.
This makes Oedipus doubt himself and he decides to find out the truth about the killer of Liaus. In doing so he tells his people “Or if any man’s conscience is guilty, let him give himself up. He will suffer the less. His fate will be nothing worse than banishment. No other harm will touch him.” Ironically he condemned himself unknowingly.
Throughout Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, cruelty surrounds the people from the inside and out. The characters begin the story as heart-welcoming souls, but as the story proceeds, cruelty forces the worst out of people. Macbeth demonstrates many attributes of a cruel man. His cruel mind leads him to be delirious as he murders his own king, Duncan. Sometimes, people need an object or attribute so badly they can bring out the worst of themselves.