Othello: Literary Essay on Iago Essay

cosmos are born(p) with a natural talent for good and evil. As an individual develops, he or she is taught to scar amongst the two in order to strengthen a sense of right and wrong. Through Shakespeares play, Othello (Heinemann advance Shakespeare, 2000) we are introduced to a meticulously devious character, Iago. ironically affiliated with the military, a substandard moral compass, carry his unreasonable code of conduct. Well educated on mankind behaviour, his lack of ethics enables his character to run this skill set to deceive those about him, lastly disguising his true up character. Between self-perception, opposing character perceptions and hearing perception, Iago portrays a brilliantly, manipulative villain whose two dimensional nature is concealed at a lower place sheets of false sympathy, righteousness and empathy.Beyond all else, Iago considers himself a man of true wit and distinction. In Act I, he furiously declares, I know my price (p. 3). By this statement, he admits to Rodrigo, that upon oversight for the position of first lieutenant, his dedicated military service and efforts have been in vain. Having served at the front lines of the war, Iago adamantly deems that his echelon of experience proves him a more than deserving tooshiedidate, than young Cassio. More so, an over confidence in his abilities, go give away to the belief that he is of a superior authority, I am worth no worse a place (ibid). Continuing his argument of non promotion, Iago sees it unbearable, even scandalous that he has been regarded with such insignificance. A man of his consideration and self imposed importance should not be degraded to such a pitiable standard. In having lost come out on the appointment, Iagos pride and dignity have been considerably impaired.Once a devoted soldier under Othellos command, Iago believed it was his rightful(prenominal) place to gain promotion to lieutenant. When these look forations werenot met, it brought out the wo rst in Iago and the decision was interpreted as a personal offence to his proficiency. Although having already, risen to comme il faut ranks, Iago could not fathom the sleaziness. His superior and extensive association had been undermined. In comparison to the present era, this form of injustice is see frequently in professions where favoured parties lose out on coveted positions to seemingly less experienced oppositions. Victims feel at loss and that their competence has been jeopardised. payable to varying circumstances, these conceited opinions cannot be voiced as it translates into bad character and conduct. Consequently, Iago set out on a conquest for supremacy. Uncannily, abiding by advanced(a) day author, Robert Greenes, Law 3 Conceal your intentions, of The 48 Laws of occasion (1998), detailing observational aspects profitable in a rise to command.Within the community of Cyprus, Iago gave no limpid reason for opposing characters to suspect his cunning. In this respec t, he was constantly referred to as Honest Iago (p. 41). Specifically, Othello, affectionately utilize the term, Honest Iago, My Desdemona must I leave to thee. I prithee let thy wife attend to her (ibid). non only(prenominal) does Othello impart trust with ease, but he mistakes Iago as a dear friend. One who would never debate to bring harm to Desdemona or he. This misplacement of trustingness encourages Iago in his surreptitious endeavours. On several more occasions we witness other characters mistakenly meditate with and about Iagos sincere nature. Following a grave night for Cassio, he bids a cong of, Good night, truthful Iago (p. 99) unaware of Iagos find out role in his ruin. Desdemona continues the chain of mistrust when she speaks, O, thats an honest fellow (p. 113) of Iagos phony grievances of Cassios unfortunate predicament.An individuals nature can be concealed in various forms deep down the compevery he keeps, Law 12 use of goods and services selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victims (Greene, 1998). Iago, around such comp all manipulates and deceives his companions that he is faithful. Having grasped an understanding of human behavior, this wisdom is disposed with cruelty and brutality. In persuading the Cyprus population of his sincerity, unknown to the other characters, Iago fuels his perception of his superiority. such(prenominal) is his witthat for a much of the play, his deceit goes undetected. When it appears that a character may unknowingly expose Iagos ulterior motives, he buries the potential realisation beneath artificial concern.Among the consultation, the consensus is that Iago is purely composed of arrogance, jealousy and hostility. elated in his succession to provide false usher of Cassios incompetence, Iago announces, And whats he then that says I play the villain, When this advice is free I give and honest(Shakespeare, p. 99). Arrogance radiates from his gloating manner, of having provided Cassio with in genious and true advice. jealousy held as incentive to which Iago brought about the demotion and discredit of Cassio. Moreover, this begrudge fuelled his ploy in planting a ejaculate of convincing doubt to which Othello was wrongly mislead that his wife, Desdemona, was unfaithful. Not only in determining the detriment of the bind offs marriage, Iago displayed hostility through his own kin with Emilia, To have a foolish wife (p. 133), ordered with yet another law, Law 20 Do not commit to anyone, (Greene, 1998).Only to the audience is Iagos evil nature revealed for a significant distribute of the play. We are exposed to his ulterior motives, lies and ultimate betrayal, I follow him to serve my turn upon him (Shakespeare, p. 5). Un the like any other character in the play, Iago is not fazed by the level of destruction he causes, incomplete to whom. In subsequent scenes, viewers witness the soused yet gradual downfall of the Moor. Unsuspecting, characters, indirectly attention Ia gos cause, particularly his ignorant, praise seeking wife, Emilia, which moreover increases his arrogance of his unmatched brilliance. To the audience each move Iago makes is calculated methodically and only adds to the current nut house of the present scene.Iago possesses an astute two dimensional disposition. His neutral throughout the play is to ensure the Moors eventual ruin. He becomes the bane of Othellos existence, through conniving, unforgivable means, only recognized by the audience if not himself. Born of a natural capacity for good and evil, it is evident that Iago acquires no good, a innovation hidden from other characters within the play. In similitude to the present, Iagodemonstrates the extremity to which an individual pass on go in order to sabotage the happiness and prosperity of an enemy. Persecutors throttle a high opinion of themselves, as Iago displayed. Yet, by all means this strategy to pursue such an attack is achieved through clandestine, surreptitiou s modes. Iago can distinguish between right and wrong but still, he opts for the latter.As Nobel Prize laureate, William Golding, once said, We need more humanity, more care, more lovemaking. There are those who anticipate a political system to produce that and others who expect the love to produce the system. (Nobel Lecture, Dec 7, 1983). Humanity is defenseless against the erroneous nature of individuals like Iago. Repeatedly throughout Othello (Shakespeare, 2000), his master scheme endures unnoticed. As children, we are prompted to fill in virtue and vice (Zak. J. P. The Moral Molecule, 2011) to instil a sense of ethicality, nonetheless, alongside such vindictive figures like Iago, the system (Nobel Lecture, 1983), political or military, regresses on any potential advancement, stunting humanity, more care, more love (ibid). Humanity is susceptible to evil, regardless encouragement otherwise. As long as rouges exist, an eternal battle will ensue between good and bad, unmistakab ly exhibit through Iagos performance.BibliographyNovel ReferencesGray, C. (Series 2000). Othello. Heinemann Advanced Shakespeare. capital of the United Kingdom Briddles Ltd.Website ReferencesGolding, G. W. (Dec 7, 1983). Nobel Lecture. Retrieved Aug 27, 2013, from http//www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1983/golding-lecture.htmlKeltner, D. (2007-08). The Power Paradox. Retrieved Aug 28, 2013 from http//greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/power_paradox unknown Author. (No date). The 48 Laws of Power. Retrieved Aug 28, 2013 from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_48_Laws_of_PowerZak, J. P. (Feb 10, 2011). The Moral Molecule Are Humans Good or Evil?. Retrieved Aug 28, 2013 from http//www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-moral-molecule/201102/are-humans-good-or-evil