Othello Coursework Essay Example for Free

Othello Coursework hearOthello is one of Shakespe bes tragedies but also a love story of two lovers. Shakespeares tragical heroes always had at least one main flaw, which contributed to their downf tout ensemble. In Othellos case it was jealousy when he was told Desdemona was having an affair. Other themes the play deals with includes hatred, racism, betrayal and discrimination. Although Othello is the main protagonist in the play, however, in many ways Iago playms to be the dominant character. Iago is presented in complete contrast to Othello, and is the villain of the play. Othello is a respected high-ranking general whereas Iago is a lower status and referred to as in his ancient or his ensign. Many critics often give away Iago as the narrator of Othello a fascinating character who is the main focus of the play. Many critics also see Iago as an intriguing character as he muckle be unpredictable. At the beginning of the play, it is Iago and Roderigo who are the first on st age, not Othello. If one were to form an opinion of Othello from this discussion, it would not be a fortunate one.The audition is made aware of Iagos hatred of Othello because Othello promoted Cassio instead of him and his belief that Othello slept with his wife. Further more than Roderigo is jealous of the fact that Othello has taken Desdemona as his wife. In Act 2 Scene 3 of Othello, Iago is presented as the puppeteer, continuously manipulating everyone nigh him. Critics have argued about Iagos motives for wanting to hurt others but in this scene he comes across as cruel and malicious. The scene is set in a castle and opens with Iago trying to get Cassio drunk.Iago move by his lust for power is attempting to dispose Cassio of his position as a lieutenant. Knowing that Cassio cannot handle his booze it would be more likely he would fight if hes drunk and that would get up him carriage bad in Othellos eyes. The opening scene presents us with a brief exchange of Cassio and Iago contentious analysis on Desdemona. In the dialogue, Cassio remarks are polite and complimentary to Desdemona stating she is exquisite lady, fresh, thin-skinned creature, modest and perfection. Iago on the other hand has a contrasting view compared to Cassio.Iago suggests that Desdemona is wide of the mark of game and sport and that there is provocation in her eye suggests both characters have different views on women. Iagos low opinion of Desdemona only deepens his misogynist view and his hate for women because of the control Desdemona has over Othello. This can portrays his jealousy because Desdemona is an extremely attractive character with a higher noble status than his wife, giving him a reason to hate Othello. Iago has the opportunity to consider his plans in his soliloquy when Cassio leaves to invite some booster amplifiers for a drink. iodine way we can tell the presentation of Iago as a character in Act 2 Scene 3 is through his soliloquies. It reveals Iagos true cha racter and intention to get Cassio drunk so that he loses control and becomes quarrelsome to get into a fight with Roderigo, Am I to put our Cassio in some action. His skills of persuasions show his power to manipulate people into trusting him to cover his act of existence an honest friend that adds to the presentation of his character. Iagos clever perspective to observer this from a person allows the audience insight into various schemes or secrets to his motives that other characters are blind to.Furthermore, Iagos understand and manipulating the weakness of those around him make him a powerful and compelling figure that Shakespeare have portray in this scene. Cassio who has been left in a position of responsibility by Othello will shame himself as a lieutenant and lax his position as part of Iagos plan that will gain him power for his talent of understanding and manipulating peoples weaknesses, If consequences do but approve my dream. Iago states he is willing to take on rev enge on anyone that gets in his way of achieving Othellos downfall.The end result would make up for what he lost on his way and enjoys the pain and damage he causes which he approves. The first soliloquy in this act shows us how narrow-minded Iago is and lacks emotions or feelings towards the people around him or himself. W. H Auden describes Iago as a Practical joker of a peculiar appalling kind. W. H attempts to portray Iago as a more humane character than he really is. Loyalty, love, friendship and guilt are all emotions that make us human. Iago misunderstands this c at oncept of feelings, which leads him to his downfall.Shakespeare presents Iago with loss of emotional connections in his character show the tragedy of how isolated Iago is. Shortly aft(prenominal) Roderigo raises the alarm under Iagos instructions, Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to present Iagos actions as he pretends to be the peacemaker. Othello aroused from his sleep ask honest Iago for an explanation of the disturbance. Without being disloyal to Othello or to Cassio, he ironically follows Montanos advice upon his honour as a solider to tell the truth of his version of the nights events. maculation trying to save Cassio by making excuses for him, Iago endures that Othello will have no other option than to come to him as his position for causing a shameful public display. The irony of Iagos account, we known that Iago constantly tries to underplay Cassios part in the fight, I had rather ha this tongue cut from my mouth, Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio. With subtle additions such as, And Cassio high in oaths, which till tonight / I neer might see before and but men are men, the best sometimes forget reveals that Cassio has dishonored himself to befit a high ranking officer.Cassio sacked from his lieutenant position, Iago pretends to be a true friend by advising Cassio to seek help from Desdemona to gain his position back. This broken joint between you and her husband weig ht-lift her to splinter. Shakespeare cleverly portrays Iago as an evil mastermind who appears to aid Cassio, instead manipulating the situation in roll to make it appear to Othello that Desdemona has emotions for Cassio when she pleads for his job. This sequence allows us to see Iagos manipulative nature in a continuous flow from the way he has made others see him to the revelation of his true self.The way hes portrayed, we are amazed by his mastery of switching facades or identities without a trace of guilt. Iago when utterance with Montano, questions Cassio integrity and his position as a Lieutenant. Iago manages to suggest his support and concern for his comrade while at the same time, destroying his credibility and honour. He mentions to Montano that Cassio is a solider fit to stand by Caesar as 2nd in command but his drinking habits matches his virtue and implies he drinks every night.Iagos apparent concerns furthers as he criticises Othellos judgement for trusting Cassio to be his lieutenant shows his jealousy to be overshadowed and therefore lost his neighborly class that he lacks of. His hatred dominates him just like he dominates all the other characters. Iago seems to master all the emotions that might affect his facade and never shows a trace of nervousness that intensify the power he has over the characters in the play and his ability to control the situation to his will.Furthermore when Iago protests to Montano that he is reluctant to suck up Cassios problems to Othello, as he loves Cassio and would not wish him any harm. The irony of this situation is the fact that once Montano suggest it would be an honest action to inform Othello, Iago declines. This is the only time we see Iago is speechless and to make him look more trustworthy, he implies that his allegiance is to a higher kind of honesty.