To understand Iago and some of the central themes to Othello, we must analyze a few passages. The first is a comment made by Iago in the beginning of the play. In Act 1, Scene 1, lines 41-65, Iago makes a confession to his ¡§friend¡¨ Rodegrio. Here, the audience is presented with a portray of Iago¡¦s character. First, Iago confesses that he follows Othello not to serve him, but to further himself. ¡§I follow him to serve my turn upon him,¡¨ he says. We recognize that he exhibits no loyalty to his superior and he is only obeying Othello because he want

Iago makes another important and revealing speech in Act 2, Scene 1, Lines 272-299. Here, we are finally introduced to the primary reasons why Iago is acting the way he is. Up until this soliloquy, we could make the assumption that Iago wants to hurt Othello either because of being overlooked for a promotion, or because he is inherently evil and rejoices at the suffering of others (which is true to an extent„oIago¡¦s actions are sometimes classified as ¡§motiveless malignity.¡¨) Now, we witness that Iago may have a completely different tangible motive: he believes that his wife Emila had an affair with Othello. Although he lacks clear evidence to prove this claim, his paranoia about the subject leads him to hasty conclusions. Iago¡¦s says, ¡§For that I do suspect the lusty Moor / Hath leaped into my seat¡K¡¨ (Act 2, Scene 1, Line 283). The word ¡§seat¡¨ is a metaphor for a position one has in a relationship. Taken in this context it means Iago¡¦s sexual relationship with his wife, Emilia. The thought of Othello having sex with Emilia has incensed Iago. ¡§The thought where of /Doth like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my innards,¡¨ he says. Although, Iago could be referring to his heart when he says ¡§innards,¡¨ it is a safe assumption that he is probably referring to his guts because the comment lacks a romantic tone. Iago also believes that Emilia has slept with Cassio. ¡§For I fear Cassio with my nightcap, too, ¡§ he says. The thought of both men having sex with his wife is unbearable for Iago. From this soliloquy, we could conclude that Iago¡¦s can¡¦t be completely motiveless. He is a man who feels that he¡¦s been wronged. However, the difference between Iago and others is that he will stop at nothing to right the wrong that has been done to him. He may go about this in a very evil and deceitful way, but not without motive. Iago feels in his mind that he needs retribution for b

Some topics in this essay:
Cassio Othello, Othello Othello, Finally Act, Emilia Othello, Speeches Iago, Othello Iago, scene 1, act 2 scene, 2 scene 1, scene 1 lines, act 1 scene, 1 scene 1, possess soul, 1 scene, iago makes, theme play, 1 lines, play iago, green-eyed monster, iago able, 2 scene,