Appealing to Human Nature: a Characterization of Iago
Humor is a powerful thing. It can be used in the most serious situations to diffuse the tension of an event. It evokes feelings of partiality to those who can use comedy successfully. Simply, people naturally enjoy those who are able to make them laugh. This is exactly how Iago exploited humor in the Aquila Theatre production of Othello. He appealed to the audiences’ nature to like him, and in the process helped conceal his evil plot of destruction all by his use of humor.
Although Iago was a vicious manipulator in this play, the Aquila Theatre company twisted his character into a much more likeable villain. He was just as evil in the play as he was in the book, yet the actor used humor to contradict this image. He employed comic r
The ingenuity of Iago’s scheme affected not only the characters in the play, but the audience as well. He manipulated the minds of the viewers of this tale by provoking contempt of those who did nothing offensive, as well as orchestrate a person’s congeniality towards an otherwise vile individual. Instead of hating Iago for all the cruel things he did, the audience ends up leaving the play somewhat lighthearted. The image of Iago thrusting his hips in the air or mocking the other characters is not far from the viewer’s mind. Consequently, the Aquila Theatre production of Othello was much more enjoyable than if there had been a lack of this technique. Without this comic relief, the audience would have departed with a bitter taste in their mouth.