In an article concerning the modern performance of Shakespeare, W. Worthen describes, "The modern stage becomes a site of interpretation, rather than a place of production, a place where meanings are found."" Regarding the character of Iago in Shakespeare's "Othello," critics, performers, and readers have determined numerous interpretations and meanings for the villain over the centuries. Iago is a portrait of a practical joker of a uniquely atrocious kind, and the best way to approach the play is by a general a thought that the practical joker I someone who enjoys playing God behind the scenes.
Reconsidering Worthen's quote, imagine replacing "the modern stage"" with "the modern cinema," and then drastically changing things from Shakespeare to superheroes, such as Batman's legendary arch-nemesis, the Joker. The Joker represents another character with troublesome interpretations given over the years, particularly in Christopher Nolan's 2008 film, "The Dark Knight." The similarities between the Joker and Iago are prominent. It seems that based on Worthen's musings on modern performance, the directors of The Dark Knight and the author of "Othello," William Shakespeare, uncovered similar values when constructing their villains. Early on in The Dark Knight, as the Joker holds a Gotham mobster at knifepoint and asks, "Wanna know how I got these scars? " He proceeds to tell a horrific story about his abusive father, "a drinker and a fiend, who one day takes a knife and carves a smiling scar from the end of his lip and across the mouth." .
Despite the heartless villainy on display, for a moment, the audience feels sympathy for the Joker because his evil acts may be linked with previous childhood cruelty. When the Joker decides to crash Bruce Wayne's fundraiser, the Joker holds Rachel hostage at knifepoint.
The hero and the villain are different in so many ways; however they are more alike than you would think. ... Weather it is from a comic book or the recent movies. ... Batman has a code that separates him from madness. ... Batman was also birthed from tragedy. ... This is why the hero and villain are equally important. ...
Iago, from Shakespeare's Othello, is one of the most memorable villains in all of literature. ... We can infer from this that Iago had told Roderigo of his hatred for Othello before this conversation. ... He is one of Shakespeare's most baleful villains. ... Shakespeare may have personified evil through Iago and took it to the extreme, but if so, Iago would be detached from other aspects of being human, e.g. feeling regret. ... Clearly, Iago is a diverse character whose spirit will live on through the generations as the greatest villain in literature. ...
Iago is one of Shakespeare's most complex and heinous villains. Iago is not your ordinary villain. ... Right from the beginning of the play to the very end he causes conflicts. ... Iago also manages to steal from his own friend without the slightest feeling of guilt. ... Iago's murder of Emilia could also stem from the general hatred of women that he displays. ...
Experiencing not even an iota of empathy or guilt Iago becomes the perfect villain, for it is the feeling for another that leads one to experience guilt and Iago feels for no one. ... Without the understanding or ability to love, Iago lacks a conscience and it is thus that he is able to cruelly continue to manipulate and the perfect villain is defined. ... Able to think quickly on his feet, and mask his wretchedness when his character is questioned, his cunning and craftiness make him a truly dastardly villain. ... A character of depth and spirit, the basis of Iago's success is de...
Iago, a character from Shakespeare's Othello, reflects Machiavelli's "the end justifies the means" (The Prince). Within the play Iago is no ordinary villain but a Machiavellian villain. ... The motive for Iago comes from the character Othello giving a job position to a man named Cassio. Iago believed he deserved the position from experience and seniority. ... Iago is no ordinary villain and he proves it by is actions....
Iago is one of Shakespeare's most complex villains. ... However, such a villain would distract from the impact of the play and would be pedestrian. ... Iago also manages to steal from his own friend without the slightest feeling of guilt. ... Iago is not your ordinary villain. ... Iago calls himself trustworthy in Act II Scene I Line 201, Iago is quoted saying "As honest as I am", which everyone knows is far from true. ...
From the book's opening, Iago justifiably earns the reader's acceptance and trust. ... From what is thus far noted in the play, every character trusts Iago with the utmost of certainty. He is unlike Othello, in that Othello has notably earned his reputation throughout the play, whereas Iago projects but a false front from the beginning. ... This suspicion by Iago is for nothing more than to prove him as the "joker in the pack", amd by killing Emilia in the end he justifies this presumption completely, as it does his complete lack of moral sense. ... He's far more than ...
Evil has many faces, just as Iago has his own disguise to distract from his true intentions. ... bring the villain forth." Lodovico identifies Iago as a 'villain' and 'viper', a deadly and poisonous snake. Shakespeare has created a clear connection between Satan and Iago, found in the biblical story where Satan takes the form of a snake and tempts Adam and Eve with fruit from the Forbidden Tree. ... Considering time and place within the play, in the Victorian era when Christianity was the prevalent religion, it was easy for audiences to view the correlation between t...
In William Shakespeare's Othello, Iago is the main villain because he is an angry man and is happy to take down everyone around him to get what he wants. ... The word "honest" is used to describe Iago many times throughout the play, but describing Iago as honest could not be farther from the truth This is because the act Iago puts on to seem as though he is honest, when he is really a deceitful person. ... Cassio follows Iago thinking that Iago is trying to help him. ... Othello doesn't kill Iago because he says Iago is a devil. ... Iago is the ultimate villain because of his g...
