IagoIago

OthelloOthello

QuestionsQuestions You might get a question about a You might get a question about a

secondary charactersecondary character Or a villainOr a villain More likely you will need to show More likely you will need to show

understanding of the role Iago plays understanding of the role Iago plays in Othello’s downfallin Othello’s downfall

E.g. “love in difficult circumstances”E.g. “love in difficult circumstances”

MotivationMotivationBitterBitter because he missed out on promotion: because he missed out on promotion: ““by the faith of manby the faith of manI know my price, I am worth no worse a place”I know my price, I am worth no worse a place” Racist: Racist: ““an old black ram”an old black ram” Loves Desdemona:Loves Desdemona:““I do love her too” I do love her too” (2.2.280)(2.2.280) Believes Emilia has slept with OthelloBelieves Emilia has slept with Othello““I hate the MoorI hate the Moor

and it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheetsand it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheetsHe has done my office”He has done my office” (1.3.377-378) (1.3.377-378)

Thinks Othello is pompous about his Thinks Othello is pompous about his success:success:

““loving his own pride and purposesloving his own pride and purposesEvades them with a bombast circumstance,Evades them with a bombast circumstance,Horribly stuffed with epithets of war” (12-14)Horribly stuffed with epithets of war” (12-14) He is obsessed with rank:He is obsessed with rank:

He says he as “off-capp’d” to Othello often He says he as “off-capp’d” to Othello often and talks of “preferment”and talks of “preferment”

Soldiering has made him cruelSoldiering has made him cruel““Nine or ten times I had thought to have Nine or ten times I had thought to have yerk’d him here, under the ribs.” (1.2.4-5)yerk’d him here, under the ribs.” (1.2.4-5)

Likes having Likes having powerpower over others: over others:““With as little a web as this will I ensnare With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio”as great a fly as Cassio”

Pure Pure evilevil and hatred: and hatred:““I hate the Moor”I hate the Moor”

Act 1Act 1Iago shows that he is deceitful: “I am not what I am”Iago shows that he is deceitful: “I am not what I am”And shows that he is able to manipulate peopleAnd shows that he is able to manipulate peopleHe is able to adjust the way he talks to suit his He is able to adjust the way he talks to suit his

purpose. He can be persuasive, sly, direct, crude, purpose. He can be persuasive, sly, direct, crude, light-hearted...light-hearted...

He makes Roderigo wake BrabantioHe makes Roderigo wake BrabantioBut knows when to step back and hide in the But knows when to step back and hide in the

shadowsshadowsThe first Act ends with a soliloquy where he works The first Act ends with a soliloquy where he works

through his intentions. He seems uncertain at first through his intentions. He seems uncertain at first saying “How? How?” but by the end of the speech saying “How? How?” but by the end of the speech his plan is becoming clearer:his plan is becoming clearer:

““I have’t... Hell and nightI have’t... Hell and nightMust bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.” Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.”

Act 2Act 2 At the beginning of this act he jokes with At the beginning of this act he jokes with

Desdemona but is criticises Emilia for Desdemona but is criticises Emilia for nagging himnagging him

He uses words with double meanings and He uses words with double meanings and plays on the literal and metaphorical plays on the literal and metaphorical meanings of ‘black’ and ‘white’meanings of ‘black’ and ‘white’

He has a soliloquy (2.3.314-340) where he, He has a soliloquy (2.3.314-340) where he, ironically, denies that he is the ‘villain’ as ironically, denies that he is the ‘villain’ as he is helping Cassiohe is helping Cassio

However he talks of the “Divinity of hell” – However he talks of the “Divinity of hell” – he lives by evilhe lives by evil

Act 3 Scene 3Act 3 Scene 3 He intrigues Othello, withholding information He intrigues Othello, withholding information

and teasing him with suggestionsand teasing him with suggestions When he needs to he reassures Othello: When he needs to he reassures Othello:

“My lord, you know I love you” (3.3.117)“My lord, you know I love you” (3.3.117) There are ironic denials: There are ironic denials: ““Utter my thoughts! Why, say they are vile Utter my thoughts! Why, say they are vile

and false” (137)and false” (137)And warns him: “O beware, my lord, of And warns him: “O beware, my lord, of

jealousy:jealousy:It is the green-eyed monster which doth It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on.” (167-169)mock The meat it feeds on.” (167-169)

But he plants the doubts which feed Othello’s But he plants the doubts which feed Othello’s jealousy:jealousy:

““She did deceive her father, marrrying youShe did deceive her father, marrrying youAnd when she seem’d to shake and fear your looksAnd when she seem’d to shake and fear your looksShe lov’d them most.”She lov’d them most.” Iago assures Othello he will support himIago assures Othello he will support him He tells him of Cassio’s dream: “Sweet He tells him of Cassio’s dream: “Sweet

Desdemona”Desdemona” And tells Othello “It speaks against her with the And tells Othello “It speaks against her with the

other proofs.” (442)other proofs.” (442) By the end of the scene he is in control of Othello By the end of the scene he is in control of Othello

who kneels before him: “Do not rise yet” (463)who kneels before him: “Do not rise yet” (463)

Act 4Act 4 Iago enjoys exerting this power over everyone: Iago enjoys exerting this power over everyone:

“Thus credulous fools are caught” (4.1.45) “Thus credulous fools are caught” (4.1.45) He is in total control, ordering Othello around: He is in total control, ordering Othello around:

“Stand you awhile apart” (74)“Stand you awhile apart” (74) He gives Othello the ‘evidence’ neededHe gives Othello the ‘evidence’ needed He even speaks to Desdemona, reassuring He even speaks to Desdemona, reassuring

herher And tells Othello exactly how to murder And tells Othello exactly how to murder

Desdemona: “Do it not with poison; strangle Desdemona: “Do it not with poison; strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.” (201-202)contaminated.” (201-202)

Act 5 Scene 2Act 5 Scene 2 Iago kills Roderigo Iago kills Roderigo Roderigo calls him “inhuman dog”Roderigo calls him “inhuman dog” When Iago’s guilt is uncovered he ‘stabs When Iago’s guilt is uncovered he ‘stabs

Emilia from behind’Emilia from behind’ When questioned he says: When questioned he says: ““Demand me nothing; what you know, you knowDemand me nothing; what you know, you knowFrom this time forth I never will speak word.” From this time forth I never will speak word.”

(300-1)(300-1) He shows no remorse or sorrowHe shows no remorse or sorrow The last words about him are “O spartan dog,The last words about him are “O spartan dog,

More fell than anguish, hunger or the sea” More fell than anguish, hunger or the sea” (Lodovico)(Lodovico)

The play ends with description of his The play ends with description of his inhumaninhuman cruelty cruelty

Throughout, Iago displays a lack of respect Throughout, Iago displays a lack of respect for human life, relationships or emotionsfor human life, relationships or emotions

Love “Love “is merely a lust of the blood and a is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the willpermission of the will””

He manipulates people’s qualities for his He manipulates people’s qualities for his evil ends: “The Moor is of a free and open evil ends: “The Moor is of a free and open nature” (1.3.390)nature” (1.3.390)

““out of her own goodness make the netout of her own goodness make the netThat shall enmesh them all” (2.3.339-340)That shall enmesh them all” (2.3.339-340)

And he continually uses animal imagery:And he continually uses animal imagery:

Animal ImageryAnimal Imagery"drown cats and blind puppies" (1.3.332-3)"drown cats and blind puppies" (1.3.332-3)"[Othello] will be as tenderly led by the nose / "[Othello] will be as tenderly led by the nose /

As asses are." (1.3.395-6)As asses are." (1.3.395-6)"with as little a web as this will I ensnare as "with as little a web as this will I ensnare as

great a fly as Cassio" (2.1.165-6)great a fly as Cassio" (2.1.165-6)He seems to think people are no better than He seems to think people are no better than

animalsanimalshttp://http://

www.rsc.org.uk/othello/teachers/themes.htmlwww.rsc.org.uk/othello/teachers/themes.html