Shakespeares Othello - The Character of Iago :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

The Character of Iago in Othello One of the most interest characters in the tragic play Othello, by William Shakespeare, is Othellos friend Iago. At origin glance, Iago seems to have no motive for the final stage he is causing. How ever so, despite Iagos substantial malignancy, the motivation behind his actions lie more in Iagos quest for own(prenominal) gain, as opposed to just being evil for evils sake. In sanctify to achieve his personal gain Iago distorts Rodrigo, Cassio and, most importantly, Othello. Iagos main interest is the destruction of Othello. The reason being that Othello has chosen another man, Cassio, as his second-in-command, preferring him to Iago. This resentment, accompanied by Iagos fabricated accusations of adultery and his blatant racism, cause Iago to despise Othello, and shortly thereafter, vex to conspire against him. Instead of just killing Othello, Iago proceeds to attack him emotionally. Iago begins to manipulate the people around him in order t o hurt Othello and make him count that his wife, Desdimona, and Cassio are having an affair. The first to fall victim to Iagos manipulation, is Rodrigo. Iago knows Rodrigo has feelings Desdemona, and would do anything to make her his own. Iago tells Rodrigo that the scarcely way to win Desdemonas love, is to make money to procure gifts for her. ...put money in thy purse.. (Act 1, Scene 3, Line 339). However, Iago is just taking those gifts intended for Desdemona and keeping them for himself, and in doing so, making a substantial profit. Thus do I ever make my fool my purse (Act 1, Scene 3, Line 376). Rodrigo eventually starts to apparent motion Iagos honesty. When faced with this accusation, Iago simply offers that killing Cassio will aid his cause and the unripened Rodrigo falls for it. I have no great devotion to the action and yet he has given me satisfying reason, (Act 5, Scene 1, Line 8). In doing this, Iago keeps Rodrigo in the dark and continues to profit from him moneta rily. Cassio, like Rodrigo, follows Iago blindly, thinking the whole clock that Iago is trying to aid him, when in-fact, Iago, motivated by his lust for power, is attempting to depose Cassio of his sic as lieutenant. Iago does this by getting Cassio drunk and causing him to get in a fight and disturb Othello, Othello then demotes Cassio of his rank as second-in-command thereof securing the position for Iago.