Two dead and one wounded, and honest Iago is still left behind to cackle at his dominion while the marionettes hang limply from the puppet-master’s fingers. So we know Iago is utterly unrepentant and makes no attempt to justify his actions. Society is full of people who do evil things just because the opportunity is there.” Several referred to 9/11 and the terrorists. I do concede that yes, normal human beings don’t murder, manipulate and lie without a reason or a motive; but Iago is an exception. In Othello, the Moor was easily able to call his friend, Iago, “honest Iago.” Whereas in society, honesty is often times questioned due to the lack of knowledge. He claims that this cuckolding incites him to seek bloody reprisal against Othello and Cassio. Good night. This honest creature doubtless / Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds"(3.3.242-243), "This fellow's of exceeding honesty, / And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit, / Of human dealings" (3.3.258-260), "God buy you; take mine office. Honest Iago The poet Coleridge appropriately described the character of Iago as being one of “motiveless malignity.” Throughout the play Iagos motives are secondary to, and seem only to serve as justification for, his actions. But he, as loving his own pride and purposes. Of particular significance to me is House of Cards’ Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey). And yet at the end of it all, he is triumphant. As a bluff, hearty soldier, he [Iago] had indulged himself in all the peccadilloes that are generally more excused in the uniformed warrior than in the civilian; his more excessive asocial whims had been pretty well channeled off in the violence of war where even killing was not only accepted but honored. He has created a spectacularly intelligent and manipulative villain. Although the influence of the miracle plays and the later morality plays with their type-characters still lingered in some Elizabethan drama, the English Renaissance is widely recognized as a period of great interest in that branch of science which has become known in modern times as psychology. Honest Iago of Othello To most of the world William Shakespeare is recognized as the greatest dramatist in history. With the advancing of the plot, one sees that Iago is only honest to himself because he seems to have the complete awareness of his treacherous self. Good night. One student wrote that although we may not see it explicitly expressed in the play, Iago’s malignity had to arise, he believed, “out of feelings of inferiority.” Another asserted, “Just because we cannot see the motive does not mean a motive does not exist.” And finally, one wrote, “We, as humans, are all complex, unique, and sometimes imbalanced individuals. I need to talk to you first thing in the morning.’ He smiled at the waiting Desdemona. Most of the time however, the majority don’t realise how Iago/Frank are orchestrating and manipulating everything and everyone. This is most ironic, of course, since Iago is the furthest thing from it. This is a punishment he deserves to inflict. Dramatists were particularly intrigued by the more bizarre working of the human mind, often creating characters whose personalities could form the subjects of contemporary psychological case studies. Abraham Lincoln Quotes Albert Einstein Quotes Bill Gates Quotes Bob Marley Quotes Bruce Lee Quotes Buddha Quotes … I noticed a real difference from previous years in the class discussion of “motiveless malignity”: students embraced it far more readily and unquestioningly. Seeing as he always comes across as helping others and not looking out for himself, this “honest” tactic ironically gains him more trust and respect from others. OTHELLO Honest—ay, honest. Even in Act 5 Scene 2, after he has killed Desdemona and when Emilia stoutly defends Desdemona’s innocence, he still maintains he is right because Iago said so: Iago is driven by his nature of character. Schapiro, B.A. A female student declared, “Yes, I believe in such a thing. After all, Iago’s plot was not revealed until after the destruction had happened and it was too late. Iago is the most unique villain of Shakespeare There has been a lot of controversy about his motives and he has been considered as an incarnation of the devil. It is not sufficient to simply drape Iago in allegorical trappings and proclaim him Mister Evil or a Machiavel or a Vice. When I set out to write this analysis, I chose Iago because, to me at least, he is simply the most interesting character in the play; and I decided to approach the text from a Psychoanalytical perspective because his psychology is really the most interesting part of him. Frank’s secret conversations with us, the furtive sweet nothings he whispers in our ears, are a pathway to his character. Othello, and other villains that attempt to rationalize their actions, are caught up in their justifications. Iago . Iago (/ i ˈ ɑː ɡ oʊ /) is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Othello (c. 1601–1604). For his quick hunting, stand the putting on. The reality pertaining to this is that Iago has evil and menacing emotions concerning Othello. Iago’s … He is a villain that knows exactly what he’s doing and doesn’t care. For ’tis most easy, In any honest suit. OTHELLO Indeed? In a masterful style, he deceives him as someone who truly cares about him when actually he is the one who designed Cassio’s fall in public and suggested his failure to Othello. American Imago, 604, 481–499. Othello, trusting Iago, is completely taken in: "I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, making in light to Cassio" (227-229). To DESDEMONA. West illustrates his complete lack of remorse: But the play itself shows clearly enough that Iago goes off as he comes on, devoid of conscience, with no remorse. https://www.theodysseyonline.com/trump-will-leave-everyone-behind-parallels-between-donald-trump-iago-shakespeares-othello. Iago is dishonest because he lies without regret, and yet he’s honest because he’s perhaps the only character who is honest to himself. Shakespeare's vast knowledge, and writing style made his works interesting for both the intellectual, and the illiterate. Cassio to Iago “I humbly thank you for’t. CASSIO : Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch. 3s4 othello. Michael, goodnight. In this scene, Iago supplants Cassio, regaining his place nearest to Othello. What are his motivations? Perhaps the most interesting and exotic character in the tragic play “Othello,” by William Shakespeare, is “Honest” Iago. Come, my dear love, The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you. They seem unconvincing, like “afterthoughts”. This is who Iago is. 10 : To DESDEMONA : Come, my dear love, The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you. Like the psychopath described by Cleckley, Iago is impulsive, but he sees nothing basically wrong with his own behavior, no matter how erratic or antisocial; therefore, he doesn’t bother to find or invent excuses unless prodded. To me, some people operate under their own set of rules which the rest of us just can’t understand.”. Shakespeare is a genius for creating a character so deep and multifaceted in a time that did not know what the word ‘psychopath’ meant. He uses Roderigo to perform his dirty work, and without him would have been unable to discredit Cassio in the first place. His enemy Cassio still lives, vengefully tasked with his punition and he himself is forever denied the power he sought. After Roderigo, he arrives at Cassio and realises his use. 'iago is most honest' a2s3 othello. He contributed to the main theme of the play. CASSIO Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch. He shows his emotions when he says “Iago is most honest” (Act 2, scene 3). She’s framed as fruitful. Exit Othello and Desdemona. Iago and Roderigo . Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony creates a feeling of responsibility within a reader, as we are aware of Iago’s motives but powerless to alter the events of the play. Due to this reason, this theme remains one of the most dominant and relatable themes in the play. OTHELLO “Think, my lord?” By heaven, thou echo’st me As if there were some monster in thy thought Too hideous to be shown. Cassio deflects these claims, he's definitely not after her. When this advice is free I give, and honest, Probal to thinking, and indeed the course, To win the Moor again? Thou told’st me thou didst hold him in thy hate. Iago knows that the allegations about adultery between Othello and Emilia may be untrue, and yet he acts as if they are certain “I know not if’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety.” This hints that Iago does not really care that Othello is cuckolding him, but rather that he uses it as a convenient argument. The term honest is a word that is easy to describe yet often times difficult to portray. This decision on Roderigo’s part seals his fate as a consequence of trusting the “honest” Iago.Thus, through the entire play, the character of Iago alters little except in the method of his treachery which increases proportionally. Iago's supposed honesty is ironically, also a result of his own lying, … a3s3 othello . a3s3 emilia. Iago and Frank both achieve revenge and attain power by orchestrating from the shadows. This is thy work. One of the most interesting and exotic characters in the tragic play Othello, by William Shakespeare, is honest Iago. / My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago" (5.2.152-154), "If he say so, may his pernicious soul / Rot half a grain a day! Moreover, Iago is not honest when he assures Cassio that the loss of reputation means so little. This soliloquy is perhaps the most powerful in the play because it carries so much depth and subtext. Michael, good night. "Iago is most honest," he insists. Iago states that being honest results in only negative consequences, losing all of what was gained, which is the same philosophy that he applies in his own character. Non-suits my mediators, For ‘Certes’, says he. At first Iago seems to be motiveless. He isn’t concerned with justifying his opinion through motives because they are irrelevant to him. i am abus'd and my relief must be to loathe her. Iago is habitually praised by Othello: "Iago is most honest" (6), and Cassio: "Not tonight, good Iago." Underwood is just as ruthlessly driven and manipulative as Iago; perhaps more so. Also Know, who is the most honest character in Othello? CASSIO Welcome, Iago. Cassio, sobered, grieves for his lost reputation: "I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial" (242-244), and Iago replies "Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, often … (3.3.375-376), "O monstrous world! “Honest Iago” is a motif I’ve made an attempt to bring up many times in this article because I wanted to really illustrate the dichotomy of Iago’s outward and inward characters. OTHELLO What dost thou think? OTHELLO Iago is most honest. This is most ironic, of course, since Iago is the furthest thing from it. Iago works this nickname to his advantage to intentionally cause harm. These quotes demonstrate how Othello sees Iago and how wrong he actually is. ’Tis not yet ten … Due to this almost all characters are in a crisis of determining who and who not to trust. ːgo?/) is a fictional character in Shakespeare 's Othello (c. 1601–1604). Iago presents his hatred for Othello and Cassio because of him being passed over for a promotion as his motivations for the vengeance he wishes to wrought upon the two. Iago is most honest. The object poisons sight; Iago is the manipulative and omniscient puppet master of Othello that seemingly controls everything from behind the scenes. Stecula, Dominik. Fiction, however, is not the only thing I can draw comparisons to. CASSIO Welcome, Iago. With 1,097 lines, Iago has more lines in the play than Othello himself. His plays have been performed for centuries through various interpretations. he lies to the heart" (5.2.155-156). I really haven’t given it the attention and assessment it deserves but it is perhaps something I’ll go over more thoroughly later. You shall observe him, / And his own courses will denote him so / That I may save my speech" (4.1.277-280), "O brave Iago, honest and just, / That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong! When Iago pretends to help Cassio, he comments; "I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest", [Act III, scene I]. / Thou teachest me" (5.1.31-33), "No, his mouth is stopp'd; / Honest Iago hath ta'en order for't" 5.2.71-72), "Ay, 'twas he that told me first: / An honest man he is, and hates the slime / That sticks on filthy deeds" (5.2.147-149), "He, woman; / I say thy husband: dost understand the word? - Iago, Act 1 Scene 1). However, unlike me, she rejects the concept of motiveless malignity. started with stage acting in Shakespeare’s Richard III, It is often difficult to tell what is and isn’t real. We know he is being dishonest. It’s a pity that Spacey won’t be returning for the last season, I doubt the show will ever be the same. However, the motivation behind his actions lie more in Iago’s quest for personal gain, as opposed to just being evil for evil’s sake. Make note of the conversation between Iago and Roderigo I quoted above. If Lodovico wants to know more, he should just keep an eye on Othello. That she repeals him for her body’s lust; And by how much she strives to do him good. An important example … Iago is constantly referred to as “honest Iago” and when a character is talked about in a positive light, they are described as “honest.” This repetition makes us never forget that honesty is an important quality and is held in high regard. You see, Iago doesn’t plot to kill Othello, Desdemona and Cassio in one fell sweep because he truly thinks he’s being cuckolded, or because his skills have been overlooked; Iago commits all this violence, and destruction because he wants to. https://lifeinthelenseblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/frank-underwood-a-modern-day-iago/. He killed Othello, slandered Desdemona and injured Cassio for the love of destruction. He was questioning his choice but, lying to himself and others that Iago was a good man. Othello and others in the play constantly refer to him as "honest Iago." The most interesting and round character in the tragic play Othello, by William Shakespeare, is "honest" Iago. Thou dost mean something. Moreover, at the very beginning of the play Iago presents his anger at being passed over a promotion to lieutenant as the cause of his hate for the two. Yet I’ll not shed her blood, Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/07/10/fake-news-might-be-harder-to-spot-than-most-people-believe/. In Act One. Iago feels betrayed at this because Othello had seen him in battle but overlooked him. Iago is most honest. Two dead and one wounded, and honest Iago is still left behind to cackle at his dominion while the marionettes hang limply from the puppet-master’s fingers. Be repeated so often else she ’ ll not shed her blood, Nor scar whiter. He casually slips iago is most honest a crisis of determining who and who not to trust Emilia cheating on him for.. She may make, unmake, do what she list, with his plot is,! Reliability and direct speaking play plants seeds of doubt into Othello ’ s ” every and! Smart enough to make it appear that he does not seek personal gain appeal sexism! 15: Iago it is ironical that Iago has lost to the watch evil things just because opportunity! 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