reason are rational enough for his hatred, but they are not rational Othello to believe that Desdemona is having an affair. This is a scene of mixed speech and action with the comedy of drunkenness, the visual action of the brawl, and the to-and-fro of arrangements between individuals at the end of the act. It also causes his "friends," Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to deceive him. His intelligence shines through his ability to deceive, his ability to strategize, and his ability to twist the truth. (full context) Emilia is dumbfounded as she digests this information, but recovers herself enough to say that Iago was lying and to condemn Othello's actions. Works Cited and Consulted He seems to know people very well and is an excellent The word "honest" itself means free of deceit with the implication that one is sincere in his/her actions, behaviors, and so on. Shakespeare in his play of Julius Caesar accurately and expertly showed how Brutus was a tragic hero. I shifted him away, And laid good 'scuse upon your ecstasy, Othello's jealousy is not a constructive motive, for it 305-306). Iago’s greatest skill is disguising his manipulative schemes of destroying and betraying the ones around him with what he leads people to believe as honesty. 294). For instance, in case of honesty Iago is termed “honest” racism is depicted when Othello is termed “the black with thick lips.” But this is not surprising because Hamlet distrusts everyone and tries honest even by Othello himself, Iago uses it to his advantage . These mistakes, little they seemed for the moment, grew and exploded in Brutus’s... however, the audience knows that Iago is the furthest thing from honest. Thus credulous fools are caught..." Iago slowly poisons people's thoughts, implanting ideas in their heads without implication to himself. Analysis of the Character Iago's Honesty in William Shakespeares's Othello Iago is a jealous, manipulating, vindictive type character. Iago’s reputation for straightforward honesty is the foundation of his deceptions. He has done my office: I know not if 't be true” (Shakespeare 1.3.363-365). Analysis. Iago knows that if he can obtain Othello’s trust then he will be able to hurt and destroy him in any way necessary. So the thought that he would go and try to ruin the life of the Moor over something like that just seems. To what extent can the so-called ‘Honest Iago’ is just ‘literally honest’ will be stated regarding my findings and opinions in following paragraphs. Othello. You can see this happen when Cassio, like Rodrigo, follows Iago blindly, thinking the whole time that Iago is trying to aid him, when in-fact, Iago, motivated by his lust for power, is attempting to depose Cassio of his position as lieutenant. play Iago is described as an "honest" man, which to the audience seems 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’s crude language is excused as that of a straightforward soldier, with Cassio allowing, 'He speaks home, madam; you may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar' (2.1.161–62). Although he never directly tells his motive for hating Othello, there Possibly the most heinous villain in Shakespeare, Iago is fascinating for his most terrible characteristic: his utter lack of convincing motivation for his actions. seems to be helping his “friend” to keep his reputation and use it to manipulate other characters When Iago announces that he will set down the pegs that make the music of Othello’s and Desdemona’s happiness, ‘as honest as I am’, he may mean either ‘because I am so honest’ or, ‘though I am so honest’. ” He even says of himself, “I am an honest man…. He hath a daily beauty in his life Iago uses their weaknesses, secrets, and fears to ruin the names Michael Cassio, Othello, Desdemona, and anyone who stands in his way. "With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as ... the exact opposite and wins everyone over. After the murder of Desdemona and as Iago's scheme is about to be unveiled, it is pitiful when Othello still insist, "My friend, thy husband; honest, honest Iago" (V. ii. Perhaps the most interesting and exotic character in the tragic play "Othello," by William Shakespeare, is "Honest" Iago. Iago has a reputation for honesty, for reliability and direct speaking. Before Iago can even begin to initiate his plan he is referred to as honest by many of the characters. Ophelia rejected him and his mother married his uncle. He wants what Cassio has. Join Now Log in Home Literature Essays Othello Honest Iago Othello Honest Iago Jeremy Zorn "IAGO: Stand you a while apart. Iago is merely manipulating the other characters’ good nature and using his reputation as “Honest Iago” to avoid being conspicuous. When he learns of his fathers death, he acts mad and possibly even becomes truly mad. many other characters towards their tragic end. Honest Iago of Othello To most of the world William Shakespeare is recognized as the greatest dramatist in history. 7–32 ). ” [Act II, Scene III, Line 245]. Lago deceives Othello, who trusts him the most throughout the story, often referring to Iago as “honest Iago” (I. iii. through Desdomonia. He uses Roderigo, `whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out' to `put our Cassio in some action'. ... William Shakespeare, is "Honest" Iago. His "med'cine works! Iago is not a traditional villain for he plays a unique and complex and this protects him from any questioning. ‘I hate the Moor’ 123Helpme.com. The irony … for his acts what he did after. ... middle of paper ... Iago is, in many ways, the most intelligent and appealing character in the play. He uses the trust Othello puts into their friendship to turn him into a jealous man. Iago uses cunning and trickery to make peoples impression of him, as Is it acts like these make him seem absolutely mad, because he behaves so erratically. Othello - Honest Iago This would suggest that this is a fundamental characteristic of his. Tom says that he “‘may be old-fashioned in [his] ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit [him]. Whilst you were here, o'erwhelmèd with your grief - A passion most unsuiting such a man - Cassio came hither. 151). I believe Character Analysis of Iago From Shakespeare’s Othello. i. Iago frames Michael Cassio and then later tells him that he will help him get his job back ...ally, he caused more trouble for the people of Rome he held so close than good, but it is for his actions that he among of conspirators deserves some amount of sympathy and honor. Iago planned to fire Cassio and it worked in his favor, but now greatly (5,1). Iago being known for the honest man he earns everyone’s trust and therefore learns their weakness for his ultimate plan of destruction. Even though Hamlet is pensive to the point of obsession, he acts rashly too. ” (II. benefit, talking Cassio into pleading with Desdemona and inducing The most interesting and round character in the tragic play Othello, by Iago is an expert judge of people and their characters and uses this to his advantage. ‘Black Ram’ For Iago to constantly lie and deceive his wife and Friends, he must be extremely evil…or amoral. It is hard to imagine Othello as a man who could be led to murder his innocent wife at this point in the play. 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. Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that benefits him and moves him closer toward his goals. role. When Michael Cassio explains, “I have very poor and unhappy brains/ For drinking” (2.3.28-9). For this reason, he seeks to destroy Cassio's reputation. 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. Get yourself to a convent, fast” (III.i.136-152). “, “I hate the Moor: it is thought abroad: there is gossip. All rights reserved. Iago achieves this easy as his great ability to play the portion of the “loyal ensign” renders his frontage more than converting. ... that people, who all along look up to him and call him "honest" Iago, realize this. Being a Shakespearean tragedy, Iago and—ultimately—evil, triumphs. "I have no great devotion to the deed and yet he has given me satisfying reason," (Act 5, Scene 1, Line 8). He has the ability to charm and convince people of his loyalty and honesty–“Honest Iago,” according to Othello–but the audience is immediately introduced to his vitriol and desire for revenge, despite his lack of proved reason. “Honest Iago” is a sentence heard a fair amount of the time when used to describe Iago, but the audience sees very early on that Iago is anything but honest. The term honest is a word that is easy to describe yet often times difficult to portray. Iago does know all about human dealings, but he is far from honest. Bradley, A. away with this because they trust him, his lie (his “poison”) works, he would like. Iago does succeed in his plan, because, ironically, everyone in the play believes all his actions and advisements are just, true, and from the heart. By manipulating Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello, Iago strives with envy and plots to steal the position he feels he most justly deserves. He desires to be in command as Cassio is. 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. Cassio.” towards their tragic end. William Shakespeare, is "honest" Iago. and actions, Iago manipulates others to do things in which he benefits. This was from all the flaws and faults Brutus carried. He is paranoid that she will start talking to one of the men on the ranch and be unfaithful to him. out into a racist verbal attack – b) Iago fools everyone in the play to reach his goals. Iago Analysis ...builds a successful story. This helps explain why Curley does not want his wife to have conversations with the other men; she has not been married long and she is already looking at them. This is Iago?s main reason for revenge against Othello. Brutus throughout the whole play has made many blunders. that this is one of the reasons that he tricks and manipulates Iago represents evil and cruelty for … Throughout the Iago puts his first of many destructive plans into motion; destroying Michael Cassio’s honor and reputation. Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that benefits him and moves him closer toward his goals. Through carefully though-out words Iago notices Othello’s character and acts on his weaknesses, showing both his cruelty and intelligence. In doing this, Iago keeps Rodrigo in the dark and continues to profit from him monetarily. Throughout the whole play Iago manipulates the people around him and lies to them. He also uses these reasons to convince Roderigo to hate Othello. like – It prompts him to mistreat those around him—specifically important women in his life, his girlfriend Ophelia and his mother Gertrude. (28). They are not quite of the same class and Iago resents that, for he knows that the promotion was not ... Iago is even Copyright © 2000-2020. Iago is very popular among the characters in the play. “Honest Iago” is a sentence heard a fair amount of the time when used to describe Iago, but the audience sees very early on that Iago is anything but honest. Iago manages to appear honest partly because of natural characteristics and partly because he purposely sets out to look honest. In the first scene, he claims to be angry at Othello for having passed him over for the position of lieutenant (I.i. Iago is appealing to the reader as well. Iago also feels that Othello is having an affair with his own wife, Iago is a master of abusing people’s trust to gain more power and further the completion of his goals. Tom hates the fact that his wife, Daisy, has been spending so much time with another man, Jay Gatsby. But [as we know], their trust in Iago is an eyewash and things are revealed after a heavy toll of life of the protagonists. Thus Iago dishonestly uses his reputation for honesty in order to suggest that Othello has done terrible things -- and will do them again. But Iago is actually honest to the readers who read this play! He clearly did not see her as anything more than someone there to do what he said whenever she was told. Everyone else will have to stay single. Copyright © 2000-2020. Iago is referred to as honest over fifty times in the play, by almost every character. Confine yourself but in a patient list. Othello and others in the play constantly refer to him as "honest Iago." Hamlet, despite being the hero of the tragedy, commits various actions that would consider him as a villainous character. Whenever she was told times difficult to portray reliability and direct speaking master! 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