Iago as the Representation of Evil in Shakespeares Othello Essay

Iago as the Representation of Evil in Othello In Shakespeares, Othello, the reader is presented the classic battle between the deceitful forces of evil and the innocence of smashing. It is these forces of evil that ultimately lead to the breakdown of Othello, a noble Venetian moor, well cognize by the people of Venice as an honorable soldier and a worthy leader. Othellos breakdown results in the murder of his wife Desdemona. Desdemona is representative of the good in nature. sound can be defined as forgiving, honest, innocent and unsuspecting. The evil contained within Othello is by no means magical or mythical yet is be by the character Iago. Iago is cunning, untrustworthy, selfish, and plotting. He uses these traits to his advantage by slowly planning his own triumph while watching the demise of others. It is this that is Iagos motivation. The ultimate defeat of good by the wrath of evil. Not only is it in his own nature of evil that he suceeds but also in the weaknesses of th e other characters. Iago uses the weaknesses of Othello, specifically jealousy and his devotion to things as they seem, to conquer his opposite in Desdemona. From the start of the play, Iagos scheming ability is shown when he convinces Roderigo to tell about Othello and Desdemondas elopement to Desdemonas father, Brabantio. Confidentially Iago continues his plot successfully, making fools of others, and himself macrocosm rewarded. Except Roderigo, no one is aware of Iagos plans. This is because Iago pretends to be an honest man loyal to his superiors. The fact that Othello himself views Iago as trustworthy and honest gives the evil within Iago a perfect unsuspecting victim for his schemes. The opportunity to get to Desdemona through Othello is on... ...96. Reprint from Literature. N. p. Random House, 1986. Mack, Maynard. Everybodys Shakespeare Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies. Lincoln, NB University of Nebraska Press, 1993. Muir, Kenneth. Introduction. William Shakespeare Ot hello. New York Penguin Books, 1968. Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http//www.eiu.edu/multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos. Wilson, H. S. On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy. Canada University of Toronto Press, 1957. Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. The Engaging Qualities of Othello. Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Introduction to The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare. N. p. Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1957