Explore disturbing aspects of human nature in Shakespeare’s
Othello
In his 1604 tragedy ‘Othello’, Shakespeare presents the disturbing aspects
of human nature as complex. The character of Iago is presented as a
Machiavellian villain and as exemplifying the dark aspects of human
nature through his skill of manipulation and deceit. Shakespeare also
explores the theme of racism though Iago as well as Brabantio in a time
when those of colour were stereotyped and discriminated against. He also
explores the theme of misogyny and limiting roles of women in Jacobean
society most explicitly through the downfall of Desdemona through the
loss of her reputation and the character of Emilia who acts as a
mouthpiece against the patriarchal society of the time.
Shakespeare presents Iago as a Machiavellian villain to exemplify the
darkest and disturbing aspects of human nature. Joan Kerlin argues that
“Iago is the devil, for Iago’s intent to bring evil out of good”. This is shown
most clearly in his second soliloquy when he plots to turn Desdemona’s
“virtue into pitch and use her own goodness to make the net that shall
enmesh them all”. The juxtaposition of virtue and pitch highlights the
extreme lengths Iago will go for his revenge. The fact that her embroils an
innocent person like the “virtuous Desdemona” creates dislike and
distrust in Iago in the audience. The metaphor creates a sense of
entrapment and foreshadows how the characters will be unable to escape
from his insidious plot for revenge. It is significant structurally, that he
states this in a soliloquy as it creates significant dramatic tension for the
audience as they know his true self rather than his “honest Iago”
pretence. Another time when Iago is presented as a Machiavellian villain is
in his first soliloquy when he stats to conjure his plan and exclaims: “it is
engendered. Hell, and night shall bring this monstrous birth to the world
light”. The rhyming couplet and use of figurative imagery creates a sense
of an incantation or magic spell. The quietus metaphor and juxtaposition
of “birth” and “hell” hyperbolises the destructive and devilish nature of
Iago. Shakespeare has done this to instil fear in the audience for Iago and
the horrors he represents in order to highlight humanities atrocities. Andy
Kerkin who played Iago at the Royal Exchange Manchester in 2012
claimed: “he’s not the devil. He’s like you or me with feelings of jealousy”.
However, I disagree with his argument as Iago’s motivations are highly
convoluted. First, he accuses Othello of having “twixt my sheets” and
having “done my office”. Then he accuses Cassio also of having “done
with my night-cap”. All are euphemisms for sex and yet seem to be
completely base-less. Iago himself even states “I know not if’t be true”.
His justifications seem comical. I therefore agree more with Colderige who
states Iago has a “motiveless malignancy” which suggests he is more of a
devil than a man. This was typical of Machiavellian villain of the time.
Shakespeare and his contemporaries believed that Machiavelli’s ideas
were corrupt and immoral and therefore created a stage archetype of a
villain who was completely evil and totally immoral.
Othello
In his 1604 tragedy ‘Othello’, Shakespeare presents the disturbing aspects
of human nature as complex. The character of Iago is presented as a
Machiavellian villain and as exemplifying the dark aspects of human
nature through his skill of manipulation and deceit. Shakespeare also
explores the theme of racism though Iago as well as Brabantio in a time
when those of colour were stereotyped and discriminated against. He also
explores the theme of misogyny and limiting roles of women in Jacobean
society most explicitly through the downfall of Desdemona through the
loss of her reputation and the character of Emilia who acts as a
mouthpiece against the patriarchal society of the time.
Shakespeare presents Iago as a Machiavellian villain to exemplify the
darkest and disturbing aspects of human nature. Joan Kerlin argues that
“Iago is the devil, for Iago’s intent to bring evil out of good”. This is shown
most clearly in his second soliloquy when he plots to turn Desdemona’s
“virtue into pitch and use her own goodness to make the net that shall
enmesh them all”. The juxtaposition of virtue and pitch highlights the
extreme lengths Iago will go for his revenge. The fact that her embroils an
innocent person like the “virtuous Desdemona” creates dislike and
distrust in Iago in the audience. The metaphor creates a sense of
entrapment and foreshadows how the characters will be unable to escape
from his insidious plot for revenge. It is significant structurally, that he
states this in a soliloquy as it creates significant dramatic tension for the
audience as they know his true self rather than his “honest Iago”
pretence. Another time when Iago is presented as a Machiavellian villain is
in his first soliloquy when he stats to conjure his plan and exclaims: “it is
engendered. Hell, and night shall bring this monstrous birth to the world
light”. The rhyming couplet and use of figurative imagery creates a sense
of an incantation or magic spell. The quietus metaphor and juxtaposition
of “birth” and “hell” hyperbolises the destructive and devilish nature of
Iago. Shakespeare has done this to instil fear in the audience for Iago and
the horrors he represents in order to highlight humanities atrocities. Andy
Kerkin who played Iago at the Royal Exchange Manchester in 2012
claimed: “he’s not the devil. He’s like you or me with feelings of jealousy”.
However, I disagree with his argument as Iago’s motivations are highly
convoluted. First, he accuses Othello of having “twixt my sheets” and
having “done my office”. Then he accuses Cassio also of having “done
with my night-cap”. All are euphemisms for sex and yet seem to be
completely base-less. Iago himself even states “I know not if’t be true”.
His justifications seem comical. I therefore agree more with Colderige who
states Iago has a “motiveless malignancy” which suggests he is more of a
devil than a man. This was typical of Machiavellian villain of the time.
Shakespeare and his contemporaries believed that Machiavelli’s ideas
were corrupt and immoral and therefore created a stage archetype of a
villain who was completely evil and totally immoral.
