Analyse Iago’s motivations for plotting against Othello during Act One;
how does he use his position and rhetoric to manipulate Roderigo and
sow seeds of doubt within and regarding Othello?
From the first act, Iago is clearly established as the antagonist in
“Othello”, and the audience witnesses the beginning of his plot to ensure
Othello’s downfall. On the surface level, this is explained by Iago’s racist
attitudes and suspicion that Othello is sleeping with his wife, Emilia. However,
on its own, this is too simplistic. The entirety of “Othello” is a warning against
the dangers of jealousy, and it is this emotion that primarily invokes Iago’s
wrath. Through Iago’s clandestine scheme, Shakespeare explores the
darkness within mankind and our desire to destroy our fellow man.
Immediately in the first scene, Iago reveals his first reason for attacking
Othello. He resents Othello for giving Cassio the position of lieutenant, arguing
that “Preferment goes by letter and affection / And not by gradation, where
each second / Stood heir to the first”. Iago speaks in blank verse, projecting
an air of persuasive sophistication to Roderigo. This demonstrates to the
audience how Iago manipulates Roderigo into supporting his campaign
against Othello. This juxtaposes the prosaic language used later in the scene
when Iago says to Brabantio: “you’ll have your daughter covered with a
Barbary horse; you’ll have your nephews neigh to you”. The prose reveals the
true vulgarity of Iago’s character, and the contrast emphasises his ability to
alter his appearance to achieve his goals. The animalistic language
dehumanises the, as yet unnamed, Othello, demonstrating the racial
undertone to Iago’s hatred. This hatred foreshadows the way in which Iago will
plot against Othello to avenge himself for Othello’s apparent favouritism
towards Cassio.
Iago plots against Othello to improve his own social status, saying
“Others there are, / Who… Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves…
how does he use his position and rhetoric to manipulate Roderigo and
sow seeds of doubt within and regarding Othello?
From the first act, Iago is clearly established as the antagonist in
“Othello”, and the audience witnesses the beginning of his plot to ensure
Othello’s downfall. On the surface level, this is explained by Iago’s racist
attitudes and suspicion that Othello is sleeping with his wife, Emilia. However,
on its own, this is too simplistic. The entirety of “Othello” is a warning against
the dangers of jealousy, and it is this emotion that primarily invokes Iago’s
wrath. Through Iago’s clandestine scheme, Shakespeare explores the
darkness within mankind and our desire to destroy our fellow man.
Immediately in the first scene, Iago reveals his first reason for attacking
Othello. He resents Othello for giving Cassio the position of lieutenant, arguing
that “Preferment goes by letter and affection / And not by gradation, where
each second / Stood heir to the first”. Iago speaks in blank verse, projecting
an air of persuasive sophistication to Roderigo. This demonstrates to the
audience how Iago manipulates Roderigo into supporting his campaign
against Othello. This juxtaposes the prosaic language used later in the scene
when Iago says to Brabantio: “you’ll have your daughter covered with a
Barbary horse; you’ll have your nephews neigh to you”. The prose reveals the
true vulgarity of Iago’s character, and the contrast emphasises his ability to
alter his appearance to achieve his goals. The animalistic language
dehumanises the, as yet unnamed, Othello, demonstrating the racial
undertone to Iago’s hatred. This hatred foreshadows the way in which Iago will
plot against Othello to avenge himself for Othello’s apparent favouritism
towards Cassio.
Iago plots against Othello to improve his own social status, saying
“Others there are, / Who… Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves…
