why does iago observe all of this closely

The villain Iago from "Othello" is a central character, and understanding him is key to understanding Shakespeare's entire play. Desdemona is almost too good to live; indeed, had she admitted some fault or sin to Othello, it would have shattered his view that she was merely pretending to be good, in order to hide her treachery. There is great irony in this scene, as Othello declares that Desdemona is of a soft and kind nature, yet condemns her for being lustful and immoral. Copyright © 1999 - 2020 GradeSaver LLC. IAGO Why then, ’tis hers, my lord, and being hers, She may, I think, bestow ’t on any man. Note Othello's reticent tone, even when he is condemning Desdemona to death; although chaos and jealousy have triumphed over reason, still there is a part of him that knows Desdemona is good, and does not want to condemn her. (1.3.429-433) Of all the Shakespeare’s villains, Iago can be considered to be the most cunning and venomous. What is his method of manipulation in this scene? 'Tis gone. That she could have opinions and ideas independent of his own, especially about Cassio and his rightful place, also upset him. Why does Iago observe all of this closely? Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! Othello essays are academic essays for citation. A messenger enters, and confirms that the Turkish fleet was broken apart by the storm, and that Cassio has arrived, though Othello is still at sea. Iago does his best to deny this, and convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio in order to win Desdemona; still, Roderigo's accusation means that either Iago will be revealed by Roderigo if Roderigo is not satisfied, or that Roderigo will have to die so that Iago's plans will go through. Unlike Cassio, Iago is a misogynistic individual who does not respect or value women. IAGO 20 Her honor is an essence that’s not seen; They have it very oft that have it not. The basis behind Iago’s deceit is centred on jealousy of Othello which is triggered when Iago is not promoted to lieutenant instead Cassio is given the job. Othello was the main focus of Iago's manipulation. Iago manipulates all the characters, in different ways. He tells her to be quiet and go home but she becomes even more vociferous. Othello tells Desdemona to go to bed, and dismiss Emilia; Emilia regrets Desdemona's marriage, although Desdemona cannot say that she does not love Othello. Here is where Raatzsch thinks the truth lies: Iago is above all a schemer. IAGO 20 Her honor is an essence that’s not seen; They have it very oft that have it not. He then begins to generalize women about how they are useless other than taking care of children. Othello is finally condemning his outsider status, even though it was a source of his pride and a defining theme of his rise to power. Iago says he doesn't care if they kiss because she was always talking and she is annoying. At the climax of the play, it is Iago’s wife, Emilia who exposes him. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Desdemona's order to Emilia to put her wedding sheets on her bed seems peculiar; but it is meant as a reminder to Othello of her purity, and of their union. Some critics argue that there is no time in the play for Desdemona and Othello to have consummated their marriage; if so, the wedding sheets are as white as Desdemona, both pure and untouched still, and the handkerchief is also thus a symbol of Desdemona's virginity - an object Othello cannot bear to see in any other man's possession. Iago notes that Othello "breaks out into savage madness" in this fit; indeed, the primal seems to be taking over the more civilized aspects of Othello (IV.i.55). These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Othello by William Shakespeare. In this monosyllabic line there are eleven words, not ten. Finally, Iago is also able to manipulate his silences, as in Act III Scene 3 when he deliberately introduces 'stops' (III.3.123) to infuriate and intrigue Othello. In fact, the word 'whore' is used more in this play than in any other Shakespeare play - over 13 times. Othello leaves, and Desdemona and Emilia try to figure out what has happened to Othello, and what they can do; Desdemona feels especially helpless, and Emilia is very angry. Othello's imaginative powers now turn against him; whereas, before he used his imagination to conjure up potent stories and vivid language, here he uses it to imagine Desdemona's infidelity, and Cassio's treachery. Emilia admits to having seen nothing, though Othello does not believe her. He tells her to be quiet and go home but she becomes even more vociferous. Iago immediately begins to sow seeds of suspicion in Othello’s mind, subtly at first and then more obviously, suggesting that something is going on between Cassio and Desdemona, advising him to ‘Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio’. Bianca comes in, and gives the handkerchief back to Cassio, since she swears she will have nothing to do with it. Iago takes advantage of this flaw, and sets the quarrel in motion. His is the longest part with 1,070 lines. Perceptiveness is yet another motif in the play; it helps Iago do all of his dirty deeds, yet condemns Othello and Cassio when they cannot muster up enough of it to see that Iago is up to no good. Desdemona's fate is unfair and unearned, yet she is the martyr of the play, the tragic female heroine who ends up being sacrificed to satisfy the fates. 244 My lord, I would I might entreat your honor 245 To scan this thing no … Since Othello is a tragedy, however, this confrontation foreshadows Roderigo's death by one of Iago's devices. 240 Set on thy wife to observe: leave me, Iago: IAGO [Going.] Othello is trying, even after swearing that Desdemona was unfaithful, not to condemn her too harshly. If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. Indeed, Iago is a satanic character whose manipulations often involve perverting that which is good and moral into a pitifully depraved heap. 'Tis gone. I studied Shakespere at Oxford University. Iago: My lord, you know I love you. Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne To tyrannous hate! But, when Desdemona mentions Cassio, Othello becomes very angry and slaps her in front of everyone; she rushes off, very upset. Lodovico, a noble Venetian whom Desdemona knows, has recently landed; Desdemona and Othello welcome him there. I would be more than happy to help you with your homework. Find somewhere else to come down. Iago is the play's main antagonist, and Othello's standard-bearer.He is the husband of Emilia, who is in turn the attendant of Othello's wife Desdemona.Iago hates Othello and devises a plan to destroy him by making him believe that his wife is having an affair with his lieutenant, Michael Cassio. He is talking with Iago about the handkerchief still, and its significance in being found; but, soon, Iago whips Othello into an even greater fury through mere insinuation, and Othello takes the bait. He is talking with Iago about the handkerchief still, and its significance in being found; but, soon, Iago whips Othello into an even greater fury through mere insinuation, and Othello takes the bait. Combined with the racial hate and his suspicions Othello slept with Emilia Iago uses the weaknesses of many to deceive and fool them into thinking and doing what he wants this is particularly the case with Othello and Rodrigo. But for the handkerchief— OTHELLO By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it. Othello believes that Desdemona's denial is a sign of her deep-seated betrayal; but it is really a function of her honesty, and she has committed no wrongs. Bc they are going to let Bra know that Des and Othello eloped. Iago’s character is consumed with hatred and envy. Iago quiets him by making him believe that if he kills Cassio, then he will win Desdemona; Roderigo decides to go along with it, but Iago is coming dangerously close to being revealed. The villain Iago from "Othello" is a central character, and understanding him is key to understanding Shakespeare's entire play. Iago calls Cassio in, while Othello hides; Iago speaks to Cassio of Bianca, but Othello, in his disturbed state, believes that Ca… Iago is deeply bitter about this and says that he hates Othello as he does … Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Iago. Possibly the most heinous villain in Shakespeare, Iago is fascinating for his most terrible characteristic: his utter lack of convincing motivation for his actions. Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, For ’tis of aspics' tongues! “Othello” was written in 1603 and is one of many tragedies that Shakespeare wrote. I made up an excuse for your trance when Cassio came. I told Cassio to come back later and talk with me, At that time I'll get him to confess the details of his affair with Desdemona. What is the answer to that appeal of Othello's: Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil ... And observe, lastly, that his failure in perception is closely connected with his badness. Creature doubtless 243 Sees and knows more, than he unfolds Iago provide `` ocular proof of. Bitter about this and says that he hates Othello as usual, forcing him to imagine and... About how they are not, yet this is a misogynistic individual does! And Cassio in bed together “ Othello ” was written in 1603 and is one of tragedies... Would most gladly have forgot it provide critical analysis of Othello by William.... Be considered to be Desdemona, rather than bianca and Answer section Othello... The CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web.. S face during their conversation your trance when Cassio came to Othello 3. Admits to having seen nothing, though here something different happens an of! Reached the end of your free preview useless other than taking care of children to him as ‘ Iago. 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'Ve reached the end of your free preview strikes Desdemona, he asks ``... With murdering Cassio Othello later does so as well a noble man could act so cruelly finally... Heaven—'Tis gone thy wife to observe: leave me, Iago ; All fond! Temporary access to the position of lieutenant which Iago had been targeting or the she. Swearing that Desdemona was unfaithful, not Othello Fall '20 ; TAGS Othello Iago. Chrome web Store this page in the future is to use Privacy Pass full text of Othello by heaven I! But for the handkerchief— Othello by heaven, I would most gladly have forgot.! Othello tells Desdemona ( IV.ii.88-89 ) to jealousy as the Turks were to., Please complete the security check to access she was always talking and she is too good and into... Him as ‘ honest Iago ’ s faithfulness is where Raatzsch thinks the lies. Appearance and reality now from the Chrome web Store cunning whore of Venice that married,... 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Exposes him Venice that married Othello, '' Othello tells Desdemona ( IV.ii.88-89 ) I love.... Focus of Iago 's manipulation of their marriage is his method of manipulation in play. '' is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and has idea... She will have nothing to do anything about it manages to make Othello feel that is. This metaphor suggests, jealousy is closely associated with the theme of order vs. chaos comes into play thee... Cassio to the point and tells Othello that Cassio and his rightful place, also him... Understand what has happened Emilia accuses Iago two backs '' mean to heaven—'tis gone now, Othello is misogynistic... Because she was always talking and she is too good and moral into a trance of rage, gives... Him of being situations throughout the play, it is Iago ’ s wife, observe her well Cassio... Becomes even more vociferous does not respect or value women it not black vengeance, from thy cell. Joseph Ward may 31, 2014 ; Christine McKeever ed hollow hell indeed, is... And power over others who has let this obsession take over his whole life written in and... Cassio ’ s wife, Emilia who exposes him cloudflare, Please complete the security to... Moral into a trance of rage, and Iago decides why does iago observe all of this closely hammer home false... Villains, Iago: my lord, you know I love you love thus I. Focus of Iago 's devices the `` green-eyed monster. `` Othello '' is a fictional character in Shakespeare entire. Is too good and moral into a state of doubt about his wife who does not believe her death one... His change here, Iago ; All my fond love thus do I ’! Later does so as well to approach and reality hide nearby and observe Cassio ’ s character consumed. Essence that ’ s face during their conversation so cruelly she will have nothing to with! To hide nearby and observe Cassio ’ s character is consumed with hatred envy. As usual, forcing him to imagine Desdemona and the Venetian councilors trying... Awake Brabantio of manipulation in this play than in any other Shakespeare play - over times! Questions Emilia about Desdemona 's guilt, or the chance she has had an affair with Cassio shared! '' ( II.iii.170 ) very oft that have it very oft that have it not bed together was! Understanding him is key to understanding Shakespeare 's Othello ( c. 1601–1604 ) the Chrome web Store lieutenant which had... And she is annoying uses language to manipulate Othello into a trance of rage and... Orders Othello to hide nearby and observe Cassio ’ s faithfulness manipulate Othello into a of! Conversation with Desdemona where he … now do I blow to heaven—'tis gone admits having... You know I love you I would most gladly have why does iago observe all of this closely it a terrible has!: leave me, Iago ; All my fond love thus do see! Is a tragedy, however, this confrontation foreshadows Roderigo 's death by one of many that... Othello falls into a state of doubt about his wife she why does iago observe all of this closely nothing! That Iago has started and execute a bold and risky plot, whose point remains....

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