Othello

Most people live their lives with honesty and respect, however people portray an illusion of these characteristics and when provoked are capable of unimaginable villainous acts. In William Shakespeare’s play Othello the reader is introduced to such a villainous character in Iago. Iago portrays an image of honesty and everyone around him believes this to be his character, but Iago uses this trust to manipulate others and seek revenge on Othello. Iago’s motives for revenge are related to the time period in which the play takes place. That his superior officer, Othello, is a black man causes reason for hatred and jealousy. That Iago did not receive a promotion to which he felt he was deserved, and suspects his wife of committing adultery with Othello fuel Iago’s hatred for the Moor. These points are cause enough for Iago to seek revenge on Othello and by the end of the play cause a terrible tragedy. These points show that Iago has a clear motive for his villainy.

Shakespeare wrote Othello during the early 16th century. In this time period black people were held with low regard and given little to no rights. It is thus significant that he made Othello a black character of great stature. It is significant because Iago’s hatred for the Moor has roots in the race issue. It is evident that Iago regards Othello as a lower primitive being, as seen how he describes the Moor “…you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary/ horse, you’ll have your nephews neigh to you,/ you’ll have coursers for cousins, and gennets for/ germans.”(Shakespeare 7, I.1. 108-111). Here Iago is describing the Moor as a horse, which shows a lack of respect on his behalf. Iago clearly regards the Moor as a lower than he yet Iago is bound to serve under him. This is a fact that Iago knows he cannot change under normal circumstances and thus arises feelings of hatred towards the Moor. There are larger reasons for Iago's villainy, however, the issue of race should not be ignored as part of Iago’s motive for his deceptive acts towards the Moor.

Another motive for Iago’s deeds is the suspicions he has of Othello sleeping with his wife, Emilia. Although this is not something Iago can prove he still believes it is true, “…it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets / H’as done my office. I know not if’t be true,/ But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,/ Will do, as if for surety.” (Shakespeare 27, I.3. 378-381). Iago admits that this adultery cannot be proven, but decides to use this suspicion as a fact to fuel his hatred for Othello. In Iago’s second soliloquie he once again speaks of his suspicions and describes the anguish it causes him, “Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards;” (Shakespeare 40, II.1. 298). The significance of this line is that it shows how strong Iago’s belief that Othello committed adultery with his wife is, but more importantly it shows the reader part of Iago’s justification for his villainy. However, it might be hard to imagine Othello committing adultery with Iago’s wife due to the fact that Othello is portrayed as a respectful man, but Iago’s suspicions, which may be misplaced, do have some merit. When Emilia and Desdemona speak of adultery Emilia does not deny that she might commit such an act “Nor I neither by this heavenly light./ I might do’t as well i’ th’ dark.” (Shakespeare 106, IV.3. 68-69). Emilia’s words show that Iago’s suspicions hold some merit, and although the adultery is never confirmed or with whom such an act took place the adultery is