Honest Iago

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of this discussion, Coleridge intends the later.
Abbott states "in truth character is what a person is; reputation is what he is supposed to be." (Websters) Is Iago evil? No, he is not. Walter Lippmann says that "evil is not a quality of things as such. It is a quality of our relation to them." (Websters) Iago is not opposed to good (a partial definition of evil) however, he is amoral and malicious.
How does Iago see himself? "Others there are who, trimmed in forms and visages of duty, keep yet their hearts attending on themselves, and throwing but shows of service on their lords do well thrive by them, and when they have lined their coats do themselves homage. These fellows have some soul, and such a one do I profess myself." [Act I, Scene I, Line 49] Iago says of Cassio that "he hath a daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly" [Act V, Scene I, Line 19] Iago is aware of his lack of "social graces." However Iago does not feel ugly toward himself. He feels ...

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and knowledge of human nature (others’ and his own) allow him to control the other characters with ease.

Why, Iago, why? The initial motive for Iago's devious behavior is to right a misdeed against him; he, not Cassio, should have been lieutenant. "And I, of whom [Othello’s] eyes had seen the proof . . . must be beleed and calmed" [Act I, Scene I, Line 28] Then he changes his motive to jealousy; he proclaims Othello has had an affair with his wife, Emilia. "And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets he's done my office. I know not if't be true, but I for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety." [Act I, Scene III, Line 363] The ...

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