Othello - Iago

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and Iago and are privy to their conspiracy to undermine Othello. With a masterful stroke, Iago subdues Roderigo, his 'dupe' and sets up the initial plot- Iago intends to gain his rightful position of lieutenant by destroying Othello and Casio. "I Know my price, I am worth no worse a place." Although Iago's plan does not change throughout the play, his motives, which obviously influence his actions do. Iago's initial motive in destroying the protagonist is hatred. "I hate the Moor." This shifts to jealousy, "He's done my office", to just sheer malignant motives. "If Cassio do remain he hath a daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly." It is as if Iago has allowed us to follow his journey from revenge to finally madness.
Iago's emotive feelings are dictating the direction of the plot. The audience ponder whether Iago will gain some control and restore balance. By Act 3 sc. iii he has achieved half of his objectives. Cassio has been removed and Iago has replaced him as ...

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planned by Iago), the plot would never have developed. With great skill, Iago is able to arrange a conversation between Cassio and Bianca and carefully position Othello so that he thinks Cassio is discussing his wife. 'Oh, dear Cassio! As it were. His gestures import it'.

However, Iago's success is partly due to luck. Luck that the handkerchief was dropped by Desdemona and retrieved by one of Iago's unsuspecting puppets, Emila. Luck that Cassio was confronted by Bianca and luck that his plot was not discovered any earlier.


Iago's importance is also shown through his significance (relative to other characters) to the play. By far, in terms of stage time, soliloquies and the ...

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