Here’s a hint: Iago
Young Adult Character Analysis
Written by Sky Enchantress
What makes a play? Here’s a hint: characters.
They are the essence of a play and are the reason why some of us can get “wound up” by a particular story. Characters can stir emotions within us, perhaps because we can identify with them or because we come to despise their actions.
Whatever the reason, a play can’t develop its story without the help of its characters. A great example of how characters help develop a story can be found in William Shakespeare’s play, Othello.
Though each and every character in Othello contributes to the story as a whole, the tragedy of Othello would not have occurred if it weren’t for one character in particular: Iago. Iago is the character you love to hate. He defines every aspect of racism, deception, and jealousy. In Othello, Iago is the reason why there is a story.
The audience is introduced to Iago very early in the play. In fact, he is the one who opens the story to the audience; causing an uproar in the middle of the night in an attempt to wake Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, and inform him of her sudden absence.
Iago’s action in this scene can be seen as somewhat ironic, because as the audience later learns, Rodrigo (who was accompanying Iago when he woke Brabantio), was in love with Desdemona.
It would be easier for the audience to empathize if Rodrigo had been the one to inform Brabantio of Desdemona’s secret relationship with Othello, because of his feelings towards her. However, such is not the case, and Iago’s actions begin to foreshadow his own plot to ultimately ruin Othello.
Iago’s feelings towards Othello quickly surface and are revealed to the audience. One of the first emotions to be disclosed is his racism and prejudice towards Othello. While he converses with Brabantio upon the matter at hand, he begins to describe Desdemona as being covered by a “Barbary horse” (referring to Othello) who’ll have “coursers for cousins, and gennets for germans” (1.1.108-111).
Throughout the play, there are numerous speeches where Iago declares to the audience his hatred towards Othello. Though racism may be one cause of this, the fact that jealousy also rules over him, could be another.
Iago is envious of Othello and this is where his racism stems out from. Iago is jealous of the fact that, not only is Othello marrying a Venetian woman, but he is also a very successful Moorish general.
One should note that Venetian women were known to be exquisite and elegant, whereas Moors were perceived as low class people. These preconceptions gnaw at Iago’s insides and cause him to devise a plan that will ultimately ruin Othello.
Iago carefully deceives Othello, making him believe that he is on Othello’s side. Because Othello is in some ways naive and too trusting, he easily falls for Iago’s lies. Iago conveys to Othello that Desdemona has been having an affair with Cassio (when in fact, she has not). Little does Othello know that Iago has conjured up a complex scheme to spite him.
One of the crucial scenes in the play involves a handkerchief. Desdemona had dropped a handkerchief on the floor and Emilia found it. Upon finding it, she hands it to Iago, not knowing what he would do after obtaining it.
This ultimately ties into Iago’s scheme, at a point where he once again lies to Othello, telling him that he found Desdemona’s handkerchief in Cassio’s quarters. Othello then questions Desdemona himself, about where her handkerchief is. Desdemona tells him that she can’t find it, which causes Othello to have even more reason to believe Iago and to doubt Desdemona’s loyalty.
All the time, Iago acts as innocent as one can be, while giving Othello his condolences and offering him advice. Unfortunately, Othello is taken aback by what Iago has accused his wife of doing and refuses to accept any sort of explanation from her. And we all know what happens next.
In the end, it is Iago that causes Desdemona’s death and Othello’s downfall.
Iago carries the characteristics of jealousy, racism, and deception upon his shoulders, but wears a facade of a good and honest man. Though each and every character in this story plays a crucial role, it is Iago that causes the tragedy of Othello.
If there is a character that the audience will truly hate in this story, then that character is certainly Iago.
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