(Kolin 214) In other words, a close reading of the play raises the question as to whether evil is spurred by ulterior motives and feelings such as jealously or whether evil is a purely senseless act that is its own motive.
The poet Coleridge was of the view that Iago represents senseless evil in human nature and that his character is a symbol and incarnation of evil itself; hence the famous quote, "The motive-hunting of motiveless Malignity," This refers in particular to Act 1, Scene 3 of Othello in which Iago takes leave of Roderigo. In this soliloquy Iago states that, …. I hate the Moor:
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
He has done my office: I know not if't be true;
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety. (Lines 386 -390)
Even at this early stage of the play Iago is already preparing to take advantage of Othello's psychological and moral vulnerabilities. As he states in the same scene;
The Moor is of a free and open nature,
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by the nose
As asses are.
I have't. It is engender'd. Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light
(Lines 399 -- 404)
These lines coincide with his pathological view of the innate corruptibility of human nature: "It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will." ( lines 334- 335).
From another more psycho-sociological perspective, the evil that lurks in the heart or psyche of Iago can be referred to as the antithesis of the sense of order and balance that was deemed to be the ideal standard in Shakespeare's time. The problem of evil that surfaces in many of Shakespeare's plays is closely connected to the Elizabethan and Jacobean worldview, where evil is an imbalance in the natural and harmonious order of things in the universe. Iago is evil in this sense in that he creates a word where order and balance represented by love and honor...
(Shakespeare 1994) The play stands out from many aspects. However, there are some elements which make it one of the most important of Shakespeare's works and one of the most acclaimed. The tragedy comes from the eventual incompatibility between true love and the code of honor. Convinced by Iago's evil plan that his wife was unfaithful, Othello the Moor of Venice becomes blind to any explication and swears revenge. In
In the context of Othello, this is not such a reassuring notion because Othello and Iago represent the worst that man can be. The reality of this fact allows us to look upon Othello is disgust and with caution. These two men are known by their first names worldwide not because they are nice but because they are the farthest from it. They are human and they are evil
Most Elizabethans believed their self-identity was wrapped up in a cosmic paradigm of fate and destiny, and were somehow controlled by the stars and planets and had a power over the baser side of man -- tools of God, but with certain amounts of free will. Thus, a very central idea in Shakespeare is this central view that an individual's identity is set by God, the Planets, the Universe, the
Shakespeare's Othello, one of the major themes deals with the way individuals struggle to restore their honor and certainty about life. This is particularly reflected in the prime theme of betrayal -- Iago knows that Othello has an innate need to remain loyal and honorable to Venice, and that he can easily be consumed by jealousy if he believes Desdemona has betrayed him. The entire good/evil struggle revolves around
SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS William Shakespeare and his plays are the main topic of discussion in this paper. William Shakespeare is one of the greatest names whose literary contributions and writings are considered as assets for the literary world. Shakespeare's plays and writings are of considerable importance for the readers all around the world because his writings and power of expression are unmatchable. William Shakespeare and his plays have in fact formed
Othello's final speech in Act five of the play, paying close attention to poetic elements as well as imagery within the passage. The analysis should be clearly focused and based on evidence found within the text. The essay should reflect a clear understanding of the play based on in-depth reading of the play for broader issues and intent by the author. Othello's final speech redeems him even after he murders his
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