Yet despite the fact that the play's title is nothing but his name, Othello is arguably not really the central figure of the story. Iago is far more instrumental in moving the plot forward; it is his (not fully explained) hatred of Othello that the play is concerned with, and though Othello is obviously necessary as the object of Iago's hatred and jealousy, he takes a largely passive role in the bulk of the events as they unfold. It is Iago who truly effects the twisted and complex machinations that eventually lead to Desdemona's death and his own rather emasculating evisceration. Iago more time onstage and almost exactly the same number of lines as Othllo, making him a clear rival for the audience's attention. The tide begins to shift enormously in Iago's favors when his many soliloquies -- monologues generally delivered to the audience when no one else is present onstage -- are taken into account.
Something about hearing Iago's plans as a sort of confidant draws the audience into the play, and even seems to have the effect of making one not exactly root for Iago, but enjoy watching his progress perhaps more than we would like to admit. Shakespeare was always quite adept at creating entertaining and gripping villains who simply seem to drip with evil, and the Iago that emerges from a careful reading of the script is absolutely drenched in greed, ambition, and jealousy. The reader/audience member knows almost from the very start of the play that Iago is two-faced, and loathes his commander and supposed friend Othello. This makes the interactions between the two characters incredibly titillating, as we are able to perceive the layers of Iago's meaning.
The very first conversation in the play takes place between Iago and Roderigo, the latter of whom quickly becomes a pawn in the former's scheming, and gets straight to the point of Iago's jealousy and dislike for Othello. Iago has several longer speeches in this scene, but it is the first speech which is truly expository and yet raises some major questions about the central conflict of the play. In this speech, Iago outlines how he should have been preferred for advancement in Othello's army, but that despite the recommendations of several noblemen and his own record of service, he is passed over for the younger and less experienced Michael Cassio: "Now, sir, be judge yourself, / Whether I in any just term am affined / To love the Moor." (I. i. 38-40). This speech to Roderigo suggests that Iago's main reason fro disliking Othello is a mixture of indignation at being passed over for a promotion he felt was rightly his, in addition to jealousy of Othello's power to choose and act how he pleases. Other speeches in the play, however, propose other motives for Iago's actions and his extreme hatred of the Moor, which could suggest that he is being at least slightly disingenuous with Roderigo by supplying him with a more practical reason for acting on his hatred.
The other reasons that Iago has for hating Othello are certainly less practical, yet for this they are perhaps quicker to stoke Iago's temper and will to violence. In a later scene between he and Roderigo, as well as in other instances during the play, Iago hints that it is Othello's status as a Moor (and therefore his race and color) that at least in part makes leads to his hatred of his commander. Speaking of Desdemona (whom Roderigo also loves), Iago says "Her eye must be fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil?... very nature will instruct her in it and compel her to some second choice" (II. i. 239-47). This could be a tactic to increase Roderigo's anger against Othello, but it also shows Iago's irrational hatred of the Moor.
Yet Iago is essentially a rational character; except for the passion of his hatred, everything he does is carefully reasoned and calculated. This is shown most clearly in his soliloquies, in which he outlines his thinking and his plans for the audience/reader. The film does an excellent job of capturing...
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