Iago

Question 1

William Empson

Answer 1

William Empson “Everybody calls Iago honest once or twice but with Othello it becomes
obsession” (Identity)

Question 2

Bradley

Answer 2

A.C Bradley “power and superiority” are Iago’s desires

Question 3

Raatzch

Answer 3

phonetic affinity between ‘ego’ and ‘Iago’ (Ego is the decision making, uses rational
ideas to seek pleasure and desires)

Question 4

E A J

Answer 4

Iago is a seductive character, who is able to get the audience to collude with him.

Because ‘his victims lack humour, Iago appeals to us as more amusing”

Question 5

French

Answer 5

Marilyn French = ‘All characters who slightly encourage female independence are destroyed by Iago.’

Question 6

Samuel Johnson

Answer 6

Samuel Johnson = ‘Iago’s manipulating was artfully natural’

Question 7

Coleridge

Answer 7

“a being next to the devil”

“motiveless malignity”

Question 8

William Blake

Answer 8

“Iago publishes doubt and calls it knowledge”