Iago Flashcards
What are the 5 archetypes of Iago at the start of the play?
Disgruntled employee
Cynic
Con man
Entrepreneur
Undecided
How does Shakespeare portray Iago as a disgruntled employee in Act 1? (2 points)
lago is resentful and egocentric - envious of others’ power and authority, wishing it for himself
His ego is wounded by the pecking order of his society - he is at the bottom and must serve many above him
What 2 quotes link to Iago’s presentation as a disgruntled employee? (2 points)
“I know my price, I am worth no worse a place,” (1.1) - believes he is entitled to Cassio’s promotion
“[Cassio] must his lieutenant be, /And I, God bless the mark, his Moorship’s ancient,” (1.1)
+ Sarcasm indicates resentment and bitterness
+ “his Moorship” conveys his disregard for his superiors
How does Shakespeare portray Iago as a cynic in Act 1? (2 points)
Shakespeare conveys lago’s disillusionment with his society and culture - his conspiracies could be an allegory for the Gunpowder Plot (civil unrest and rebellion)
Whenever he professes to love Othello in the play, he does so to further his own cause - calls into question the integrity of love itself
What 4 quotes link to Iago’s presentation as a cynic?
“Preferment goes by letter and affection, / Not by the old gradation,” (1.1)
Condemns the corruption and favouritism of ostensibly infallible institutions
“merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will,” (1.3)
He rejects the concept of love, believing it to be a weakness
Presents love as a facade in Act 1.3:
+ “In following him, I follow but myself,”
+ “For necessity of present life, / I must show out a flag and sign of love,”
How does Shakespeare portray Iago as a con man in Act 1? (1 point and 2 quotes)
lago is a master manipulator - able to distort reality or his appearance to fit his needs
“For when my outward action doth demonstrate / The native act and figure of my heart…” (1.1)
Him admitting this to Roderigo implies a fear of truthfulness and vulnerability
“I am not what I am,” (1.1)
Perfectly sums up his character - conveys:
+ The paradox of human identity
+ The truth that our own perceptions of others limit us
How does Shakespeare present Iago as an entrepreneur in Act 1? (3 points)
He is a renegade through his resentment towards the Venetian pecking order - wants to take apart the system from the inside
He doesn’t want them to share in his victories - driven by selfishness, pride, misanthropy, and greed
His ‘every man for himself’ outlook mirrors capitalist ideals - he rejects”love and duty”, the two concepts upon which Venetian society is built
What quote link to Iago’s presentation as an entrepreneur? (2 points)
“I follow [Othello] to serve my turn upon him,”, continuing, “Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, / But seeming so for my peculiar end,” (1.1)
Him scorning life in Heaven conveys materialism and narcissism - he doesn’t fear divine judgement or moral consequence as he cares only for getting what he wants
How does Shakespeare portray Iago as undecided in Acts 1-2? (3 points)
lago may appear confident and self-assured, but Shakespeare hints at a conflicted, unstable mental state
His narratives are of his own making but propel him towards violence - he may have no real motivation and might merely crave drama and chaos
His attempts to justify them suggest he isn’t as content with his own vices as he wants us to believe
What are the 4 reasons Iago gives for his plot against Othello?
Othello choosing “a great arithmetician, / One Michael Cassio,” (1.1) to be his lieutenant
The rumour that Othello has “done [his] office.” (1.3)
His “love” for Desdemona (2.1)
His “fear [that] Cassio [is] with [his] night-cap,” (2.1)
What are the 4 archetypes of Iago throughout the play?
Jilted husband
Serpent
Bigot
Preacher
How does Shakespeare portray Iago as a jilted husband throughout the play? (2 points)
Iago is ruled by traits that define toxic masculinity which manifest in his misogyny and paranoia, including:
+ Sexual jealousy
+ Exaggerated pride
+ Belligerent competitiveness
Iago angrily accuses both Othello (1.3) and Cassio (2.1) of sleeping with his wife but doesn’t care for Emilia at all - demonstrates the hypocrisy within male insecurities
What 3 quotes link to Iago’s presentation as a jilted husband?
He’s cruelly dismissive of Emilia and calls her a “villainous whore” (5.2) - sees her as a ‘lost cause’ and a fallen woman, unworthy of his care or attention
Implied that Emilia nags him - tells Cassio - “Would she give you as much of her lips…” (2.1)
He calls her a “foolish wife” and a “good wench” (3.3)
How does Shakespeare portray Iago as a ‘serpent’ throughout the play? (4 points)
lago can identify someone’s biggest wants or insecurities, and exploit them for his own gain
Shakspeare uses this to show how Venetian society’s biases and prejudices make it vulnerable to such machinations
Just like the Serpent in the Garden of Eden, lago doesn’t commit any crimes himself until the end of the play
Orchestrates the actions of everyone else, so that they do his dirty work for him
What 2 quotes link to Iago’s presentation as a ‘serpent’? (1 point and 2 quotes)
He’s also depicted as a master of disguise - he can change his personality when the situation calls for it
E.g. in Act 1.3: he promises Roderigo “thou shalt enjoy [Desdemona].” while belittling him, calling him a “silly gentleman”
With Othello, he focuses on Desdemona’s flaws while acting as the loyal friend, reminding him often, “You know I love you,” (3.3)
