Iago Flashcards
Why can the audience not fully trust Iago?
It’s difficult to know what Iago is really like because he’s able to adapt to every situation or character. His true nature always stays hidden, and he even lies in his soliloquies.
According to Shakespeare’s choice of name, why might Iago be racially motivated to destroy Othello?
Iago could be named after the Spanish Saint Iago who was known as the ‘Moor Killer’.
Describe and give a quote that suggests Iago is jealous of Cassio.
He’s angry with Othello for choosing Cassio who has “never set a squadron in the field”.
Describe and give a quote that suggests Iago is jealous of Othello.
Iago suspects Othello had an affair with Emilia - “twixt my sheets/He’s done my office”.
Describe and give a quote that suggests Iago is Materialistic.
His exploitation of Roderigo is motivated by greed and self-interest: “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse”. Once Roderigo is no more use to Iago, he kills him.
Why is it difficult to believe these various motivations?
They are inconsistent - they seem more like excuses than genuine motivations. It could be said that Iago loses sight of his own intentions (addicted to power evil control)
Give a quote that suggests his motive is unknown. What does this suggest?
“From this time forth I never will speak a word” - This suggests that either he doesn’t have any motives, or that he won’t reveal them - this makes him seem even more ruthless and means that he remains in control.
What does critic Samuel Coleridge argue?
Iago has no real motives and is pure evil - his behaviour is “motiveless malignity”.
Why can Iago be seen as a ‘Vice’ character?
‘Vice’ characters personified evil in medieval morality plays (eg Shakespeare used Richard III as a ‘Vice’ character). Although Iago is more complex than this, it is likely that Shakespeare was influenced by this literary tradition.
Give an example of Iago being like a manipulative director.
In Act 4, Scene 1 he not only tells Othello to eavesdrop on him and Cassio, but he also tells him how to interpret it: “mark the fleers, the gribes, and notable scorns/ That dwell in every region of his face”.
Give an example of Iago thinking on his feet.
He can take advantage of unexpected situation such as in Act 5, Scene 1 - he seizes an opportunity to stab Roderigo and blame Bianca for the fight.
Describe how Iago’s success is also a result of his versatility.
He adapts his language to suit the person he’s speaking to. e.g.
- Desdemona - he appears to be a trustworthy confidante: “do not weep, do not weep: alas the day!”
- Roderigo - he uses commands to confidently direct the action.
- Othello - He uses vulgar language to create a detailed image of Des’s and Cassio’s affair to torture him: “were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys”.
Give a quote that suggests Iago seems to display a contempt for women.
He suggests that women are promiscuous - claiming that they “rise to play and go to bed for work”.
