Iago character context + analysis Flashcards
Give some words to describe Iago
Machiavellian ,Mephistophelian, perfidious , vulpine , guileful , adroit , astute , a pawky wit , wily , cynical, malcontent, nefarious, malevolent, maleficent, agent of destruction
what is Iago fuelled by
Convoluted contradictory delusions and an inflated ego
Iago is an ________ member of Venetian society
Indigenous (white, male, married)
Takes his ________ and ________ out on his peers
Cynicism , disillusionment
Iago has a desire for ________
Destruction
Is Iago a typical or atypical characterisation of a Shakespearean villain
Atypical
Why is Iago an atypical Shakespearean villain
He’s allowed soliloquies and rapport with the audience
Describe the audiences relationship with Iago
Audience perhaps roots for Iago in a grudging , disconcerting and twisted way as they are made privy to his deepest thoughts
Shakespeare makes the audience complicit in his bigotry , this passivity implicates the Audience
traditionally a soliloquy depicts inner torment but iago is …
Settled with his immorality best seen through the inconsistency with his excuses as he is perhaps masking an innately evil nature
iago is ________ with the concept of love
Disillusioned
iago is happy to manipulate loves ________ power he is essentially the ______ _______ to Othello’s love
Intoxicating, demonic counterpart
Iago uses Othello’s love to do what ?
Sow his seeds of destruction
By employing the wickedness of love what does iago show
Love contains the capacity for evil within itself iago jus employs its wickedness
Iago doesn’t fear ______ consequence
Moral
Iago is a ________ employee and a ________ husband
Disgruntled , jilted
how is iago a disgruntled employee
Iago is a resentful egocentric individual who feels entitled to the promotion he was denied (illuminated by his resentment + bitterness )
How is iago a jilted husband
Iago is ruled by sexual jealousy, exaggerated pride and belligerent competitiveness all traits that define toxic masculinity
Shakespeare delineates the hypocrisy within male insecurities through Iago’s contradictory actions
iago can be correlated to the _______ in the garden of ____
Serpent , Eden
He doesn’t commit any crimes until the end of the play
Iago has a ‘every ____ for ______’ outlook in accordance with _______ ideals
‘Every man for himself’
Capitalist
Iago disregards “_____ and _____” the two concepts upon which the play and Venetian society are built
“Love and duty”
how is Iago a bigot
Iago is chiselled by Shakespeare to be a spokesperson for venetian bigotry + prejudice ideals in line with Jacobean England
His opinions are very reductive and degrading paints women as “villainous whores”
Iago embodies the ______ of white masculinity and its pathological fear of outsiders
Hegemony
Feelings of vitriol + fear
Iago depicts sexual desire as a _____ or a ______ in the _______ of the human body
Stain or blemish
Sanctimony
“Our bodies are our gardens ….. our unbitted lusts” (monologue/sermon)
what do Iago’s conspiracies act as
An allegory for civil unrest and rebellion
Emulates gunpowder plot against James I in 1605
Iago rejects the concept of love and therefore …..
Calls into question the integrity of love itself
Iago is an ______ like Othello
Ironist
To iago irony is compensatory it ….
Bridges the gap between his self esteem and the place accorded to him
Give a statement that delineates Iago’s character
“I am not what I am”
Conveys the paradox that is human identity
Iago has a _________ bond with Othello
Homosocial
The act of warning Othello of Brabantios rage feigning shock and innocence epitomises ….
The deceit and artifice that defines Iago and Othello’s relationship
there is a _____ imbalance because Othello trusted Iago deeply while Iago exploits and misleads him
Power
Iago is Othello’s ______
Subordinate
Resents Othello for his power and authority
What does Iago and Othello’s relationship symbolise
Symbolises the political power plays friendships and the social current attributed to fraternal bonds
how does Iago emulate capitalism’s savagery
He steers Othello’s paranoia and flaws for his own interest
Iago becomes Othello’s ____ conscience
Moral
Iago exacerbates Othello’s rage by …..
Spurring him on and electrifying his fury
Othello and Iago are the epitome of an abusive relationship how and why?
Othello is the unwitting victim in Iago’s web of deceit
Shakespeare uses Othello and Iago’s bond to navigate the virulent angle to love
Othello and Iago’s bond is the ______ to Othello and Desdemona’s authentic love
Antithesis
who is Emilia to Iago
His wife
Emilia is deferential to Iago’s flagrant misogyny what does this indicate
A loveless marriage
Iago has a ______ of guarding Emilias honour when truly he nurses his ____ masculinity through ______
Pretence
Toxic
Revenge
Iago ______ and ______ Emilia
Harangues and mocks
Emilia is a ______ to Iago
Scapegoat
contrary to Iago’s expectations Emilia…..
But….
Asserts herself but she still steals the handkerchief despite suspecting malice
“I nothing but if please his fantasy”
What does Emilia and Iago’s marriage portray
Womens identities erased in marriage
Iago takes advantage of Roderigos _______ with desdemona
Infatuation
Roderigo is Iago’s ______ he intimidates and mocks him
Inferior
iago intimidating Roderigo reveals what
Reveals the hypocrisy in Iago’s rejection of hierarchy
Iago has a ____ bond with Desdemona
False
Iago demonstrates a ______ of caring about Desdemona
Pretence
Iago impersonates a close ____ to Desdemona
Ally
(She takes solace in Iago’s loyalty)
Why is iago impersonating a close ally to Desdemona ironic
Ironic as the audience are aware Iago is faking it all
By weaving Desdemona into his web of deceit iago…
Perpetuates domestic violence
Iago purports to love Desdemona yet ….
Causes her immense suffering
What does Desdemona symbolise to iago
A trophy
A symbol of his virility and authority over Othello
“Wife for wife”
“Eye for an eye” - women are fought over like merchandise
Iago has no _____ relationship with Brabantio but ______ exploits his insecurities and prejudices
Direct
Indirectly
Brabantio and Iago’s indirect interaction depicts how ….
Venetian society’s bigotry enabled Iago’s catastrophic vendetta
Iago targets Brabantios racist ideals with his _________ Language
Inflammatory language
Iago is an __________ force that lays dormant employing others such as the spineless ________ to exact his vengeance
Omnipotent
Roderigo
Othello is pregnable to Iago’s ______ ________
Pestilent machinations
Analyse the quote said by Iago in A1 S1 “if I ever did dream of such a matter , Abhor me”
Compelling articulation + eloquent diction - claims to have never dreamt that a clandestine marriage between O + D could occur
Capitalisation negative imperative “abhor” opposed with conditional “if” inducts Iago’s tendency to self dramatise into the play
He is a typical intellectual malcontent
Shakespeare fleshes out Iago’s earnest hatred with Roderigos lesser intellect and malleability , he unravels Iago’s statements for the audience
to Iago Roderigo is the ideal _____
Pawn - he capitalises upon the gullibility of roderigo (wealthy nobleman)
analyse the quote said by Iago “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place”
Avaricious outlook tied with an entitled tone repetition of “I” solidifies this.
Iago is unsettled with his position in the Jacobean hierarchy
when speaking about Othello Iago says “Horribly stuff’d with epithets of war” analyse this quote (A1 S1)
Iago denigrates Othello and his performative language
This pre-empts Othello’s first entrance and his militaristic language - Iago moulds the eponymous hero from his viewpoint
Portrays Iago’s understanding of Othello’s psyche + struggle
Iago refers to Cassio as a “Florentine” analyse this (A1 S1)
Resents his background / tone of resentment
Potent hatred for Cassio and Othello , perhaps jealous Cassio has replaced him
Iago being introduced before Othello typifies a ________ tragedy which subverts _________ concepts in _____ tragedies
Renaissance
Aristotelian
Greek
”i follow him to serve my turn upon him” A1 S1
Analyse this quote
A malevolent force brimmed with the urge for vengeance
“My turn” must personally exact revenge
Utilises their inauthentic homosocial bond to induce his downfall
Fortifies future role as antagonist/ agent of destruction
Strategic renaissance malcontent targeting the ‘other’
“Serve” = pretence of loyalty that mocks venetian customs of “love and duty” - illusion of servitude
Shakespeare consistent in his allusion to false servitude e.g. Macbeth “ look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it” done in order to craft immense betrayal
”were i the Moor, i would not be Iago” A1 S1
Riddle like language to elucidate deceptive nature + how he delights in a logical inconsistency about identity - prefers to remain elusive never unearthing his true personality
Depicts the paradox of human identity + how Iago eschews clarity & identity
Analyse the quote said by Iago “I am not what i am” A1 S1
As Stephen Greenblatt noted Iago inverts Jesus’ divine expression of wholeness “i am what i am” to demonstrate to a religious Jacobean audience that Iago is akin to the antichrist = cautious , perhaps a modern audience with more diverse beliefs are intrigued by Iago’s character
The antithesis of wholeness and sincerity with a purposefully fractured and divisive identity
Foregrounds Iago’s intelligence he is a well versed + educated antagonist allows him to prey on the weakness’ of others
Iago says “poison his delight” followed by a series of imperative verbs A1 S1
“Poison’ has deceptive connotations fitting of Iagos duplicitous persona - an excruciating way to die he delights in the elongated pain of others - explaining why he strategically plots his revenge instead of murdering Othello - perhaps an atypical Jacobean man able to command his rage and use it for thoughtful manipulation
He is the director of the action - an imperceptible evil
to further frighten Brabantio Iago says “the devil will make a grandsire out of you” analyse this A1 S1
Associates Othello to the devil as Othello is a black man and the colour black had connotations of sin + lust - suggests he has bewitched Desdemona
Seen as unnatural/repugnant for Othello to procreate with Desdemona
When attempting to contuse Brabantios male ego as a partriarch Iago says “an old black ram is topping your white ewe” A1 S1
“Topping” = sexual imagery to enrage Brabantio as a daughters chastity was tethered to the households honour forcing him to challenge Othello + suggest a violent approach to sex normally associated with black men in the Jacobean era
Contrast of the “black ram” to the “white ewe” - ram = power + virility reinforcing stereotypes of black men being overtly sexual - “white” connotes gentleness + purity uses D’s fragility as a women to escalate the urgency of the situation - employs a white society’s fear of the ‘other’ to alienate Othello
CA = supportive MA = discouraging
Iago refers to Othello as a “Barbary horse” A1 S1
Denigrates + vilifies Othello by suggesting he is sub-human due to his race an ideal detained by Jacobean society
Through his alliteration “your nephews neigh” Shakespeare uses Iago to… A1 S1
imbue comedy into the play that would appeal to a
contemporary Jacobean audience
Iago says Othello and Desdemona are ‘making the beast with two backs” analyse this A1 S1
Animalistic language - Elizabethan street term to horrify Brabantio with the vision of his daughter being deflowered
Iago says in reference to Othello “i do hate him as i do hell-pains” Analyse this A1 S1
Repetition of “i do” stresses Iago’s urge for vengeance
No clear reason despite hatred - likens Othello’s presence in his life to torture from helll - a conduit for the devil
when leaving after indirectly conversing with Brabantio Iago says “i must show out a flag and sign of love”
This metaphor elucidates Iago’s performative villainy which engages the audience as they are made privy to his plans - offers direct communication to the actor unlike novels
“Sign of love” although it is nothing but sign” indicating he hasn’t an inkling of love for Othello but will pursue his facade of the trusted confidante to exact his malevolent plan
Iago tells Roderigo “put money in thy purse” A1 S3
Avaricity + wealth - emulates capitalist beliefs/ outlines capitalist ‘every man for himself’ outlook
Urges Roderigo to be self serving - love is unnecessary reflecting his own priorities
False/inauthentic camaraderie
Iago is the antithesis to Roderigo in both actions + words - he is typically masculine “come be a man” reserved, controlled & stoic
In reference to Desdemona Iago says “when she is sated with his body, she will find the error of her choice” A1 S3
Plays upon the promiscuous stereotype of venetian women
Crafts false hope for Roderigo - D will realise the sin of her marriage after consummation - outlines the potency of Iago’s words - goes against social ideas of female sexuality
Sexualised imagery + obscene language begins to deconstruct the idolised image of faithful Desdemona as sexual immorality in regards to women was feared by men - links back to Eve (reason for humanity’s downfall)
D’s Sexual appetite believable due to religious & social ideals surrounding women and the threat they pose
Bound by virgin - whore dichotomy to protect patriarchy
The male gaze - a form of surveillance - is used too portray D as a fallen woman misogynistic portrayals common at the time e.g. John Fords ‘Tis pity she’s a whore’
Iago ends A1 S3 with The rhyming couplet “I have’t. It is engender’d. Hell and night shall bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light”
- Iago’s inequitable power over the characters in the play whilst illuminating his disdain for Othello
- the phrase “hell and night” foregrounds the concept previously introduced in the play that Iago is akin to the antichrist as he flirts with the possibility of being a satanist
- complex phrasing of “monstrous birth” simultaneously paints Iago as the begetter of evil whilst subverting expected ideas around birth and promise of new life. BUT this hatred fuelled plot may act as a child he will nurture, coddle and eventually introduce to the “worlds light”
In one of his many asides Iago says “with as little a web as this I will ensnare as great a fly as Cassio”
Successfully self fashions ( Greenblatt) as Cassio’s comrade
Proleptically hints to the issue of cassio
- metaphor of a spider “web” - predatory “ensnare” verb - Machiavellian , predacious, arachnidian language/behaviour
- “fly” cassio = a lowly creature despite being of a higher rank, rejects Jacobean hierarchy
- the audience made complicit in his plans he boasts to them
- self aware of his “little status - “little” influence small “web” - OR easy to exploit cassio with a “little” yet effective lie
