Iagos soliloquy at the end of Act 1 Essay Example for Free

Iagos soliloquy at the end of Act 1 Essay Iagos soliloquy at the end of Act 1; what does his language tell us about his character and motivation? How does it compare with his language in the rest of the act? Iago seems to be presented as a Machiavellian villain; he is cunning and always seems to know whats going to happen. In Iagos soliloquy at the end of Act 1 Scene3, he says of Roderigo thus do I ever make my fool my purse. This conveys Iagos character as superior and manipulative. Iago states that Roderigo is a fool; a stupid moron. He also calls him a snipe which is a small bird which also is used to mean unintellegent. Iago refers to Roderigo possessively, referring to him as my fool as if the extent of his own influence makes Roderigo his own possession (as with my purse; purse being an object that is owned). By saying I even make Iago is implying that manipulating a fool for their money is a usual activity for him, as if he always does this. Iago holds such little respect for Roderigo and feels himself so superior that he should profane if [he] time expend with such But for [his] sport and profit. Hes claiming that Roderigo is so beneath him that it is only for the money (profit) and the game he plays with the characters (sport) that hed ever bother wasting his time with such an idiot. This seems to be revealing of Iagos attitude toward social classes. Just because another character is richer or has higher social standing this does not mean that he has any extra respect for them. Taking into account that England in the Elizabethan era worked with strict social classes I think that Shakespeare uses Iagos lack of respect for the system as another way of demonising him. He is the villain because he believes himself to be superior to everyone else. Iago is Othellos ancient. However, Iago obviously feels he is superior to his master. Iago likens Othello to a donkey; a dull, stupid animal. Iago says Othello will be led by th nose. As asses are. Asses, or donkeys, are literally led by the nose with a harness. Might the harness be the society they are both part of? This implies that Othello is not free. It implies that he is tamed, obedient, dependent and without a mind of his own. It is Iagos intention to use this harness to lead Othello to his ruin. In act 1 scene 1 Iago reveals his views on the roles of master and servant (in his case ancient) to Roderigo. Iagos opinions show his perceived superiority in his character. Iago says how there are many a duteous and knee crooking knave thatwears out his time, much like his masters ass. He is saying that the dutiful are knee crooking, meaning that they bow down, accepting their inferiority. To say that a subordinate wears out his time much like his masters ass shows how he feels that they waste their lives being anothers workhorse while receiving none of the profits. In this respect Iago feels himself above Othello. By later referring to Othello as an ass he could be the knee crooking knave to the governors of Venice. This is what I feel is supposed to be conveyed by the line: were I the Moor, I would not be Iago. Iago is resentful of the lack of recognition he has received from his society. I would say that Iago has motivation against his society. He misses out on promotion and Cassio takes the position. He resents Cassio for being better educated and of higher social standing. From scene 1 Iago says I know my price, I am worth no worse a place when telling Roderigo of being passed over for promotion. I think that Shakespeare has Iago say this because hes supposed to be resentful of the lack of recognition hes received. By saying I know my price he is also saying that no-one else perceives his worth. Iago mentions that Cassio is a Florentine while disrespectfully describing him. That Shakespeare has Iago mention this means that it is relevant. Perhaps that Iago disapproves of a Florentine being promoted in a Venetian army shows he has a kind of respect for the society hes in. If he is ambitious then he is ambitious toward the higher roles/accomplishments of his own society; Venice. Iago may also feel he has not been duly acknowledged for the fighting he has done for the causes of Venice at Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds Christian and Heathen. By not being advanced he may have felt the sacrifices he made were not appreciated, as if hed been cheated, which may explain why he cheats so much in the conventions of his society. Iago is presented as being a very effective user of language. He seems to know exactly the right language to use in order to affect the decisions of the other characters. When bating Brabantio he uses course language about his family to infuriate him. Instead of merely informing Brabantio of his daughters whereabouts and who she is with Iago tells him that your daughter and the moor are now making the beast with two backs. Making the beast with two backs is a crude euphemism for having sex. Beast implies that the sex is ugly and savage. Iago uses the word moor instead of his name, Othello, to bring attention to his race as opposed to his high rank and standing in Venice. Iago knows how to offend. He immediately starts referring to Brabantios family in animal terms; youll have your nephews neigh to you; youll have coursers for cousins and jennets for germans. In the Elizabethan era it was probably a taboo to have a mixed race marriage probably because people of African origins would have been considered inferior. This is a reason why Iago refers to Othello as a horse (coursers for cousins). As a further example of Iagos ability to alarm through his seemingly perverted perception would be youll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse. Iago alarms him by conjuring bestial imagery. Bestiality is sacrilegious, which a few hundred years ago was more important than it is now. Perhaps this sacrilegious imagery influenced Brabantio to rationalise his daughters behaviour as witchcraft. Shakespeare presents Iago as an effective liar. This must be the case as Othello refers to him in Act one as Honest Iago. He also describes him as a man he is of honesty and trust. Despite Iago keeping Roderigos presents to Desdemona for himself he still can convince him of his trustworthiness. When reassuring Roderigo he says I have professed me thy friend, and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness. By claiming that he is Roderigos professed friend and that hes prepared to help him with everlasting strength he convinces of his honesty. Iago also successfully manipulates Roderigo by repeatedly suggesting (instructing really) to put money in thy purse so as he can take it from him. Iago repeats this six times. Iago also convinces Roderigo to do his biddings by distracting him with his philosophies; Our bodies are our gardens, to which are wills are gardeners. In this speech Iago basically turns Roderigos loss into his own gain.