Iago

A detailed Summary of Iago

Iago in Shakespeare's Othello displays certain deceitful characteristics that parallel the conniving ways of the serpent Satan in the book of Genesis. In Act III scene iii, Iago Guarantees Othello's downfall just as Adam and Eve's demise was guaranteed by Satan. The magnitude of Iago's trickery is only comparable with the schemes of the devil. Similar to Satan cunning to convince Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge, Iago uses his skill, insight, and wit to arouse suspicion and to encourage its manifestation in Othello's mind. And after consuming the fruit, Othello believes without a doubt that his wife has been unfaithful to him.

Act III scene iii is often referred to as the "temptation scene" (Champion, 4) due to the devilish manner which Iago persuades Othello. The beginning of this scene opens at the garden of the Cyprian castle and coincidentally, Satan and Iago are seen in beautiful gardens and Iago's delight is observed when he says, "Though I perchance am vicious in my guess; As I confess it is my nature's plague to spy into abuses, and my jealousy / Shapes faults that are not..." (Shakespeare III,iii,145-148) With that quote, Iago's perverse character is clearly visible and can easily be associated with the devil

e a fairy tale. Desdemona would spark the fire of love within the moor rather than that of jealousy. However, it is Iago's interference that acts as the impetus for Othello's rage which ultimately leads to Desdemona's death.

In the beginning of Act III scene iii, Iago avoids any reference to Desdemona while subtly planting the seeds of suspicion against Cassio in Othello's mind. He uses Othello's jealousy to his advantage which enables him to manipulate circumstances around him to fit his needs. However, Iago is not the only that causes Othello to become wary of Desdemona's fidelity. Desdemona's efforts to assist cassio were in vain; in fact, she wrote her own tombstone by seemingly consorting with the enemy, Othello's enemy. Great tension builds as dramatic irony unfolds. The audience knows that Desdemona helps Cassio out of friendship, yet Iago's deceitful words provoke Othello to think otherwise. She sees no villainy in Cassio's face, she says; Cassio "errs in ignorance and not in cunning," (Shakespeare III,iii,49) however Iago is "a man who certainly errs - at least morally - in this own cunning". (McManaway 124) Without the meddling of Iago, the tragedy Othello may just as well have becom!

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to attribute devotion and regard for Othello after having spoken. "When we hear the Moor say, 'I am

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Approximate Word count = 932
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English