<p>This is an essay on Shakespeare’s Othello. My teacher says that I use too much summary and not enough critical analysis. Please grade my essay. Thanks</p>
<p>Iago is clearly the most complex character in Shakespeares Othello. In the beginning of the play one is introduced to Iagos cunning, mendacious, and accusatory personality. As the play progresses, one realizes that Iago has no conscience; he is the epitome of an amoral person. Iago is the villainous monster in Othello because he enjoys manipulating peoples lives, he deceives his closest friend and his wife, and he shows no compunction when his scheme is exposed.
Usually characters do bad things because they have clear reasons to do so. However, Iago does not have any overt reason to ruin the lives of Othello, Cassio, Desdemona, and Roderigo. Lago provides some information that could explain his actions; he claims to be angry at Othello and Cassio because Othello promoted Cassio to lieutenant instead of him and he claims that Othello slept with his wife when he says: And it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets and has done my office (I, iii, 430). However, these events would not make a person mad to the point where the person ruins other peoples lives. Thus, one can conclude that these two events are vague reasons for Iagos crime and that Iago must have some other hidden motive. This motive is revealed when Iago continues to damage the lives of the characters by convincing Othello of the need to kill Desdemona and Cassio after already achieving his initial goal of firing Cassio and convincing Othello that his wife is cheating on him with Cassio. The fact that Iago continues to damage the characters lives indicates that he actually enjoys manipulating peoples lives. He so enjoys manipulating peoples lives that he uses it as a motive to ruin the lives of the characters in Othello. No normal person would have enjoyment as a motive to destroy peoples lives. Only a villainous monster would enjoy manipulating peoples lives to the point of destruction.
Iago is not only adept at deceiving acquaintances, but he is also adept at deceiving his closest friend and his wife. lago uses his best friend Roderigo as a minion who performs tasks that Iago wants to him to do. This is significant because it shows that Iago only makes friends so that he can use them to help carry out his depraved plans. Iago does not give minor tasks to Roderigo. In fact, he gives tasks that could potentially jeopardize Roderigos life; he gives Roderigo the task of putting Cassio to death (IV, iii, 273). The fact that Iago is willing to risk his friends life for his own ends indicates that Iago is monstrous. Obviously, no normal person would deceive his friend into killing someone. Iago also implicates his wife in his plan by making her steal Othellos handkerchief. Iago shows no respect for his wife whatsoever because he is willing to make his wife commit crimes for his own ends. Clearly, Iagos monstrous and villainous qualities are evident in his treatment of his friend and his wife.
Fortunately, Iago is ultimately exposed and he is forced to atone for his actions. Iagos behavior after he gets exposed reveals important information about Iago. The fact that Iago continued to lie even after being exposed confirms that Iago was a pathological liar. Even though lago knows that he will get tortured if he continues to lie, he says from this time forth I will never speak word (V, ii, 356). This is crucial because it shows lagos lack of guilt. lago does not care what happens to him as long as he does not claim responsibility. It is unbelievable that lago refuses to claim any responsibility after witnessing the magnitude of destruction caused by his actions. He is so monstrous that he believes he did nothing wrong even though he was directly responsible for the deaths of 4 people. The fact that Iago kills Emilia after she exposes him is equally disturbing. Clearly, Iago killed Emilia out of spite because killing Emilia would not help Iagos case. The end of the play is symbolic of Lagos character. Just as the play is consummated, Lagos character is consummated and in this consummation, lago is finally revealed as the true villainous monster he is.
The play Othello shows that some people who are perceived as honest can actually be wicked. Iago was perceived as the quintessence of honesty; Othello always However, it became revealed that Iago was actually the embodiment of evil and a villainous monster. The change in perception of Iago attests to his complexity as a character in Othello.</p>