Who.Is.The.Real.Iago

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** WHO IS THE REAL IAGO? ** **by Dario Napodano** So...who is the Real Iago?

0) Who is Iago?
 * Iago is an ancient who plays standard bearer during battle (carries flag)
 * Iago is a Spanish name
 * Gets more lines than Othello (1097 VS 887)
 * Interacts with all the characters

1) Describe how do you feel about Iago.
 * Diabolical
 * Manipulates all the characters in the play
 * Expresses the duality of someone’s psychology

2) Why is Iago interesting or attractive to some students?
 * Evil has been considered more fascinating in literature
 * Evil=individuality, excitement, passion
 * Evil=drama
 * Iago is intelligent, Satanic and diabolical
 * Sense of humor --> wins the audience
 * Witty too
 * Unresponsiveness make him a tough person
 * “Demand me nothing, what you know, you know. From this time forth, I will not speak a word” (Act V, scene 2, pg.140).

3) Has Iago always been the way he is at the start of the play, or did something provoke him to behave differently?
 * Probably Iago sad because Cassio lieutenant
 * No evidence saying that he always hated Othello…
 * ...but also none to suggest he hasn’t.
 * Ambiguous, concealed topic in the play.
 * Most likely doubt.
 * “Thus do I ever make a fool my purse” (Act 1, scene 3, pg. 27)

4) Why do you think Othello does not make Iago his lieutenant?
 * Iago apparently worked a long time with Othello
 * Iago expected promotion
 * Maybe Othello does not consider Iago as a gentleman
 * Cassio fits in more with the class of Desdemona and alikes
 * Cassio was also a go-between for Othello and Desdemona
 * Cassio ---> more personal choice for Othello

5) Why do you think Othello becomes dependent on Iago?
 * Othello moves to Iago cuz Cassio blew it.
 * Othello trusts Iago.
 * Iago manipulates Othello in an emotional and psychological way.
 * Othello considers Iago as a soulmate
 * Othello signs a deed with the devil.
 * “I am your own for ever” (by Iago Act 3, scene 3, page 78).

6) Why do you think Iago has such a low opinion on women?
 * Makes sexy comments (like on the harbour scene, Act 2, scene 1, talks about sex in limerick)
 * Thinks women do not have the right to know or speak.
 * Sexy comments ---> only interested in lust
 * Hates courtesans for selling their body for food and clothes
 * Regards women as objects
 * Low opinion of women = proud of manly life

7) Iago’s reasons for hating the main characters. Who is his primary target?
 * “His thwarted sense of superiority wants satisfaction” Bradley sez.
 * He makes his superior subdued by him.
 * He mainly hates Othello (racism, him being status superior) but also Desdemona (mysoginistic) and Cassio (lieutenant)
 * In the end hates everyone that get in the way of destroying his plan.

8) Iago is 28. Surprise, surprise. Why do you think this is? How old did you imagine he was, and why?
 * “I have looked upon the world for four times seven years” (Act 1, scene 3, pg.25)
 * Strange to see how one so young could be so cynical and diabolic.
 * Iago’s youth seems unnatural.
 * Make him look more strange, since he’s young and he has such a view on women and superiors.
 * Make him a more powerful bad guy, but maybe not too believable.

9) Why does Iago use gardening imagery?
 * Act 1, Scene 3, pg.25, 316.
 * Act 2, Scene 3, pg. 55, 354 (Fruits that blossom first will first be ripe)
 * Act 3, Scene 3, pg.76, 424.
 * Survival of the fittest ideology
 * He is a gardener, because he plants the seed of Othello’s mental destruction.

10) Iago’s greatest feat is to get Othello and the audience to see things through his eyes. How does he succeed in transferring his world view to others?
 * Iago has a lot of opportunities to pursue the audience (breaks the fourth wall at time to express his thoughts)
 * He believes that nothing is what it really is: white is black, nature is unnatural, nobility is foolishness.
 * Expresses duality by doing things he likes and things he hates.
 * Shows reality; how nothing is perfect, not even love.
 * Iago motivates all the character’s through his imagination.
 * His imagination is the engine, the fuel, the juice for the play.

11) It would be possible to describe Iago with the fixed epither ‘lucky’ rather than ‘honest’. List all the examples you can think of where chance seems to be working on his side.
 * Cassio sneaking out of Desdemona’s room.
 * Emilia finding the handkerchief
 * Bianca returning handkerchief while Othello is watching.

12) Do you feel that Iago loses the plot and sight of his original intentions?
 * Iago’s plans become more malignant as the play progresses
 * He might have failed: Cassio did not die, if Emilia had arrived on time no one would have died:
 * Plans might have gone out of control, but his silence at the end of the play puts him in a position of power.

13) Iago refuses to show repetance at the end of the play. His last words are “Demand me nothing, what you know, you know. From this time forth, I will not speak a word”. How do you interpret his final attitude and utterance?
 * No regret...nothing to say.
 * Either he realizes there are no explanations or he realizes it’s a matter of circumstance if the characters did what they did.
 * Inhuman self command.

14) It is a rule of traged that nothing is in doubt and everyone’s destiny is known in the final moments, but at the end of Othello, Iago is still alive and defiant, unlike the villains in the major tragedies. Why does Shakespeare allow Iago to live.
 * Iago will probably be punished anyway.
 * Might be tortured.
 * Or might escape from his tortures cuz hes smart.
 * Iago=invincible force of evil which can be defeated, but never exterminated. “I bleed sir, but not killed” Act V, scene 2, pg.139, 286.
 * Being the devil, he can’t kill him…

15) What can be said in Iago’s favour or defence?
 * Iago decides to ally himself to evil other than good.
 * He decides not to accept his fate.
 * No such thing as good.
 * It’s also what Satan chose.
 * Iago=spirit of democracy fighting against a corrupt system of privilege and complacency.
 * Maybe Iago changed…like white turning black.
 * Iago might be a victim of class prejudice, deprived by beauty. As bullied becomes bullies in return, then he may be passing on his own unjust suffering.