Iago As An Antithetical Hero In Shakespeare's Othello
SOOMA Page 1 3/4/2014
Iago; an Antithetical Hero
“The battleline between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.” (Solzhenitsyn A)1
In this research paper I have tried to analyze the negative change in human personality, with special reference to one of William Shakespeare’s characters. Iago in the play Othello is portrayed as a villain, evil and the cause of the tragedy. He is a duplicitous character, honest and kind on the outside, but evil and malignant on the inside. This is what others say about Iago, what I believe is that in every human being a hero and a villain is living simultaneously. It depends on his will, his thought, his intention and most importantly on his circumstances that a hero wins, …show more content…
A little later, after Iago gives an account of the fight, Othello comments: "I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio" (II. iii.L:246-248).
His words clearly show that Iago is so loyal to his friend Cassio that he has shaded the story to make Cassio appear in a better light. However, Othello is not angry at Iago for doing what any friend would do; he is angry at Cassio and fires him on the spot. Cassio says;
“Reputation, reputation, reputation!
Oh, I have lost my reputation!
I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!” (II. iii. P:12)
Cassio moans that his reputation has been ruined, and Iago …show more content…
All the other characters in play give a good opinion and thought about Iago only because of the goodness in him. If he plots against some of the other characters it is because he feels that they are responsible for snatching the merriment of his life. They are not giving him his due
Iago; an Antithetical Hero
“The battleline between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.” (Solzhenitsyn A)1
In this research paper I have tried to analyze the negative change in human personality, with special reference to one of William Shakespeare’s characters. Iago in the play Othello is portrayed as a villain, evil and the cause of the tragedy. He is a duplicitous character, honest and kind on the outside, but evil and malignant on the inside. This is what others say about Iago, what I believe is that in every human being a hero and a villain is living simultaneously. It depends on his will, his thought, his intention and most importantly on his circumstances that a hero wins, …show more content…
A little later, after Iago gives an account of the fight, Othello comments: "I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio" (II. iii.L:246-248).
His words clearly show that Iago is so loyal to his friend Cassio that he has shaded the story to make Cassio appear in a better light. However, Othello is not angry at Iago for doing what any friend would do; he is angry at Cassio and fires him on the spot. Cassio says;
“Reputation, reputation, reputation!
Oh, I have lost my reputation!
I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!” (II. iii. P:12)
Cassio moans that his reputation has been ruined, and Iago …show more content…
All the other characters in play give a good opinion and thought about Iago only because of the goodness in him. If he plots against some of the other characters it is because he feels that they are responsible for snatching the merriment of his life. They are not giving him his due