Why does Iago want to destroy Othello? Does race play any part in his reasoning?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
AUSTEN'S PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
SHAKESPEARE'S: OTHELLO
JANE AUSTEN
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Contributors
- Amber Isaacs
- ArielPearson
- Brandi Walker
- Caitlin Kelly
- CheyenneCoxwell
- Courtney Mastro
- D. Holmes
- D.Peters
- Dr. Spruell
- EricaVaughn
- Jena Kent
- Jessica Manning
- Joshua Hygema
- Kat
- Katlin Andrews
- Kayla Howell
- Kayla Zobel
- Kelsey.Hicks
- Kyle Bailey
- M. Holland
- Mallory Zobel
- Matt Calloway
- Michael Rivera
- Samantha Davis
- Shelly M
- amber
- autumn
- payton grandquest
Blog Archive
-
▼
2010
(48)
-
▼
April 2010
(30)
- OTHELLO: ACT I COMMENTARY
- OTHELLO: INTRODUCTION
- OTHELLO: SHAKESPEARE
- OTHELLO: SUMMARY
- OTHELLO: KEYS TO READING SHAKESPEARE
- OTHELLO: LIST OF CHARACTERS
- OTHELLO: HISTORICAL CONTEXT
- OTHELLO: ACT I COMMENTARY
- OTHELLO: ACT II COMMENTARY
- OTHELLO: ACT III COMMENTARY
- OTHELLO: ACT IV COMMENTARY
- OTHELLO: ACT V COMMENTARY
- OTHELLO: THE CHARACTER OF OTHELLO
- OTHELLO: CHARACTER OF IAGO
- OTHELLO: THEME OF REPUTATION
- OTHELLO: OVERVIEW
- OTHELLO: JEALOUSY
- OTHELLO: RACE
- OTHELLO: TIME
- OTHELLO: OTHELLO
- OTHELLO: IAGO
- OTHELLO: DESDEMONA
- OTHELLO: SELECTED QUOTES
- OTHELLO SAMPLE ESSAY OUTLINES
- DISCUSSION QUESTION #1
- DISCUSSION QUESTION #2
- DISCUSSION QUESTION #3
- DISCUSSION QUESTION #4
- DISCUSSION QUESTION #5
- DISCUSSION QUESTION #6
-
▼
April 2010
(30)
From what I have read Iago may have many reasons for destroying Othello.
ReplyDelete• Othello gave Cassio a position that Iago had wanted and had felt entitled to because of his experience.
• Iago is a two faced villain who creates chaos for his own enjoyment.
• Iago is very insecure and has admitted in the book that he suspects his wife of adultery with Othello.
Racism may come into play at times in the book, Iago calls Othello names such as thick lips to show that even though Othello is part of Venetian society, he is still different.
Good answer, complete with specific examples from the play :)
ReplyDeleteIago wants to destroy Othello because Iago has never really had any respect for Othello to begin with. From the beginning, Iago has tried to cause problems, an example of this was when he disturbed Branbanito in the middle of the night just to inform him of Othello and Desdemona's eloping. He always revealed just enough information so that the people trusted him, but the bit he did reveal always brought about suspicion of others. Not only was he sly however, he was also jealous. He turned Cassio against Othello merely because he was jealous of the attention and position that Othello gave his right hand man-Cassio. I also agree that race played an important role in his reasoning. For example, in Act 1, Scene 3, line 110, the Duke mentions that they cannot convict Othello for magic based on "thin habits" which is appearances. In that time, just the way one looked could make others believe that that person was inferior or should be destroyed.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Iago wants to destroy Othello because he believes Othello participated in an affair with Emilia(Iago's wife). In addition Iago wants to destroy Othello because Iago has a very manipulative and deceitful character and he finds humor and enjoyment out of others paranoia and misery. Also I believe Iago wants to destroy Othello so that Roderigo may have Othello's wife Desdemona. In Act 1 scene 1 lines 97-101 Brabantio states that he has once told Roderigo not to "haunt" about his doors and that his daughter is not for thee- suggesting that Roderigo desires Desdemona. Race may play an important role in his reasoning just through Iago referring to him as The Moor. Calling Othello The Moor places him as an outsider by giving him a title that no one else has not because of his race but simply because the word Moor means different. This difference is the reason that Iago tries to destroy Othello.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Iago has many reasons for wanting to destroy Othello. Iago expresses a sense of hatred toward Othello because not only did Othello give Cassio a job that Iago felt he was more qualified for, Iago had suspicion that his wife was having an affair with Othello. I believe that in this situation, the fact that Othello was of another race only added to the turmoil and made Iago feel a sense of jealousy toward someone he felt should be lower than himself. Iago allowed his jealousy to take over his thoughts and made it his goal then to ruin anything dealing with Othello.
ReplyDeleteIago wants to destroy Othello because he is jealous over Cassio’s position as lieutenant. Iago is clearly mad at Othello for choosing Cassio over hime. Iago states “ For, ‘Certes’, says he, ‘I have already chose my officer.’ And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, One Michael Cassio…that never set a squadron in the field…” Iago believes that he is better qualified for the job and tries to find all the things wrong with Cassio. Iago also seems to get a sort of delight in seeing the demise of others. He takes great pleasure in finding ways to hurt Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. Most likely, race does play a part in his reasoning. Maybe Iago feels superior to Othello and doesn’t think Othello should have any authority over him because he is black. Iago may distrust or dislike Othello’s decision for his lieutenant merely because he is a different race.
ReplyDeleteIago wants to destroy Othello because Othello was given the lieutenant position that Iago wanted. Iago felt that Othello didn’t deserve that high leadership position and therefore began plotting to take him down. Although the surface may show that Iago is jealous of Othello’s position, deep down the main reason for Iago’s discontent with Othello has to do with Othello’s race. Iago feels that because he is white, he ought to be superior to Othello. It pains Iago to take orders from a black man because he doesn’t believe he should.
ReplyDeleteIago wants to destroy Othello because he is mad that he chose Cassio as the lead general and not himself. He also is mad because he claims that Othello slept with his wife, Emeila. The black role also is a part. Throughout the story he is constantly making black jokes about Othello.
ReplyDeleteIago wants to destroy Othello partially because Othello passed Iago as lieutenant and instead chose Michael Cassio. Iago is a revengeful character who feeds off of deceit. He realizes that Othello, a moor, plans on marrying Desdemona who is Brabontio�s daughter. Brabontio is outraged that his family is being shamed. Race plays a prominent role in Iago�s plan to destroy Othello. Not only does Iago want to destroy Othello by having Brabontio seek to kill him, but also Iago wants to ruin the relationship between Desdemona and Othello. Iago plots to betray Othello by convincing him that his wife is having an affair with Cassio. Othello is suaded that she is because Desdemona pleads for Othello to let Cassio keep his job.
ReplyDeleteI think Iago wants to destroy Othello for multiple reasons. Iago is jealous of Cassio being a lieutenant, so he is mad at Othello for choosing Cassio. Iago thinks he's better for the job than Cassio and tries to find things wrong with Him. He also claims that Othello slept with his wife, which would anger anyone. Othello being black also plays a part in Iago's dislike towards him.
ReplyDeleteIago wants to destroy Othello for not just one but many reasons. Iago throughout the whole play has to hear black jokes so race does play a part but its not just that, Iago believes that his wife is having and affair with Othello. Iago also was very jealous of the fact that a job was given to cassio instead of him, Iago believed he was was better for.
ReplyDeleteIago has many reasons in his mind to destroy Othello. A big reason is because Othello is black, in Iago's opinion an "inferior race". However, Iago is also jealous that he got passed up for a job that was given to Michael Cassio instead. In turn, he uses Cassio against Othello to destroy him. There is also the fact that Iago thinks that his wife is cheating on him with Othello. All of these reasons combined make up why Iago wants to destroy Othello.
ReplyDeleteIago wants to destory Othello for other reasons than just his race. Iago is angry when Othello gives Cassio the position that he feels he is more qualified for. Also, Iago suspects that his wife, Emilia, is cheating on him with Othello. Iago's pride is hurt by both of these situations, and that just adds to Iago's sinister nature. I agree with Kelsey that although Othello's race wasn't that main reaon Iago wanted to destory him, once Iago developed a hatred for Othello his race just made him hate him even more because he felt superior to him.
ReplyDeleteIago wants to destroy Othello because Othello gave Cassio the lieutenant position that Iago wanted. Iago felt betrayed by Othello because he thought Othello was better friends with him than Cassio. Yes, race does play a part in Iago’s hatred for Othello, but only as an added factor. Race was not the main reason for Iago's hatred of Othello. Iago was just terribly jealous and that led to his manipulation and hatred for Othello.
ReplyDelete