othello
Question 1.) Consider the role of Iago or Othello throughout this production. Briefly describe the character and explain how at least two of the theatrical elements mentioned above are used to portray this character. Othello's Iago is a fascinating character because of the pure evil, which drives all of the decisions he makes. His deceptiveness and manipulation are demonstrated throughout the play, not only through dialogue, but also with the use of theatrical elements. Stage movement, and physical interactions and characterization help to present the true nature of Iago and allow the audience to more completely understand the motivations of the character. Iago is the ensign to Othello who is the general of the armies of Venice. Iago's main interest is the destruction of Othello because Othello has chosen another man, Cassio, as his lieutenant, instead of Iago. This resentment, along with Iago's belief that Othello is sleeping with his wife Emilia, causes Iago to hate Othello and conspire against him. Iago is consumed with jealousy and anger and deceives, steals, and kills in order to gain the position he feels he most justly deserves. In his scheme to eliminate Cassio and destroy Othello, Iago manipulates R
This is a clear example of Iago's ability to set up the destruction of others while maintaining his own innocence. In a second soliloquy, he tells the audience that he has advised Cassio to appeal to Desdemona's kindheartedness after his dismissal from service with full knowledge that this will only further infuriate Othello. Cassio, like Roderigo, blindly follows Iago, believing that Iago is trying to aid him. When Roderigo fails in his task, Iago comes out of the shadows and stabs Cassio and kills Roderigo in the darkness. Iago then convincingly promises allegiance to Othello in Cassio's destruction. There is no guilt expressed by Iago as he draws the audience into his plans, and this particular method of displaying the character's evilness is particularly powerful. In his first soliloquy, he announces to the audience that eliminating Cassio is the first important step in his plan to destroy Othello. In reality, Iago is motivated by his lust for power and is attempting to rob Cassio of his position as lieutenant. Iago's villainous and deceptive nature is clearly illustrated by stage movement in two specific examples. The extent of his evilness is made clear, as he shamelessly moves across the stage during his soliloquies announcing his diabolical plans to the audience, and kneels with his enemy, Othello, pledging his support. His treacherous mastery comes in his ability to use people for his own purposes while maintaining a facade of honesty, which is believed by those close to him. In each of the speeches, Iago is alone on the stage as he methodically and calculatingly maps out his plan for Othello's destruction. The evilness of Iago again comes through as he stabs and kills his own wife because she no longer serves any purpose and has become a liability. Iago physically positions Roderigo to ambush Cassio with a sword. Iago kneels beside Othello and solemnly promises that he will wholeheartedly join his master in this endeavor.
Common topics in this essay:
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