Othello - notes
1. Iago's motive for desiring the destruction of Othello:
A few possible reasons for his motive:
i‚· Loves evil for his own sake
i‚· Stem from a thwarted desire for Desdemona
i‚· Jealousy of Cassio's position to the rank of Lieutenant - and hatred for Othello for making that promotion
i‚· Belief, or suspicion, that both Othello and Cassio have seduced Emilia, his wife
i‚· Stem from colour and race prejudice
i‚· Envy of high social position and power
Kenneth Muir-Penguin edition
"The main theme is the way in which a jealous villain - though apparently honest - succeeds in infecting an essentially noble man with his own jealousy; and in so doing, drags him down to his own level.""
# Above all - Iago's exploits his own knowledge that there is very often a vast difference between what appears to be the truth and what is really the truth. ( appearing truth and real truth = very thin line)
2. Othello
i‚· Genuine qualities vs. bombastic egoist
i‚· Primarily a soldier = sense of honour
i‚· Conflict within himself (stems from the fact that he is not accustomed to the subtle and sophisticated values of civilised' Venice)
i‚· Conflict that in compounded by the fact that although he is a Christian he stills retains elements of a pagan nature.
i‚· Dignified self-control ~ degenerates ~ surrender to uncontrolled passion.
i‚· Essential feature of his character is passion
i‚· Essential feature of passion = knows no bounds or moderation = drives a man to extreme action.
i‚· His passion came out in JEALOUSY
i‚· No cause for his jealousy = tenders his tragedy all the more cruelly ironic and intense.
i‚· He loved Desdemona till the end
i‚· IRONIC = he believed he is cleaning h...