Iago doesn't use weapons or brute strength to get what he wants, oh no, he's too good for that. Instead, Iago is a master of speech, and surely doesn't "need to review [his] literary terms" (Ms. Serensky).
(Othello and Iago)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The Villain of Villains
Othello has to be, without a doubt, my most favorite work of literature that we've read all year. Everything Matters! is definitely a close second, but a specific character caused me to choose Othello instead. Iago is one of my favorite characters out of any literature I've read throughout my life, and this may seem confusing. Isn't he the villain? Aren't we supposed to hate him? This is true, and I do hate him, but that's also why he's a favorite. Shakespeare wrote his character so perfectly, and created a character that we could all despise, but commend at the same time. His quotes are so memorable that I didn't need to specifically study some of them, because I could remember them off the top of my head. The statement that "we cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed" (1.1.40-41) still remains a relevant quote that I use often in essays. Iago was able to sway the opinions and emotions of everyone around him with a couple simple words. This man could even make himself out to be a victim! "To be direct and honest is not safe. I thank you for this profit, and from hence I'll love no friend, sith love breeds such offense" (3.3.375-377). That is a true talent, to be able to completely turn the tables and seem as though he is the one who is being accosted. He never used violence to convince a person, and just smooth-talked his way into the puppeteer-like position he attained by tricking everyone. Almost every single step was planned, and I was amazed by his cunning. Even in the end, Iago manages to keep his cool as he tells them that "What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak word" (5.2.299-300). That level-headed attitude, even after being exposed for the villain he truly is, makes me cringe. Sure, I still hate him for being such a jerk, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the genius that is his character. In my opinion, he is one of the top villains in any piece of literature.
Iago doesn't use weapons or brute strength to get what he wants, oh no, he's too good for that. Instead, Iago is a master of speech, and surely doesn't "need to review [his] literary terms" (Ms. Serensky).
Iago doesn't use weapons or brute strength to get what he wants, oh no, he's too good for that. Instead, Iago is a master of speech, and surely doesn't "need to review [his] literary terms" (Ms. Serensky).
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I actually completely agree. He is one of my favorite villains. I can never forget the line: "My med'cine works! Thus credulous fools are caught!" He is unlike villains such as Voldemort, from Harry Potter. Voldemort inspires pure hatred because he kills based on innocence and good, but Iago harms other based on their own personal sin. Although I disliked Iago throughout the book, it is hard to say whether the true cause of the conflicts was his lies or everyone else's greed, ignorance, and jealousy.
ReplyDeleteHello Marc! I loved reading your blog- it reminded me how much I enjoyed Othello! Although Iago did some fairly nasty things throughout the play, I couldn’t help but love him too- it seems that, in many pieces of literature, the most flawed characters are the most likeable. Whether they be villains like Iago, utterly stupid like the characters in The Importance of Being Earnest, or rebellious like in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, characters with faults are much more entertaining to read about than more normal people.
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