Othello - Battle of Good vs. Evil

"I am not what I am." What is Iago? -- as distinct from what he pretends to be -- and what are his motives?

In Shakespeare's, Othello, the reader is presented the classic battle between the deceitful forces of evil and the innocence of good.

It are these forces of evil that ultimately lead to the breakdown of

Othello, a noble venetian moor, well-known by the people of Venice as

a honourable soldier and a worthy leader. Othello's breakdown results

in the muder of his wife Desdemona. Desdemona is representative of

the good in nature. Good can be defined as forgiving, honest,

innocent and unsuspecting. The evil contained within Othello is by no

means magical or mythical yet is represented by the character Iago.

Iago is cunning, untrustworthy, selfish, and plotting. He uses these

traits to his advantage by slowly planning his own triumph while

watching the demise of others.

From the Library of Congress: TITLE: Thos. W. Keen...

English: Photographic full-length portrait of Edwi...

Illustration of Othello and Iago

It is this that is Iago's motivation.

The ultimate defeat of good by the wrath of evil. Not only is it in

his own nature of evil that he suceeds but also in the weaknesses of

the other characters. Iago uses the weaknesses of Othello,

specifically jealousy and his devotion to things as they seem, to

conquer his opposite in Desdemona. From the start of the play, Iago's

scheming ability is shown when he convinces Roderigo to tell about

Othello and Desdemonda's elopement to Desdemona's father, Brabantio.

Confidentally Iago continues his plot successfully, making fools of

others, and himself being rewarded. Except Roderigo, no one is aware

of Iago's plans. This is because Iago pretends to be an honest man

loyal to his superiors. The fact that Othello himself views Iago as

trustworthy and honest gives the evil within Iago a...