Shakespeare's Othello - Iago's Deception as a Catalyst... not simply as a conventional "scoundrel" character. Iago's devious plans destroy lives both literally and figuratively, but can also serve to reveal the character of others in intricate ways. A critical interpretation of Iago reveals that, although he is primarily a deceiver, he is also a dramatic agent of truth. Although his acts are malicious and deceptive, the title "honest Iago" is appropriate in the sense that it reveals the true nature of his victims, as well as the propensity of human beings to act in accordance with their inherently dark nature. Although based in deception, Iago's machinations expose the truth about Brabantio's hidden racism, Cassio's inner vanity, and Othello's repressed sexual possessiveness. Iago cleverly highlights the issue of race and its association with devilry when he and Roderigo announce to Brabantio that Desdemona has eloped with Othello. . Iago is the first to emphasize the biracial nature of the marriage by referring to Othello as an "old black ram" and Desdemona as a "white sheep" (1.1.85-86).1 Iago then associates Othello with the image of "the devil" (88) because he is black, warning Brabantio that he has "lost half [his] soul" (84) now that Desdemona is married to Othello. It is Iago who initially suggests that Othello exemplifies the stereotype that a black person is inherently evil and likely a practitioner of witchcraft. Of course, Iago's few brief statements are unlikely to make Brabantio appear racist; however, tormenting Brabantio's thoughts with dialogue that fuels his natural tendency to... middle of paper ......the ability to perceive Iago fully is the natural human tendency to deny what is repugnant in our own nature , and find scapegoats to blame for our darkest sides. As a conventional villain, Iago becomes an easy scapegoat; we blame the moral failures of others on his ability to manipulate and deceive. However, as an agent of truth, Iago's most significant revelation is that we tend to deny the reality that, as human beings, we all possess the propensity to judge what is alien to us in a racist way, to think too highly of ourselves, or to being sexually motivated and possessive. Indeed, Iago has the "last laugh" in being "honest Iago" as an agent of truth, as he manipulates not only the characters, but also the audience. Note 1. All references to Othello are from the Signet Classic Edition (New York: Penguin, 1998).

Topic > Shakespeare's Othello - Iago's Deception as a Catalyst... not simply as a conventional "scoundrel" character. Iago's devious plans destroy lives both literally and figuratively, but can also serve to reveal the character of others in intricate ways. A critical interpretation of Iago reveals that, although he is primarily a deceiver, he is also a dramatic agent of truth. Although his acts are malicious and deceptive, the title "honest Iago" is appropriate in the sense that it reveals the true nature of his victims, as well as the propensity of human beings to act in accordance with their inherently dark nature. Although based in deception, Iago's machinations expose the truth about Brabantio's hidden racism, Cassio's inner vanity, and Othello's repressed sexual possessiveness. Iago cleverly highlights the issue of race and its association with devilry when he and Roderigo announce to Brabantio that Desdemona has eloped with Othello. . Iago is the first to emphasize the biracial nature of the marriage by referring to Othello as an "old black ram" and Desdemona as a "white sheep" (1.1.85-86).1 Iago then associates Othello with the image of "the devil" (88) because he is black, warning Brabantio that he has "lost half [his] soul" (84) now that Desdemona is married to Othello. It is Iago who initially suggests that Othello exemplifies the stereotype that a black person is inherently evil and likely a practitioner of witchcraft. Of course, Iago's few brief statements are unlikely to make Brabantio appear racist; however, tormenting Brabantio's thoughts with dialogue that fuels his natural tendency to... middle of paper ......the ability to perceive Iago fully is the natural human tendency to deny what is repugnant in our own nature , and find scapegoats to blame for our darkest sides. As a conventional villain, Iago becomes an easy scapegoat; we blame the moral failures of others on his ability to manipulate and deceive. However, as an agent of truth, Iago's most significant revelation is that we tend to deny the reality that, as human beings, we all possess the propensity to judge what is alien to us in a racist way, to think too highly of ourselves, or to being sexually motivated and possessive. Indeed, Iago has the "last laugh" in being "honest Iago" as an agent of truth, as he manipulates not only the characters, but also the audience. Note 1. All references to Othello are from the Signet Classic Edition (New York: Penguin, 1998).