Grace Masters
Analyzing Iago’s soliloquy
1. Explain why this soliloquy is significant (consider theme, characters and
dramatic effect).
This soliloquy is extremely significant considering that Iago is presenting his
audience with cunning scheme in destroying the main characters of the play,
Rodrigo, Cassio, Othello, and even including his wife and Desdemona. It is also very
important as Iago exploits his direct opinions on each of these characters, which
uncovers his true colors and personality.
2. There are some features in this speech that emulate spontaneous speech.
Highlight three and comment on their effects.
1.
2.
3.
“And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets he’s done my office.”
This is a very significant piece of information that Iago presents to
the audience as he is suggesting that Othello has slept with his wife.
This is also noteworthy as Iago later explains how, even though this
rumor has not been verified, Iago still plans to use this rumor as a
motivation in destroying Othello and, therefore, aiding his overall,
cunning plan.
“After some time to abuse Othello’s ear that he is too familiar with
his wife…” Iago plans to gradually and continually plant lies and
rumors about his Desdemona being deceitful and unfaithful with
other men, such as Cassio. This quote, in effect exploits specifically
Iago plans to break Othello, by causing Othello to become jealous
which will become too much for him to handle.
“Tenderly be led by th’ nose as asses are…” In this quote, Iago is
referring to Othello and stating, in very derogative terms, how easy
it will be to deceive him. Iago knows that Othello has a weakness in
being a person of “free and open nature that thinks men honest that
but seem to be so…” By knowing this, Iago knows that all he has to
do is pretend that he is “honest” and loyal to Othello and in return
Othello will believe anything Iago tells him. Who wouldn’t trust
“honest” Iago? This quote is also very significant as Iago compares
Othello to an ass, which especially during Shakespearean time,
referring someone to an animal was by far very demeaning and
insulting.
3. What is Iago’s attitude towards Rodrigo? Find evidence for your statement
and then write a short paragraph explaining and analyzing it.
Iago refers to Rodrigo as a “fool” and a “snipe” in his soliloquy. He makes it
very clear that he does not enjoy associating with Rodrigo but, as Rodrigo serves to
be very useful in Iago plans, Iago expresses that he will make the best of it by
extracting whatever he can out of Rodrigo, for example, his money. “Make the fool
my purse…if I would time expend with such a snipe but for my sport and profit.”
4. What is Iago’s attitude towards Othello? Again, find evidence for your
statement and then write a short paragraph explaining it and analyzing it.
“I hate Othello.” How could Iago be any clearer. Iago never seemed to have
ever liked Othello, as he always refers to Othello as some sort of gross animal, for
example an ass. In addition Iago has always seemed to have a problem with
Othello’s race and skin color, so when Desdemona had fallen in love with Othello,
Iago was not became very jealous of Othello, of getting such a wonderful woman.
Iago’s disgust for Othello was heightened the max, especially after Othello promoted
Cassio to lieutenant instead of himself. So, after taken all of this into account, one
can see just how easily it is for Iago to be blinded as assume anything that would
harm Othello’s reputation to be true, for example, Othello sleeping with his wife.
5. Samuel Taylor Coleridge famously described Iago as ‘motiveless malignity’.
- How would you interpret this phrase?
Iago never really had real motives for harming all the main characters in Othello,
nonetheless he would blind himself with his jealousy, among other things, and
believe himself to have concrete reasons to carry out such evil and horrible
events.
- Do some research and find out what Coleridge meant by this statement.
Do you agree with him?
I do agree with Coleridge as he believes that Iago is a rationalist, attempting to
justify his behavior/attitude with logical/plausible reasons, even if they are not
true.
- What motive does Iago offer for his treatment of Othello in this
soliloquy? Provide a quotation to support your answer.
That Othello had slept with his wife, however he probably knows it not to be
true, “ And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets he’s done my office.”
- Can you suggest an alternative explanation for Iago’s attitude towards
Othello?
Jealousy  Racial, color of skin, Othello’s higher position, Othello’s success
with love and Desdemona, Othello promoting Cassio instead of him, ect.
6. Summarize the plan that Iago formulates during this soliloquy.
7. Find a quotation that tells us which aspect of Othello’s character Iago tends
to exploit to achieve his plan.
“The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem
to be so, and will as tenderly be led by th’ nose as asses are.”
8. Find a quotation that tells us which aspect of Cassio’s character Iago tends to
exploit to achieve his plan.
“He hath a person and a smooth dispose to be suspected, framed to make
women false.”
9.Throughout the play, Shakespeare associates Iago with imagery connected
to:
-
Animals  “And will be led by th’ nose as asses are” this reveals a lot about
Iago’s character as back in Shakespearean time referring someone to an
animal is considered very insulting.
-
Heaven and Hell  “Hell and night must bring the monstrous birth to the
light.” Iago by saying this causes him to appear even more evil.
-
Light and darkness  “Hell and night must bring the monstrous birth to the
light.” This use of “night: and “light” possibly reveals how Iago is struggling
with himself in whether or not he is evil or just trying to do the right thing,
“bring this monstrous birth to the light.”
-
Money  “Make my fool my purse…for my own gained knowledge…for my
sport and profit.” As Iago hopes to only use Rodrigo, for example, for his
money, Iago is perceived as considerably greedy.
Highlight examples of these in the soliloquy and explain what they reveal
about Iago’s character and his attitude to others.