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One of the most popular Shakespeare’s tragedies is Othello. It is often called a tragedy of betrayed faith. Even these most intelligent and noble people are not able to resist deception, stealth and agility of others! A gallery of images, which is a different generation of Venetian civilization, crowned by the image of the worst of its representative, Iago. Personally I believe that his actions made him the most dangerous villain of all the Shakespeare’s plays.
The essence of Shakespeare's tragedy lies in the clash of two principles, the humanistic feelings (pure and noble humanity) and vulgarity, meanness, greed and selfishness. The fate of everybody is the result of his character and circumstances. And Shakespeare clearly and undeniably demonstrates this in his plays: the best, noble, intelligent people are dying under the influence of evil, caught in a tenacious network of lies and confused in them, the evil takes possession of their soul, which leads to terrible consequences. Most importantly, a powerful and effective weapon Iago is his sober, practical mind. Iago is a man endowed with remarkable powers of observation, which helps him to make accurate representation about people around him. Very often, Iago cunningly pursuing their hidden agendas, tells a deliberate lie about the other characters of the play. But in moments when he was left alone on stage, speaks frankly about the people he faced, his estimates are striking in their insight. They are simply, but clearly and objectively expressed innermost essence of the characters.
The ability to understand the true nature of those around him helps Iago to navigate the environment. Given the features of a psychological warehouse of the characters participating in a given situation, created by or arising against his will, Iago is able to predict its future course and use it for his own purposes. A brilliant example is the scene in which Iago in the presence of the hidden Othello asks Cassio about Bianca. Iago is convinced that jealousy has possessed the soul of a naive Othello; on the other hand, he knows that Cassio cannot say about Bianca except with frivolous laughter. Comparing these data, Iago develops a plan of influence on Othello:
Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again (Shakespeare 3,3).
Mind of Iago reminds the mind of a chess player. Sitting down at the Board, the chess player has as its main objective is to win. But he does not know what concrete way this win can be achieved. However, an experienced player, observing the response insufficiently prepared opponent reveal the weakness of his position, very soon creates a tactical plan of attack and begins to anticipate what consequences will his moves have and how the combination of these moves will allow him to achieve victory. And Iago declares war Othello, still with no concrete plan of attack.
Iago uses the best qualities of Othello and Desdemona, to destroy them.Iago the ability to wear a mask, play to the screen has no equal among all of Shakespeare's villains. At the first appearance before the audience Iago utters the aphorism in which it more accurately defines the essence of his character:
For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, ’tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am (Shakespeare 1,1).
But until the finale, none of the characters of the play cannot but notice the duplicity of Iago; all still think him honest and brave. That is why I believe that Othello may be regarded as the most negative hero not only of the given tragedy, but of all the Shakespeare’s plays.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. "Othello (Complete Text)". Opensourceshakespeare.org. Web. 26 Apr. 2016. http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=othello&Scope=entire&pleasewait=1&msg=pl
