Act I Questions
Iago the Pimp Foreshadowing Iago's Manipulation of Brabantio Manipulation Effects Devil/Hell Reference Iago Getting Out of Trouble
Manipulation of Othello Manipulation Effects from Othello
Iago's Janus Reference Othello's Charge Military Council's Workings Similarities
Military Council's Workings Differences
Othello Defending Against Allegations
Othello Escaping Trouble
Iago's Thought About Love
Iago's Soliloquy |
Iago is like a pimp in the sense that he attempts to arrange a client (Desdemona) for his worker (Roderigo), taking part of Roderigo's money in return.
In this speech, Iago tells Roderigo that even though all men serve somebody, man truly only serves themselves. His statement, "In following [Othello] I follow but myself" accentuates that Iago is only working for himself. Iago will, in turn, hide his motivations and show only what is false. If he were to "wear [his] heart upon [his] sleeve", he would be emotionally torn apart. Honesty would be Iago's downfall . This speech is introducing to us what Iago's character will be like throughout the story and how his morals will influence his future decisions. Iago uses strong and hateful words in a fast-paced manner to describe the situation that Desdemona is in, which both confuses and frustrates Brabantio even more. Brabantio becomes more and more angry at Desdemona and Othello due to Iago's word choice. This makes Desdemona and Othello's actions seem worse than what they actually are in the eyes of Brabantio. "Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you: Arise, I say." "'Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not serve God, if the devil bid you." "To lead their business: in which regard, Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains." "Against all rules of nature, and must be driven To find out practises of cunning hell, Why this should be." "Venetian not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her; therefore make money." "I have't. It is engender'd. Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light." Iago prevents himself from trouble with Brabantio by hiding his face when Roderigo is yelling to his balcony so he is never seen, and when a crew is sent to fetch Desdemona, Iago is the first to volunteer and lead that crew. Iago remains humble and loyal when he is in the room with Brabantio, keeping the attention away from him by throwing it on Othello. Iago manipulates Othello by acting like his most loyal companion who will do anything to defend and assist his master. He also runs to Othello's place to warn him before Brabantio and his crew arrive to make it look like he is helping Othello, even though he is the reason that Brabantio showed up at Othello's in the first place.
This is gets Othello to believe in and trust Iago. Since Iago runs to warn Othello of the soon-to-arrive visitors and follows all of Othello's commands relentlessly, Othello has no reason to doubt anything that Iago tells him. Iago even earns the title of "Honest Iago," even though he is the story's biggest liar and swindler.
Iago's reference to Janus is relevant in the sense that he embodies Janus and is describing himself when describing the two-faced Janus. Iago has two sides to him: one that is nice and good and listens to every command, and one that has a secret plot to overthrow the balance of power through manipulation. This can be represented by two faces, just as Janus has.
Brabantio charges Othello with stealing Desdemona from him and that he used potions and spells of witchcraft to make her marry him, since Desdemona would never love someone such as Othello otherwise.
The military council's workings parallel with the earlier battle between Othello and Brabantio in the sense that they both started out very loud and full of anger, with accusations filling the air. By the end of both the battles, both sides have calmed down and came up with a compromise.
The difference between the two is that Othello and Brabantio's battle ends with Brabantio still angry at Othello, while after the workings of the military council, Brabantio calms down and accepts that Othello has done nothing wrong.
Othello defends himself from Brabantio's allegations by having Desdemona fetched to adhere to his alibi. Once Desdemona reiterates what Othello has tried telling Brabantio, that Desdemona fell in love with him without a spell or witchcraft, Brabantio rids of his allegations.
Othello escapes trouble because his and Desdemona's stories match up, leaving Brabantio to accept the unwanted truth. Also, the government needs Othello to fill his duty as commander, so he avoids further conflict this way.
Iago is not too fond of love. He feels he should be in power and control everyone and everything, and sees women as a threat to take that from him. He considers women to be very talkative. He has no respect or morals . Iago is a man who hates women, for he shows no sympathy or love to any women in the play as he constantly slanders them of actions they didn’t do or even think about. He sees love as a waste of time and energy.
Iago describes his suspicion that Othello has slept with his wife and his burning hatred for Othello. He tells us about his plan to to convince Othello that Desdemona cheated on Othello and slept with Cassio, cheat Roderigo out of his money, and to use Othello’s unsuspecting and honest nature to bring him to his certain doom.
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