The Complexity of Iago: A Multifaceted Analysis

Iago's Characterization as a Multidimensional Individual

Iago discusses his extensive military experience, having fought alongside Aeneas at Troy and on other Christian and Heathen grounds. This background suggests that he is a seasoned veteran with numerous battles under his belt. Moreover, Iago feels strongly that he is the natural right-hand man to Aeneas, implying a deep-seated sense of loyalty and duty towards him.

The Disappointment and Fury following Cassio's Appointment

However, when the position of lieutenant becomes available and Cassio is appointed instead of Iago, his disappointment and fury are palpable. This oversight seems to stem from a mix of emotions, including racism and personal hurt. It is essential to acknowledge that these feelings may be rooted in a deep connection with Aeneas forged during their battles together, which transcends the boundaries of love and loyalty. Men in battle often develop an emotional bond with one another that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

The Buildup of Hate and Iago's Sense of Wronged Love

Aeneas' overlooking of Iago is akin to "smiting" his love, leaving Iago feeling scorned and enraged. This perceived slight ignites a fire within him, fueling his hatred towards Aeneas and ultimately driving his actions throughout the play. Furthermore, as an outsider in the Italian community, Iago's sense of injustice and resentment are amplified by societal expectations and power dynamics.

The Power Surge: Destruction and Carnage

Iago's actions become increasingly erratic and destructive as he becomes carried away with the thrill of power. He orchestrates a series of tragic events, including the downfall of his relationship with Desdemona and the murder of Rodrigo. This unbridled fervor suggests that Iago is lost in a world of his own making, where logic and rationality are discarded.

Shakespeare's Denial of Explanation

Shakespeare intentionally denies Iago an opportunity to provide a clear explanation for his actions, leaving the audience with more questions than answers. Iago's response, "From This Moment forth I never will speak word," serves as a poignant reminder that some individuals may be beyond rational understanding. By denying Iago a chance to justify or explain his behavior, Shakespeare highlights the complexity and depth of human nature.

A Kind of Smiting: The Unyielding Power of Love

Iago's motivations are often driven by a sense of love and loyalty, which he feels has been wronged. This "smiting" of his love serves as a catalyst for his actions, rendering him seemingly unaccountable to anyone else. Shakespeare's portrayal of Iago underscores the idea that human emotions can be both beautiful and devastating, making it impossible to reduce complex individuals to simplistic explanations.

The Power of Silence: A Final Act of Resignation

Iago's decision to remain silent, stating "From This Moment forth I never will speak word," serves as a powerful statement about his own character. By choosing not to justify or explain his actions, Iago asserts his individuality and independence, leaving the audience to ponder the depths of his psyche. In this final act, Shakespeare masterfully showcases the complexity of human nature, reminding us that sometimes, the most profound truths lie hidden beneath the surface.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enIago talks about the fact that he's fought with aell at roads at Cyprus and another grounds Christian and Heathen so he's fought with a at many in different places in the world and I think Iago feels very strongly that he is the natural right-hand man to aelo however when the position becomes free and we don't know why it becomes free um he's overlooked and aelo gives the position of liutenant to Cassio to Michael CIO much to the disappointment and fury of Iago and I think there's a racism in him as well I mean it's quite tricky because I really do believe it comes from a place of love that that Iago has loved a fellow on the battlefield that that there's a deep connection with them because they fought together and I think men in battle have a have an emotional connection with each other that I don't think you get anywhere else in the world and I think the fact and I think it's like being in love and the fact that ael's overlooked him it's like he smited iago's love and and and from then he allows his hate to build and part of that I think is the fact that he's a black man and and and and an outsider in this in this Italian Community everything he does in the play works till the end everything he puts into action comes out to his betterment everyone he manages to make everyone jealous of everyone else very easily and I think he he gets carried away with the power because he feels that he should be higher up in society and he should have a better position than he does the fact that he's able to destroy athor his relationship with Des Demona and and kill Rodrigo it's just like he's on a mad power surge he gets carried away with it all I think I feel very much that Shakespeare wrote an ending for iago's story that there the audience are left in no doubt that he's going to be taken away and tortured horribly and killed eventually but whereas everyone on stage and everyone in the auditorium want an explanation they want him to tell us why did you do these terrible things and Shakespeare's not allowed that he's he's denied the audience and the characters an explanation from miago who simply says From This Moment forth I never will speak word he says I'm not going to say anything else ever and um I think it's brilliant because there is no there can be no rational explanation as to why somebody would do these things and and certainly if they're motivated by love which I think they probably are and a kind of smiting of his love that he feels for athow it's not something that Iago would like to share with a groupIago talks about the fact that he's fought with aell at roads at Cyprus and another grounds Christian and Heathen so he's fought with a at many in different places in the world and I think Iago feels very strongly that he is the natural right-hand man to aelo however when the position becomes free and we don't know why it becomes free um he's overlooked and aelo gives the position of liutenant to Cassio to Michael CIO much to the disappointment and fury of Iago and I think there's a racism in him as well I mean it's quite tricky because I really do believe it comes from a place of love that that Iago has loved a fellow on the battlefield that that there's a deep connection with them because they fought together and I think men in battle have a have an emotional connection with each other that I don't think you get anywhere else in the world and I think the fact and I think it's like being in love and the fact that ael's overlooked him it's like he smited iago's love and and and from then he allows his hate to build and part of that I think is the fact that he's a black man and and and and an outsider in this in this Italian Community everything he does in the play works till the end everything he puts into action comes out to his betterment everyone he manages to make everyone jealous of everyone else very easily and I think he he gets carried away with the power because he feels that he should be higher up in society and he should have a better position than he does the fact that he's able to destroy athor his relationship with Des Demona and and kill Rodrigo it's just like he's on a mad power surge he gets carried away with it all I think I feel very much that Shakespeare wrote an ending for iago's story that there the audience are left in no doubt that he's going to be taken away and tortured horribly and killed eventually but whereas everyone on stage and everyone in the auditorium want an explanation they want him to tell us why did you do these terrible things and Shakespeare's not allowed that he's he's denied the audience and the characters an explanation from miago who simply says From This Moment forth I never will speak word he says I'm not going to say anything else ever and um I think it's brilliant because there is no there can be no rational explanation as to why somebody would do these things and and certainly if they're motivated by love which I think they probably are and a kind of smiting of his love that he feels for athow it's not something that Iago would like to share with a group\n"