Character and Iago

The Balance of Iago and Desdemonas Characters in Othello In W sicklyiam Shakespeares tragic act Othello the balance of good versus evil is tickn in Desdemona and Iago. Every character is balance by another similar or contrasting character(Kernan 877). We see this balance in Desdemonas naturalness and Iagos corrupting abhorrence (877). The effects both Iago and Desdemona acquit on the main character Othello end-to-end the persist notwithstanding foster to show this balance. Othello becomes the tragic work of graphics due to the balancing of Iagos hatred and Desdemonas loyalty through pop the play.At the beginning of the play, Iagos hatred is evident through his desire to boast revenge on Othello. As he speaks to Roderigo, he discusses this hatred for Othello. These fellows have some soul, / And such a one do I pretend myself. / It is as sure as you are Roderigo, / Were I the Moor I would not be Iago. / In following him, I follow just myself- / Heaven is my judge, not I fo r love and duty, / But seeming so for my peculiar end. (Shakespeare 1. 1. 56-62). From this Iago begins his plot to overtake Othello by manipulating others to do his bidding which only adds to the extremity of his character.With his plot in motion, Iago, according to Amy Clark, uses a special technique to trick Othello by cleverly appearing to be reluctant to speak ill against others. This technique enlightens Othello not suspect Iago of any dishonest behavior (Clark). This is where Othello believes his so called friend over his wife. This method that Clark speaks of shows Iagos deceit towards Othello. Iago says to Othello, Cassio/ In stillness I heard him say Sweet Desdemona,/ Let us be wary, let us hide our loves/ And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,/ promise O sweet creature and then kiss me hard,/ then laid his leg/ Over my thigh, and sighd, and kissd and/ Cried Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor (Shakespeare 3. 3. 418-426) Iago is also instinctive to do almost anything to get his revenge. This is proven again at the cataclysm of the play, when Iago kills his own wife, as she tells Othello that Desdemona was in fact innocent. Iago tries to shut Emilia up from stating the truth by saying, Zounds, hold your piece (Shakespeare 5. 2. 231), Be wise, and get you mansion (Shakespeare 5. 2. 236), Villainous whore (Shakespeare 5. 2. 243) and Filth, thou liest (Shakespeare 5. 2. 246). Iago isnt successful in culmination Emilia up until he stabs her and she dies. Iago manipulates and twists many actions within this play to help him succeed in his revenge against Othello however, in the end of the play it is not only Othello but also Iago who creates his own demise. Desdemona in turn balances out Iagos pure hatred with the love and devotion she has towards her husband. Desdemona says to Othello, For twas that hand that gave outside my heart (Shakespeare 3. . 43) proving that her love and devotion was for Othello, and Othello only. William Long says that this is shown in Desdemonas interpretation of the reasons she loves Othello and this helps to define her essential character as a woman of loyalty and incorruptibleness to him (Long). This can also be seen when Desdemona is questioned about leaving Venice to follow Othello to Cyprus. She says, The rites for why I love him are bereft me,/ And I a minacious interim shall support / By his dear absence.Let me go with him (Shakespeare 1. 3. 258-60). As the play comes to its climax, we can see the effect that Desdemona has on her husband. Overcome with a green-eyed rage, due to the fact that he thinks Desdemona is cheating on him, and thanks to Iagos hatred, Othello ends up killing her despite her pleas. Although, Desdemona is completely innocent of this act, she remains faithful to her husband in her last breath as she declares to Emilia that cypher did this to her except herself (Shakespeare 5. 2. 128).Othello has been called one of William Shakespeares greatest trag edies, and throughout the entire play, Alvin Kermans theory of each character having another character that is similar or contrasting to create balance is shown directly through the characters Iago and Desdemona (877). Othellos galling behavior is caused by Iagos hatred and is balanced by her innocence as well as her love and devotion for her husband. The balances they create make Othello the tragedy it is known as today. Works Cited Clark, Amy. Analyze The Techniques Iago Uses to Plant perplexity In Othellos Mind. Coursework. Info. Web. 03 Apr. 2012 Kernan, Alvin. The Complete Signet Classic Shakespeare. Backpack Literature An creation to Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Writing. Ed. X. J. Kenndy and Dana Gioia. 4th ed. overbold York Longman, 2012. 877. Print. 03 Apr. 2012 Long, William R. Desdemonas Love and Othello. Dr. William Long and Dr. Bill Long. 1 Jan. 2004. Web. 03 Apr. 2012. Shakespeare, William. Othello, The Moor of Venice. Backpack Literature An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Writing. Ed. X. J. Kenndy and Dana Gioia. 4th ed. New York Longman, 2012. 762-875. Print. 03 Apr. 2012