Iagos self perception
Iagos self perceptionIago's Self Perception
The play, Othello, is a play that we can read with a great deal of understanding because we can relate it to our society today. We often witness acts of racism, gender bashing, evil people and suicides because of poor self perception. In the play we see examples of all of these. Othello's suicide, Emilia's severe dislike for men and the constant reference to Othello's colour are all examples of the issues that I named above. The issue that I find the most interesting is how Iago perceives himself. I think Iago is not even sure of what he is.
Throughout the play we are shown several different perceptions of people. Most often the characters perceived Iago as honest Iago. I believe that we do not get a clear vision of how Iago views himself. He speaks of himself being evil and cunning, but he also says that we cannot call him a villain because he is not asking a fee for his advice. "And what's he then that says I play the villain,/ When this advice is free..."(II,iii,336-7)
I think that Iago, originally was a character of good morale trying to raise in the state. Iago, did not feel as though he belonged in the Venetian state or the group that he desired to belong. We know Iago, is an outsider because of Cassio, when he speaks of Iago's kindness. " I never knew/ A Florentine more kind and honest."(III,i,39-40) A possible reason for Iago's severe actions against Othello in Cyprus was because he was an outsider and did not feel like he belonged. He may have felt that he had no reason to fight for Venice. (A. Kavanagh) Iago can be compared to a young child who is new in town and feels left out. Or even the child who was part of the group and feels left out because his or her friends have found someone new to play with. A dislike for the new person would be natural. Iago, would be the child, the state would be the group and Othello would be the new child. The state grants Othello as the best man for the duties in Cyprus. Iago, believes that he is the better of the two and becomes jealous and hateful immediately.
Iago, seems to have a general dislike for everyone. At some parts in the play we could even get the impression of a dislike for himself or at least for what he is doing. Iago hates his wife and all women in general. He hates Othello, for his black skin colour, his superior position and for choosing Michael Cassio as his officer. He hates Cassio because Cassio is a gentleman and he hates the position that Cassio holds. Iago, is bitter about everything in his life.
We witness his severe dislike for women when he and Desdemona arrive in Cyprus. The two characters start off...
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