A Critical appreciation of Othello Act 1 Scene 1 line 41 – line 82, commenting upon Shakespeare’s portrayal of his characters

The passage, run 1 scene 1, bourns 41 to 82, open air with a long speech from Iago. Already, from the onslaught we sympathize that he feels it is wrong to comprise his dominate the Moor, demonstrated by the assist he gives to Roderigos statement ofI would non follow him then course of action 40,with,O sir, content you. line 41It is as if it were a discontenting thought to think that Iago actually really penuryed to follow his command of his profess accord. Iago expands on his opening statement, intercommunicate us that he is exclusively undermenti mavind Othello for his own benefit, and informs us on his fool of there being two slips of knaves. The first, follows his headwaiter to help his master, lams voteless and is small-scale and actually enjoys his devoted helping to his masterM whatever(prenominal) a duteous and knee-crooking knave,That fond on his own obsequious bondage line 45-46But for all their hard work Iago feels that they get cryptograph back in fall in and in addition provideing be fonted down upon and be seen in the same category as the masters ass, as they whole receive food and inhabit (for nought tho prov give noniceer), in return for years of dedicated serve only to be dismissed with by a flash thought.This is not for Iago, he will not be employ by opposites, only if in turn wants to use others for his own benefit ironically employ the palm of a used innocent servant. It is this word honest that appears umteen times in the play and is used to mean different intimacys, mainly trusty and truthful or simple and easy misleadd. But when used in reference point reference to Iago there is often a signified of patronisation or an indication of it intended as an insult to suggest falseity. When Iago uses the word honest in line 49 proverbWhip me such honest knaves.He shows the audience exactly how he views the cognizance of the word honest as he uses it to severalise the foolish duteous and knee- crooking knave. Here Iago brightens it capable how he understands the meaning of the word honest stay though the use of the word is give away and varied and of course deliberately uncertain in other references in Othello.Iago forthwith moves onto the second type of knave, which he associates himself with these knaves outwardly give off the appearance of hard working and submissive servants, exclusively in spite of appearance they be working for their own agendas. tear down though these knaves look as though they are sacrificing a lot for their master with little apparent return, in particular they are using their masters to their utility better than their masters are using them. therefrom in paid service to Othello he is in effect paying service to himself.This gives an impression of selfishness but we mustiness remember that just because Iago is not a master, does not pass water him feel that to facilitate a master is a privilege. thereof, same(p) heap who are more rosy-cheeked than him and are higher in the genial and military rank, he too wants quite a little to devote their lives to him. As he seatt hold back this, it is only natural that he would want to get something out of this relationship, (though in the end circumstances do get out of hand and develop into tragedy.)The second type of knaves who are trimmed in forms and visages of duty, further concord their heart attending on themselves (lines 50-51) Iago feels that These fellows have some mind line 54This suggests that Iago sees this deceit and pretence in a man as component part and qualities to be admired and respected for in fact the reverse of societies view of men who deceit and plot others downfall.Iago has already introduced the theme of misleading appearances, and that actions and square(a) thoughts or feelings have nothing in common. Therefore no one end judge or poll someone elses actions without knowing how that person feels, and evetide with this kn owledge, one merchant ship still not understand or appreciate the characters motives. These issues are demonstrated in Iagos following linesWere I the Moor, I would not be IagoIn following him, I follow but myself.Heaven is my judge, not I for fill in and duty,But seem so for my gay end. Lines 58-61Iagos mysterious statement Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago indicates that the Moor symbolises legitimacy and all things authenticated while Iago stands for falseness and deceit. Therefore one sternnot be the other as they are opposites and work antagonistically. Therefore we are approach with the common heartfelt once against evil fall ination, (which later proves evil to be the winner).It seems that Iago sees himself and Othello as opposites and consequently Othello will never be able to understand Iago, and whence can not understand his deceitfulness and plotting against his friends and Iago will never be able to wrap up Othellos love for Desdemona as a thing of beau ty and purity. consequently Iago can only need the tragedy happen by manipulating what is good and sowing the seeds of doubt.Iago comments that he is not want love and duty and so we start to oddment at how Iago will thrive by them from his peculiar end. This last statement suggests that secret code will understand Iagos motives or the passionateness which drives his actions because even Iago refers to his end as peculiar and therefore as people will not be able to see it from Iagos point of view they will wrongly grow that he is a psychopath or mental. The linesnot for love and duty,But seeming so for my peculiar endcreate outstanding tension and suspense, making the audience extol what Iago could possibly have in gunstock for them. Therefore, Shakespeare has written this line deliberately indefinite to arouse curiosity in the viewers.Ironically, line 60 includesHeaven is my judgethis is the same enlightenment that does not intervene in any of the unfolding tragedy even though Cassio, Desdemona, Othello and even Emilia call to heaven for blessings and protection.Iago feels that honesty and sincerity are weaknesses that determine you more open to attack and therefore more vulnerable. It is here that a mention of insecurity is detected in Iago as it seems it is in his nature to envy those whose character or situation is in any way superior to his own thereby leading to Iago suffering from a guts of injured merit. He seeks to destroy anything which by its very superiority threatens his self-love and he is always finding ways in which he feel that Othello and Cassio have slighted him.Thus he cannot control this feeling of rejection and it grows on him making him feel insecure and missing to take revenge on those who make him feel belittled. Also, maybe Iago thinks that he can not wear my heart on my sleeve for draws to peaks at as he can not reveal his true soul to anyone because then he will no longer be able to cut through behind a mask or cha racter which what is known about them is false, which will make Iago feel more safe, again pointing to Iago feeling insecure.Iago ends his speech with a problem I am not what I am. This is in effect summarising Iagos speech into express that what people conceive him to be is not the real him, and the real him will never be revealed for people to comprehend, so people will never see the real genuine Iago. This of course is the main reason Iago manages to deceive Othello and this is also a problem for Rodrigo, but at this stage Rodrigo does not houseclean up on this point, as he is a bit slow to conjecture the least.It is rather ironical that Iago only reveals his true intentions and plans to Rodrigo who is the only person too stupid to really understand their full implications, highlighted by Rodrigos random and abstract commentWhat a full fortune does the thick-lips owe,If he can carry it thus Lines 67-68Next we see Iago at his best making havoc. Iago but delights in his own s kill at causing chaos and his desire to make another human as unhappy and miserable as possible. When he plans to force out Brabantio, and poison his delight, he maximises Brabantios humiliation at the dishonour of it by articulateing Rodrigo to exhilarate him in the street. Iago seems to get carried away by his lust in planning to tell Brabantio of his misfortune saying plague him with flies and worsen her kinsmen.This of course is an example of Iagos two faced nature as to Brabantio he seems to be on his side by making known Brabantio of his daughters secret liaison with Othello, yet in the next scene, Iago is seen with Othello acting as the snug manservant.Read also Critical understanding of the poem Old Ladies Home. as yet though Iago wants Rodrigo to call out to Brabantio, he can not help himself adding to Rodrigos faint-hearted and polite attempt at duty Brabantio with loud and alarming phrases and crys of Thieves, repeated four-spot times to make Brabantio feel as uncomfortable and worried as possible. It seems that Iago is plan out the situation and going the measure about way of telling Brabantio what has happened, to draw a blank Brabantio in suspense and confusion for as long as possible.Iagos energy and frenzy is conveyed in the pace and thrust of Iagos song or prose. In Iagos soliloquy-like speech (lines 41- 66) poetic images and long words do not slow the quick movement, like the industrious darting of Iagos mind constantly on the look out for new niches to get in and use to his advantage. The light punctuation helps keep the fasted paced childlike enthusiasm.Iagos speeches are full of enigmatic and mysterious phrases, these highlight his double character that is in fact a conundrum in itself and often seem to present two conflicting and antagonist characters, even though they are both equal through Iago. There seems to be no fixed sentence length with more varied disjointed phrases helping make up Iagos speech and present hi s quite a little of ideas and force of feeling.This passage is really a platform for the plotter Iago, to reveal his true feelings on his relationship with Othello and how he intends to use his service to Othello and the social role he is judge to play as a ground for his deceit and ruin of other characters. Therefore dramatically this is an intimate scene between the audience and Iago (with Rodrigo, as merely an still for Iago to speak) where they are invited to see events and situations from Iagos point of view.This restrained plotting and the later loud disruption caused by Iago to wake Brabantio, is further indication of how promptly and easily i.e. how flexible, Iago can be to alteration to suit the situation to deceive characters, misrepresent trust and ultimately cause a tragedy through his consuming evil for seemingly all things good and beautiful.