Othello - Iago

"I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,
And let him find it. Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of Holy Writ. This may do something.
The Moor already changes with my poison." - Iago (III.iii.322-326)

Iago is extremely cunning. I've been  blown away by how well he's manipulated people. He's made it look so easy. He convinced Roderigo not to commit suicide and to sell everything. He got Cassio drunk and got him fired, but then turned around and pretended to try to help him get his job back. At the end of Act III Scene iii, he actually becomes lieutenant. He convinced Othello, who was so sure of his love for Desdemona to want to kill her. Othello quickly jumped to the conclusion that his wife is cheating on him without confronting either one. Iago has everyone convinced that he's an honest, good person when he's really trying to get everyone killed.

Othello - Shakespeare - Question 4

"(aside) He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper! With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do, I will gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true, 'Tis so, indeed." Iago (II.i. 164-168)


How is the dramatic suspense created? Contrast the amount of information posessed by the audience as the play proceeds with the knowledge that various individual characters have: what is the effect of such a contrast?


The dramatic suspense is created by the audience's knowledge of Iago's plan in contrast to what other characters believe of him. The audience is aware that he is plotting to get revenge on Othello, but the other characters are unaware of this. Iago is often described as "honest Iago," but this is far from the truth. Othello believes that Iago is a loyal officer. Roderigo is under the impression that Iago is trying to help him win Desdemona because they are friends. Cassio receives council from Iago in which Iago tells Cassio to ask Desdemona to help him get his job back. Cassio thinks that Iago is being helpful, but he is really manipulating Cassio into putting Iago's plan for revenge into action. This contrast creates suspense as the audience waits for the other characters to discover Iago's plan. All if these characters trust Iago, but the audience knows his true intentions.

Othello - Shakespeare - Question 3

"Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.

For I mine own gained knowledge should profane

If I would time expend with such a snipe

But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor," (I.iii.363-366)

Identify the protagonist(s) and antagonist(s). Are there any foil characters? What dramatic functions are served by the various minor characters? 

The protagonist of this story is Othello while the antagonist is Iago. Othello is a hero to the city of Venice and is in love with Desdemona. Iago hates Othello for not promoting him to lieutenant and for the rumor that Othello has slept with Iago's wife. Iago is the antagonist because he is purposely trying to ruin Othello's marriage as revenge. 

Emilia and Desdemona are foil characters and this is evident in how they talk to Iago in Act II, Scene i, lines 100-162. Emilia is very quiet and timid while Desdemona is assertive and unintimidated by Iago's rudeness. 

The main purpose of the minor characters is so that Iago can manipulate them to carry out his plan for getting revenge on Othello. Roderigo is used to alert Barbantio of Othello and Desdemona's marriage. Iago gets Cassio drunk so that Roderigo will get in a fight with him and he will lose his job. The minor characters, without Iago, would not make much of a difference in the lives of Othello and Desdemona.