Write a defence for Iago

Write a defence for Iago

The play Othello presents Iago to the reader as an evil man who should be subjected to punishment in society. It would be right for a shallow thinker to judge Iago’s actions without evaluating his motives. Every action that happens has a reason behind. Therefore, unless we critically analyze what is irking Iago, then we will cast stones on him. In the play, Iago is an intelligent being who knows to play the cards right in his favour. He is a strategist who thinks ahead. Iago’s plans do not fail, and I would say that he gets what he wants. The way Iago plays other characters such as Othello and Brabantio shows how he thinks three steps ahead. A reader would hate the final results of trickery and manipulative nature of Iago, but the start of the game needs a closer look.  Despite the ways that Iago uses his talent, we must accept that he is sharp and self-disciplined. Iago’s deeds are motivated by the past actions carried out by his enemies. Therefore, the actions of an individual can trigger their subjects to portray the negative character to seek revenge.

While engaging in an argument with Rodrigo, Iago opens up that his trouble with Othello started when Othello did not give him the promotion fairly. Othello instead promoted Michael Cassio to the position of a lieutenant (Shakespeare). It was quite unfair to have Cassio promoted because he was not conversant with the military training. Iago was recommended to serve as the lieutenant, having served in the military for many years. Othello thus goes for Cassio, who is described as “never set a squadron in the field, / Nor the division of a battle knows/ More than a spinster” (Shakespeare). Othello supposedly violated military rules by making promotion to be based on personal preference and book learning.  The fact that Othello openly denied Iago a promotion shows that he hated him. Before the promotion incidence, the two were close friends. As a human, when someone denies you what you deserve, then you have a reason to think twice. It is, therefore, reasonable for Iago to become angry. He openly confesses that;

“I hate the Moor;

And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets

He has done my office: I know not if’t be true;

But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,

Will do as if for surety.”

These words show the bitterness of human character. Since the bad game started with Othello, Iago had to play his cards well in his favour.

When rumours spread that Othello has slept with Emilia, Iago spurs with anger. This is the most hurting information that pierces Iago’s heart. In the typical setting, we tend to believe that rumours are so close to the truth. Iago himself declares that he does not care if the rumours were from a reliable source (Shakespeare). Iago reveals a plot against Othello when he says;

“I do suspect the lusty Moor

Hath leap’d into my seat: the thought whereof

Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards;

And nothing can or shall content my soul

Till I am even’d with him, wife for wife.

Therefore, the fact that there are rumours of cheating allegations, Iago feels that Othello is planning to destroy him. I believe Iago felt bitter because Othello held a higher position in the military. So, it was reasonable to suspect that Othello was using his position to bring down Iago. Worse enough, when Othello denies Iago a promotion, Iago believes that it’s the right time to think before he loses everything. Since Iago lacks attention to Othello, he admits to loving Desdemona, who was Othello’s fiancée. The rumours make Iago hate Othello. When Othello asks Iago about motivation, Iago refuses to respond, “Demand me nothing. What you know, you know” (Shakespeare).

According to Mahatma Gandhi, “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind” (Allen, Douglas). The quote is greatly reflected in Iago’s case. When Othello does injustice to Iago by denying him the promotion, it’s evident that Iago would revenge. Othello destroyed his relationship with Iago. The issue stirred bitterness to Iago who plotted to revenge. I would argue that Iago was a victim of circumstance who was soiled by earlier experience. Othello’s acts of denying Iago the promotion opens Pandora’s box. Sadly, Othello falls prey because he was too lazy to identify the trick. Othello destroyed the reputation of Iago as a military man. By bringing Cassio between him and Iago, it was a game that only required smart thinkers.  Iago is considerable intellect who deploys plans on his favour. His manipulative plan against Othello shows it all. As a form of revenge, Iago schemes a scene where Othello believes that Cassio is cheating with Desdemona. He is still bitter about proving whether it’s true that his wife has cheated with Othello. Othello fails to find the truth about the allegations. He went ahead to murder the innocent Desdemona. According to the law, Othello is guilty of killing Desdemona. Othello admits to having murdered Desdemona at the end of the play. He ought to have forgotten his earlier action towards Iago.

I, therefore, believe that Iago is not the man to crucify in this scenario. The end of revenge was death that was done by Othello. He did not either hold the knife to kill Desdemona, nor was he present during the crime. Othello started the game that he knew little about. By openly denying Iago the chance to serve as a lieutenant, Othello sparked the flame of hatred. As a commander, Othello had to exercise military laws by granting Iago the promotion (Shakespeare). Thus, as the play ends with a dilemma of not knowing the fate of Iago, he should be a free man. In modern society, people manipulate others as a form of revenge. Shakespeare presents Othello to the reader as “It is the green-eyed monster,” to depict Othello’s dark feelings which prompted him to discriminate Iago (Shakespeare). The reader expects Iago to be blamed for causing the death of Desdemona, but Shakespeare puts the crime unto Othello.