A Close Reading of Othello A close reading of

Character analysis, as revealed in the dialogue or description of a character, is one approach to close reading that illuminates meaning in a work of literature. In this brief essay, the character selected for analysis is Iago, who is the villain and evil presence in William Shakespeare's play, Othello. Iago resents and even hates Othello and is responsible for convincing Othello that his wife, Desdemona, has been unfaithful to him. Iago's character is revealed early in the play. This essay will discuss the images and speech of Iago in Act I, Scene 1, in which Iago speaks to Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman. These early speeches define Iago's character and establish his motivates for wreaking havoc in the life and career of Othello. They depict Iago as a man with no compassion for others and a totally egocentric, self-interested approach to life.

Early in this scene, Iago reveals that he holds Othello "in hate." He says "despise me if I do not (795)." He then goes on to say to Roderigo that three highly placed people or "great ones of the city, in personal suit to make me his lieutenant, off-capp'd to him (795)." Iago then says that he knows his price or worth and is very well suited to be Othello's lieutenant. However, he goes on to say that "but he, as loving his own pride and purpose, evades them (795)." In other words, Iago has been overlooked by Othello and the coveted job of lieutenant that Iago expected to obtain has been given to someone else, a man from F

Related Essays

A Close Reading of Othello A close reading of .... or description of a character, is one approach to close reading that illuminates .... who is the villain and evil presence in William Shakespeare's play, Othello. .... (1010 4 )

Kant and Iser .... a highly specialized version of close reading, but which .... and cultural history to the reading exercise, shapes .... quality of a production of Othello, the motion .... (2257 9 )

Role of Women in Macbeth .... Bradley considers Othello separately from Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear for the .... Yet a close reading of the moral content of Julius Caesar yields implications .... (10698 43 )

Category: Literature - A