A close reading of a work of literature can focus on any number of different elements. 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 ShakespeareÆs play, Othello. Iago resents and even hates Othello and is responsible for convincing Othello that his wife, Desdemona, has been unfaithful to him. IagoÆs 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 IagoÆs 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 ôin hate.ö He says ôdespise me if I do not (795).ö He then goes on to say to Roderigo that three highly placed people or ôgreat ones of the city, in personal suit to make me his lieutenant, off-cappÆd to him (795).ö Iago then says that he knows his price or worth and is very well suited to be OthelloÆs lieutenant. However, he goes on to say that ôbut he, as loving his own pride and purpose, evades them (795).ö 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 Florence named Michael Cassio (795). IagoÆs anger is motivated by his injured pride, his ambition, and his sense of outrage superiority with regard not only to Cassio (who has been advanced over him), but also with regard to Othello himself.
IagoÆs contempt for Cassio is fully explained in this scene. He calls Cassio a man who ôof
...