Essay Example on Iago's Cunning Plan to Sabotage Othello and Desdemona

Introduction

Context Before Iago's words, he was having a discussion with Roderigo, a dissolute Venetia who is in love with Desdemona. Roderigo had just told him that he would not follow Othello, who is the general of the army to Cyprus for war against the Turks who want to attack the island. After the words of Iago, Roderigo is pleased with the advice he is given, and they both decide that they would call Brabantio Desdemona's father and tell him malicious rumors about Othello so that he can deny him his hand in marriage for her daughter.

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Significance/Analysis The quote is important in the play because it portrays the theme of jealousy from one character towards another. In this case, Iago is extremely jealous of Othello, and he admits form the quote that he is not following him out of love or duty but so that he can take revenge against him. It is a thought that pleases Roderigo because he also has a grudge against Othello for taking a woman he eyes and wants to propose to her. The quote reveals Iago's character of being selfish and jealous as he obeys not because of duty or love but malice in his heart. It also reveals the bad relationship that exists between Iago and Othello, as well as Othello and Roderigo. Shakespeare uses the quote to symbolically depict friction between those in power with their juniors.

Directors Decision If I were the director, I would present the character moving from one end to the other talking with lots of fury frowning and in a loud voice, which depicts profound pain and anger. They would be dressed in army outfits, and they would be talking in dramatic pauses to show the magnitude of anger and need for revenge from their hearts, especially when he confesses that he is not following Othello out of duty or love. The best person who would be a good character for the role is Roderigo because he is bold and cannot hide his anger and need to pursue vengeance using malice.

Act 1 Quote 3

"Not I. I must be found.

My parts, my title, and my perfect soul

Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?"

Speaker Othello

Context Just before the quote Othello and Iago are having a conversation where Iago is warning him to go and hide inside the house because they had seen people coming with torches and they were suspecting it is Brabantio who had come with his friends to confront and humiliate Othello for wanting to marry Desdemona, the senator's daughter. After the quote, Cassio enters with the officers, and Othello asks them the message they had, and they explained to him that the Duke had sent his greetings and wanted to see him. The quote is a conversation being passed to Iago by Othello.

Significance\Analysis The quote is important to the theme of betrayal and jealousy because it depicts the beginning of a malicious plot against Othello. It reveals the bravery that Othello has because he states that he cannot run for safety in the house when they saw men with torches approaching. It depicts a good work relationship between Othello and Iago despite Iago's bitterness. It is like he uses a play within a play to show the actions of Cassio and the officers.

Director's decision I would present Othello standing up immediately from his sitting place and getting his weapon ready, making steps as if he wanted to move towards the unknown people approaching them with torches. He would say some words with a tremor in his voice. There would be dramatic pauses, especially when Othello is trying to recognize the people approaching them. The person who would be a good actor in portraying the play is one who can quickly change form happiness to an extremely angry mood.

Act 2 Quote 1

"Good ancient, you are welcome. Welcome, mistress. [He kisses Emilia.]

Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,

That I extend my manners. 'Tis my breeding

That gives me this bold show of courtesy."

Speaker Cassio

Context The quote comes after Desdemona thanks Cassio for the warm welcome and also asks him if he had any news about Othello, of which he says he does not have any. After the quote, Iago tells Cassio that he wishes Emilia his wife would be nagging to Cassio the same way he hugged and kissed him.

Significance The quote is important because it depicts the good relationship among the characters involved. It implies that there is friendship, although it could be disguised in fake outward show. It also shows how men understand and depict women. The quote depicts Cassio as a gentleman. It also shows the good relationship that Cassio has with Iago. The author uses a sly language to add meaning to the quote.

Directors decision If I were the director, I would present the character standing and with a feigning mile on his face. They would be dressed in a casual outfit, and he would be saying that hugging meant nothing with a wink. There would be no dramatic effects. The best character would be one jovial man.

Act 2 Quote 4

"Let's have no more of this. Let's to our affairs. God

forgive us for our sins! Gentlemen, let's look at our

business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk. This

is my ancient, this is my right hand, and this is my

left. I am not drunk now. I can stand well enough,

and I speak well enough."

Speaker Cassio

Context Just before the quote Cassio and Iago state that they will go to heaven, and they are not saying it to offend anyone. They are drinking and having a conversation. After the quote, everyone agrees with Cassio's statement that he is not drunk. Cassio also exists in the place.

Significance The quote is important to the theme of delegation to duty because as much as they are drinking, they agree that there is a need to focus on work. The quote reveals that Cassio is an upright man and has feared God and that he has a good rapport with his workmates. The author uses ordinary language and analogy of a person identifying his right and left hand to depict that he is not drunk.

Directors decision I would present the character speaking with hiccups interrupting him. They would be dressed in a work outfit but not well put on as it is expected. They would be saying the words with a slow pronunciation contrary to their norm. I would put some music slowly playing from the background to show a moment of enjoyment.

Act 3 Quote 2

"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!

It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock

The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss

Who, certain of his fate loves not his wronger;

But O, what damned minutes tells he o'er

Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves!"

speaker Iago

context Just before the quote, Iago is talking words to Provoke and make Othello disturbed and in doubt. He goes ahead to tell Othello that he cannot find out what is in his heart and perhaps his thoughts too. Thereafter Othello exclaims that it is a misery to be in the state described by the quote. Additionally, Iago states that it is better to be poor and have peace rather than being rich and live in anxiety.

Significance The quote reveals the malicious plans of Iago to take away the happiness of Othello. It also depicts his bad but disguised relationship with Othello. Shakespeare uses sarcasm to add meaning to the quote.

Directors decision I would present Iago as hiding something as he says this quote. He would be dressed in official regalia and would be saying his point of jealousy with feigning concern. I would add dramatic effects of on and of warnings as is something horrible is about to happen. The person who would be a good character is the one with a lot of sly languages.

Act 3 Quote 3

"I am glad I have found this napkin.

This was her first remembrance from the Moor.

My wayward husband hath a hundred times

Wooed me to steal it. But she so loves the token

(For he conjured her she should ever keep it)

That she reserves it evermore about her

To kiss and talk to. I'll have the work taken out

And give 't Iago. What he will do with it

Heaven knows, not I.

I nothing but to please his fantasy."

Speaker Emilia

Context Just before the quote, Desdemona is feeling sorry for his husband, who is having a headache and tries to wrap his forehead with a handkerchief stating that it would relieve pain, but Othello declines, and the handkerchief falls on the floor. After the quote, Iago mocks his wife concerning how she obtained the handkerchief, but she says she did not steal but picked from the floor after Desdemona dropped it.

Significance The significance of the quote is to support the theme of betrayal as don by Iago to Othello. It depicts that the character is naive and seems to be unaware of his husband's plot. It shows the strong relationship between Emilia and her husband. There would be sounds of average tune music and sign of winning on the one hand and desperation on the other

Directors I would present the character dressed in a housemaid outfit with a cooking apron around her. She would be taking with signs of great love for her husband with a naive attitude. A good character for the quote would be a naive woman who does not clearly understand the sooty heart of her husband.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. othello. Vol. 6. Classic Books Company, 2001.