Does Iago Cause The Tragedy Of Othello

And Desdemona, Or Is He Merely The Catalyst Essay, Research Paper

The Shakespeare Tragedy, Othello, was written and set during

the early 17th century Venice rule.?

The play is set in Cyprus and Venice.?

There are many arguments whether Iago causes the tragedy towards the end

of the play, or whether he is merely the catalyst. To many, Iago is the most evil character in the play.? He is blamed for the tragedy of Othello and

Desdemona.? However, some do not see him

as the cause of the tragedy, but merely as a catalyst, who speeds up the rate

of the fate of Othello and Desdemona.?

This can be argued, despite there being more in favour of Iago causing

the tragedy, rather than him only being a catalyst.One factor in favour of Iago causing the tragedy is

projected throughout the play.? This

factor is the hatred that Iago has for Othello.? Although he never directly tells his motive for hating Othello,

there is definite hatred throughout the play.?

Iago repeatedly says in soliloquy:?I hate the moor?

(page 25, line 397) One motive for the hatred to Othello could be because of

Othello’s colour and race.? Othello is obviously black, and throughout

the play, Iago refers to othello using racist names.?The Moor? (page 4, line140) ?The Devil? (page 6, line 92) ? Iago hates Othello so much, that he reduces him to an

animal.? These are great insults. ?Black ram? (page 6,

line 89) ?Barbary Horse? (page

7, line 112) As well as Iago?s racism, most of the characters make racist

comments and say racist names towards Othello in the play.? The majority of the characters refer to

Othello as ?The Moor?.? In addition to

this, some characters say yet more insulting names.? Roderigo refers to Othello as: ?The Thick Lips?

(page 5, line 67) All these insults show a slight trace of hatred towards

Othello.? This hatred is not only from

Iago, but is shared by most characters, which is shown by the insults.Iago is very power hungry.?

He wanted the power of being a lieutenant that Cassio was given by

Othello.? Iago feels he should get this

power, therefore wants to eliminate Cassio, and so wants to get revenge on

Othello.Throughout the play, Iago attempts to destroy the marriage

of Othello and Desdemona.? He does this

in many ways. The most direct way of doing this is suggesting to and making

Othello believe that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio.?? This is untrue, but Othello eventually

believes it.? Othello has a slight bit

of doubt in his mind, and so asks for evidence, which Iago gives to him: a

stolen handkerchief.? Iago is also very crafty.?

He plants suspicion into Othello?s mind. He does this in many ways.? One of the very cleaver ways makes Othello

suspicious is in act 3, scene 3.?Ha! I like not that?

(page 54, line 35) This is a very cleaver and shy way that Iago makes Othello

suspicious.? He is saying that so that

it sounds like he is saying it to himself, when he is actually saying it loud

enough for Othello to hear it and make a bog deal out of it.? This is when Cassio is talking to Desdemona.Another cleaver and sly way that Iago makes Othello

suspicious is in the same scene.? He

says:?Cassio my lord? No,

sure, I cannot think it that he would sneak

away so guilty-like Seeing you come?

(page 54, lines 38 ? 40) Iago is saying this to Othello, following the leave of

Cassio.? Othello did not state that he

was suspecting Cassio would sneak away.?

Instead, Iago ?plants? this thought into Iago?s mind.? This whole suspicion adds to the facts that

are in favour of Iago causing the tragedy of Othello and Desdemona.In act 3, scene 3, Othello asks for Iago to find evidence

that asks for Iago to find evidence that Cassio is having an affair with

Desdemona.? Iago knows exactly what to

show, so he steals a handkerchief that was given to Desdemona from Othello.? Iago steals this handkerchief, and plants it

in Cassio?s chambers.? Cassio finds this

handkerchief, and gives it to Bianca.?

Othello sees this and then starts to actually have doubt in his mind

about Desdemona being a whore.Another very cleaver act that Iago performs, that leads to

the tragedy of Othello and Desdemona. Is by manipulating a conversation that he

has with Cassio. Othello is in hiding at this time.? Iago makes it out that they are talking about Desdemona, when in

fact they are talking about Bianca.?

Othello sees this the wrong way, and puts great doubt in him mind about

Desdemona.? All these so far prove that Iago caused the tragedy.? However, there are many factors, which are

in favour of Iago being a catalyst, and only speeds up the rate at which the

tragedy would have happened.? Being a

catalyst, he is not to blame but only set things in motion.The main points towards Iago acting as a catalyst, is the

distrust and suspicion that Othello has for Desdemona.? Iago just backs up his suspicion.? Br

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