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Iago
Apr 30, 2002 22:05:17 GMT -5
Post by inhiding on Apr 30, 2002 22:05:17 GMT -5
I just finished reading Othello, and WOW. Iago is just.... insane in a way. I mean, he is playing everybody. I know this is obvious to most of you since you have already read it, but I am still taken aback by the fact of how mean spirited he is. Like he doesn't have a soul. I have seen this same character used in several other places as well, but I can't quite put my finger on it. I just know that this character is familiar. Does anyone here know any examples of characters in modern settings like in movies where his character is used?
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Iago
Apr 30, 2002 22:43:19 GMT -5
Post by Harry on Apr 30, 2002 22:43:19 GMT -5
Well, aside from the movie "O" (which is simply Othello in modern dress), I'm not sure that Iago is used directly. However, any movie with a manipulative character who plots evil for its own reward can be thought of as an Iago.
One of Shakespeare's great strengths is that his characters are so real. We know them. I'm sure you've seen characters in movies that are like Iago.
Maybe you should look into Christopher Marlowe's The Jew of Malta. Marlowe was a contemporary of Shakespeare (they were almost precisely the same age), but he started writing plays several years before Shakespeare and died just as Shakespeare was getting started. Marlowe's Jew is a monster who is into recreational murder and well-poisoning. In many ways, Shakespeare's monsters (Iago is one but isn't the best example) are descendants of Marlowe's Jew.
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Iago
May 1, 2002 1:44:14 GMT -5
Post by shaxper on May 1, 2002 1:44:14 GMT -5
I would definately suggest you read Richard III, or at least see the 1995 film with Ian McKellan. The entire play consists of Richard manipulating and destroying people through the same kind of tactics Iago uses, until he is (necessarily) undone in the end.
Iago is a personal favorite of mine as well for the very same reason. His cleaverness and risk taking force me to become highly interested in him (and even root for him at times) even though what he's doing is terribly wrong. Iago is the kind of character we refer to as a "Machiavel", a scheming, deceitful evil character who believes that "the ends justify the means", or rather that it doesn't matter who you step on or what you do to get to the top. We'd be happy to tell you more about it if you're interested.
(Thanks for starting this topic!)
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Iago
May 1, 2002 18:18:15 GMT -5
Post by Bardolph on May 1, 2002 18:18:15 GMT -5
I used to describe Iago as a sociopath, a person incapable of empathy of any kind. An actor in another site turned me onto Harold C Goddard. I had read his analysis of the play but had missed the brief show of tenderness that makes Iago a more dynamic character. It comes after Desdamona appeals to Iago directly for understanding of Othello's disturbed condition. Iago is almost turned from his purpose. So rather than a sociopath, he's a character whose sense of pity is forced so deep inside himself that he is beyond redemption. This little glimmer of a conscience makes him a more dynamic and interesting character. It makes easier to identify him with people that we know.
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Iago
May 24, 2002 10:19:49 GMT -5
Post by shaxper on May 24, 2002 10:19:49 GMT -5
What I find most interesting about Iago is that he keeps coming up with different explanations for why he does what he does to Othello and Desdamona. Shakespeare's other machiavellians, Edmond and Richard III, both outright state that they do so because they are a bastard and deformed, respectively, and that they can't get what they want in the world through any other means.
Iago, on the other hand, is neither of these things, and his reasons keep changing. Is he trying to convince the audience that he has[i/] a just reason for doing what he does, or is he trying to convince himself?
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Iago
May 24, 2002 10:30:34 GMT -5
Post by Ganymede on May 24, 2002 10:30:34 GMT -5
I think Iago tries to convince both the audience and himself. Iago seems to be a deeply troubled character. Othello becomes the scapegoat for his problems, possibly because of the strong feelings Iago has for Othello (both positive and negative). Although the film version of Othello in which Branagh plays Iago is flawed, I enjoyed his interpretation of him. In this film, Iago seems to be motivated by his "love" for Othello and jealousy of Desdemona. By destroying both Othello and Desdemona Iago may be trying to purge his love for them both. Yet, even this motive is too simple. Iago seems to have many motives, all tangled together. He is an incredibly complex character, and consequently one of my all time favorites. Even though he's a villain, I can relate to his feelings, even if I don't ever act on them in the way that he does.
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Iago
Jun 13, 2002 15:34:23 GMT -5
Post by MelanieS on Jun 13, 2002 15:34:23 GMT -5
I am one of those people who haven't read all WS's plays, but what I do is I stand in front of a video camera every day for 15 minutes, and act out scenes from various plays. I don't usually watch the video tape, it's just for "training" purposes, and often I "do" Shakespeares plays because it's the best way to read them - to perform them out loud. At the moment I'm almost finished with Othello, which I hadn't read till then. It's a great play, very "actable." I remember reading somewhere that Lawrence Olivier and John Giulgud tried presenting a homo-erotic relationship between Iago and Othello at a performance, and dropped it when Edith Evans said "I couldn't imagine what you two were trying to do when you were writhing around on the floor like that". Iago explains at the start of the play that he is resentful of not being promoted but later on says he has heard that Othello has slept with his wife Emilia, and gives this as the reason for his nasty behaviour. Considering the despicable way he treats his wife, his jealousy is a very weak argument. What surprised me was that everyone considered Iago to be so honest. (For Brutus is an honourable man). Of course, without that, suspicion would immediately fall on his head, and the plot wouldn't work. MelanieS
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Iago
Jun 15, 2002 1:11:33 GMT -5
Post by Bardolator on Jun 15, 2002 1:11:33 GMT -5
Ganymede: Even though he's a villain, I can relate to his feelings, even if I don't ever act on them in the way that he does.
Amen, but jealousy can so some bad things to people. Take me for instance...
Not to get too personal but I've experienced intense professional and personal jealousy before. I'm not proud of it, I consider myself way beyond it (this was years ago) so I'll spare the particulars... but reading Othello for a class this Spring, I was reminded of that bad time.
Iago was a man of war. He was the flagbearer, right? He's the guy that dies rather than have the colors taken by the enemy. Imagine his initial reaction when hearing the news of Cassio's promotion. I knew a guy who thought he had his dream job lined up--he did everything right, stayed loyal... and they gave it to someone from way outside the business. I was there when someone asked him what his reaction was after getting the news and he said, "Somewhere between devastated and pissed." I think that's Iago's reaction to Othello's news that he's not the man for the job.
Charles Dutton said that Cassio was Dan Quayle. I wouldn't say that but he's clearly not the warrior Iago is. And I think Iago can't bear to see Othello get literally everything he appears to lack--love in marriage and the respect of all. His initial goal is to break-up the marriage which he fails to do... but his cause keeps moving forward, he keeps improvising and he keeps getting results that, I think, he couldn't have imagined getting at the beginning of the play. I don't agree at all that he's evil incarnate though Bob Hoskin's remark that he's "A nasty bastard" certainly applies.
And, of course, these views can change by tomorrow. He's one of Shakespeare's inexhaustable characters and therefore a lot of fun to think about and talk about.
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Iago
Jun 16, 2002 13:29:07 GMT -5
Post by Ganymede on Jun 16, 2002 13:29:07 GMT -5
Bardolator, I love your take on Iago. I totally agree. I think everyone goes through times of feeling intense jealousy. That's why Iago's character is so real. We can relate to the man, (hopefully) if not the actions. And those of us who are familiar with jealousy know that it isn't always a rational feeling, which means it can't always be explained with a direct reason. You make an excellent point about Iago's progression throughout the play. When his first plan fails, he keeps altering his strategy until finally he works for Othello's ultimate destruction, which gives Iago a sense of power and control over something, if not his own happiness, then the unhappiness of others. Often, Iago is seen as evil incarnate, but as a human being, he too changes throughout the play, but perhaps more subtly than the other characters.
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Iago
Jun 16, 2002 13:36:00 GMT -5
Post by shaxper on Jun 16, 2002 13:36:00 GMT -5
Iago's is a hidden personality. He hides from others, but also from himself and the audience. His shifting and "evolving" (if that term is appropriate here) are subtle for these reasons. Bardolator, I'm impressed by your take on Iago as well. I'd never realy seen him in that light. My only question would be, if Iago was the flag bearer, wouldn't that make him less of a trained soldier and less likely to be promoted. I think it's no accident that he has possibly the single noblest job out on the field, but he's not a fighter nor a leader; just a flag bearer. Perhaps there's a contemptable irony in that which Iago is aware of.
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Iago
Jun 16, 2002 22:09:25 GMT -5
Post by Harry on Jun 16, 2002 22:09:25 GMT -5
The Ensign (Ancient), or flag (ensign) bearer, had a very important job. He was expected to lead the charge when the regiment attacked and to defend the regimental colors. His flag was a visible rallying point for the soldiers in his regiment, and a target for the enemy. I'd say he did have to be the best soldier in the regiment.
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The_Turtle
Denizen
Nay, faith, let not me play a woman; I have a beard coming
Posts: 52
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Iago
Jun 17, 2002 9:42:22 GMT -5
Post by The_Turtle on Jun 17, 2002 9:42:22 GMT -5
Does anyone here know any examples of characters in modern settings like in movies where his character is used? If I am not mistaken, he is the parrot in Disney's Aladdin.
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Iago
Jul 4, 2002 2:12:47 GMT -5
Post by shaxper on Jul 4, 2002 2:12:47 GMT -5
Iago's a tough one because modern day theatre and cinema tends to enjoy creating characters with clear motives. It's probably Freud's fault. Nearly every bad guy either has a scene towards the begining, showing how they evolve into a villain, or gets a monologue in which he/she explains his/her motives and origin. Modern audiences no longer tolerate a vilain who refuses to be so clearly defined. We never really know exactly why Iago acts as he does (though modern productions often attempt to explain his motives). There's a power in that uncertainty, and I think that power scares people. So I can't really think of anyone who fits the mold. Very good question. I'd be curious to know if anyone else can think of an example.
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