What is Iago's Philosophy to Life?

Iago's philosophy to life is that ultimately, we choose who we become. 'Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus.' [319-320] This quote shows that Iago does not believe in fate. Iago goes on to say that 'If the beam of our life had not one scale of reason, [...] [we'd] conduct most preposterous conclusions. [325-329] This suggests that Iago follows reason more than he does fate as without reason, we'd make incredibly poor decisions. Thus, Iago's philosophy is to follow reason and will. This could be because it allows Iago to justify his actions towards Othello, his reason is to exert revenge and his will is to gain the promotion that he 'deserves'.

I agree with Iago to an extent, while I believe in the basic principles of this philosophy, it too cannot exist without reason or context, it is hard to judge whether a reason is enough to justify our wills. Iago states that he couldn't give a 'fig' to morality as it hinders our progress, but I believe this is not the case as a life without morals would lead to 'preposterous conclusions'. This point can then be seen as contradictory to his philosophy and suggests that Iago is a flawed character.

Bruce

what genre of tragedy does act 2 of Othello fit best?

Throughout the entire act, I saw a combination of both Shakespearean and Revenge tragedy. However, the act best fit into a Shakespearean tragedy as all types of this tragedy share an array of common features. I was able to point out the three main features including;the fatal flaw,the bigger they are the harder they fall and external pressure, which will be analysed and explored through evidences within the act.

• The fatal flaw:  Throughout this scene, we see a major chracter Cassio and his flaw of drinking "not tonight good Iago i have very poor brains and unhappy brains for drinking", where Shakespeare gives Cassio as a reasonable explantion for his 'weakness' . We see that at the end of the act, this flaw leads to him loosing his reputation amoung the other chracters and his post as Othello's lieutenant. Giving Caasio this weakness, acts as a device for Iago to talk him into forgetting it at once "what man! Tis a night of revels,the gallants desire it". We will see later on in the feature of external pressure where Iago cleverly pressures both Caasio and Mantano(former governer of Cyprus) at the same time. The introduction of the theme ' reality vs appearance' also brings about a flaw in "honest Iago". Within this act, Iago says that reputation is what others think of you , in the play this proves to be false. Iago is called honest many times in the play, where he himself, admits this to  the audience whom becomes aware of his deceitfulness through his Soliloquies at the end of each scene in the act. Othello also posses a fatal flaw as within this scene we him becoming very easily deceived which later leads to the tragic ending of the play- killing his wife Desdemona and later himself.

• The bigger they are the harder they fall: within scene 1 of act 2, the audience see's Montano's regard for Othello as well as Cassio's concern for him. This builds the picture of how greatly love and respected Othello is as a commander. However, his use of imagery through the  'sea' to talk about love and life can almost me seen as dramatic irony "if it were to die,Twere now to be most happy, for I fear my soul  hath her content...that another comfort like this succeeds in unknown fate". The irony of this is that Othello does say what would happen if he was to become aware of his wife's infidelity. This further prepares the audience of the tragic ending and the downfall of Othello.

• External pressure: picking up from Othello's ironic speech of the 'sea' in comparison to life and love, the audience see's external pressure from Iago where use of the word "discords" (which is the Elizabethan idea of heavenly harmony, healing or symbolism of love), his intentions are to "untune" the instrument by altering the "pegs". This adds emphasis to Othello's' down fall and how pressure form one character cause an emphasis on the danger, the disturbance will represent to the city, throughout the play. From the perspective of Cassio and his fatal flaw,Iago dialogue with Montano, manages to cast doubts on both Cassio's character and Othello's command while Iago retains his reputation of being an "honest" and loyal friend to both. In addition to his, through Iago's soliloquies, the audience see's that his prime victim is Othello as Iago tries to build a relationship of trust between himself and Othello. A very important symbolism from the fight between Cassio and Montano caused by Iago is "blood". Blood can be seen as passion or emotion which contrast wit judgement. In Othello's opening speech of the event, "now by heaven",  it shows that the primitive side of nature is taking over, and the civilised side, contributed by Venice is being over rules. They are no longer in Venice, they are in Cyprus.

Revenge tradgy does play and important part as we see the use of psychical  approach by Cassio toward Mantano. The audience also gets the feel that  revenge is being played toward Othello by Iago because, of  Iago had not received the post in the Venice society which he wished for.

Iago's speech 310-360. What is his philosophy to life? Give evidence. Do you agree? Yes?Why not?

Iago's philosophy to life is no morality as he thinks it is 'a fig'. He also doesn't believe in love, only lust and passion that your will has allowed free rein. 'A permission of the will' (line 334-335). Iago's philosophy is also to better yourself in life and show people a disguise and not the real you. 'Put money in thy purse' (line 341). 'Defeat thy favour with an usurped beard' (line 340). He also thinks the bad of everyone as he encourages Roderigo to have sex 'enjoy' (line 357) with Desdemona rather than commit suicide. I don't agree with this because it seems iago doesn't trust no one so he must be a lonely man with no one to love. He also enjoys money but money can't buy you happiness.

Picture #1:

Comment on how the setting of Act 1, Scenes 1-3 help Shakespeare prepare the reader for tragedy.

Shakespeare begins the play in Venice, "Venice was one of the most powerful and civilised states of Europe" due to it's high commercialism, sophisticated comunnity and way of living. However, this patriotic, civilised society had a downside...

- Othello is the only black man in the play and could be considered an outside however, Othello is also a general with high authority whom is respected by many. However, Venice suffered from racial discrimination so it is not surprising when Othello receives racial discrimination i.e. being refered to as the "moore" and not his real name, "devil", "thick lips"; these racist comments are seen throughout Act 1. Later in the play, one of Iago's reasons on why Desdeomna would cheat is because Othello is black. In my opinion, setting the play in Venice allows Iago to play on his race and use it to create conflict which is a convection of tragedy.

- The courtroom also gave a sense of authority; the duke uses logic to sort the problem with Othello, Desdeomona and her father. This authority highlights that Venice is a place of law and a place where problems can be fixed juxtaposing the lawless land of Cuprus.


The play moves to Cyprus where war is supposedly happening. Cyprus is isolated and far from Authority which causes problems for the protaganist, Othello...

-Cyprus allows Iago to manipulate Othello because Iago can cause conflict between characters and become more closer to Othello, Othello has no choice but to fall into the trap of Iago as nobody is there to tell him otherwise. Due to this, it reveals Othello's tragic flaw of his poor judgement and naiveity which is a convection of tragedy. Othello could have trusted Desdeomona and Cassio however, he falls into Iago's deceiving trap and lets his emotions overcome him.

Comment on how the setting of Act 1-3 helps Shakespeare prepare the reader for tragedy

Comment on how the setting of Act 1-3 helps Shakespeare prepare the reader for tragedy?


The setting is important for preparing the reader for tragedy in Act 1 through the fact that the scene's events are held in darkness. The effect of the events occurring after light, creates an eerie, dark theme which accentuates the status of the situations. For example, the situation of Iago plotting to bring about the downfall of Othello and Brabantio's subsequent hate for him through his intentions of marrying his daughter all occur during the night. This emphasises to the reader the conflict Othello has between many characters in the play, making tragedy more likely to occur.


As a common template for tragedies is having a protagonist 'falling from grace' due to a fatal flaw, Othello being black at this time could be viewed as a flaw.This is shown due to the play being set in Venice and provokes a sense of 'isolation' through Othello being black in  a predominantly white country. With isolation being a theme of 'tragedy' this is immediately emphasised through the racial comments he receives such as 'Barbary horse' which shows he is viewed as an 'outsider' by certain characters.

Comment on how the setting of Act 1 Scenes 1-3 helps Shakespeare prepare the reader for tragedy

William Shakespeare’s Othello opens up on a street in Venice with the two characters Roderigo (a rich yet immoral gentleman) and Iago (a prestigious soldier) having an argument. The play is one of two plays where Shakespeare uses Venice as a prime setting, the other being The Merchant of Venice. In both scripts, Shakespeare portrays Venice as a commercially fulfilled city, where the people chase after the luxurious life. In 1602, when the play was written, Venice was the cultural and economic heart of Europe. It was looked upon as a place of riches and culture by those in England. Shakespeare used Venice to talk about English issues subliminally without it being too obvious, had he done this he would have been dealt with the higher powers.

Scene II begins in Othello’s lodgings. Here, Iago warns Othello that Brabantio (Desdemona’s father) will not hesitate to attempt a forced divorce between him and Desdemona. Casio brings Othello the message that he is wanted by the Duke of Venice, a matter concerning Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean Sea, controlled by Venice. This builds up tragedy immediately, in the sense we get the feeling that Othello going to war as part of his services will be the perfect lure into Iago causing the havoc he intends to cause.

Scene 3 is set in a Council Chamber. The Duke and Senators are having a meeting about the war they are about to face with the Turks. The military meeting is interrupted with the arrival of Othello, Cassio, Iago, Roderigo and the other officers. Brabantio then demands that all state matters be put aside so that he can address his own issues regarding his daughter been misguided by ‘charms’. Othello is the one being accused; the Duke gives him room to speak. Othello owns up to marrying Desdemona but denies putting any spell on her. Desdemona arrives defending her husband and notes she must resign all duties from her father to her now husband, Othello. The meeting returns to state matters, Othello is told to prepare for voyage and asks for arrangements to be made for his wife to accompany him. Everyone leaves but Roderigo and Iago, Roderigo pretty much says that his chances with Desdemona are done but Iago knowingly disagrees, convincing Roderigo to strive on. Roderigo leaves and Iago delivers his first soliloquy declaring his hatred for Othello. Here, tragedy is set and he speaks of his plan to dupe Roderigo out of his money and convince Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair, using Othello’s good nature to bring him to his own very demise. 

Importance of Setting in Act 1 Sc 3 - Abigail K

Abigail KFeb 4, 2012 01:08 AM

The setting of act 1 scenes 1-3 helps Shakespeare to establish tragedy as he sets the character of Othello up as an outsider. The play is set in Venice, the cultural and economic heart of Europe in 1602 and as oppose to the many Venetians in this play, Othello is a 'Moor' and therefore an outsider as shown by his eloquent speech in which he refers to the court as 'Most potent,grave and reverend signor's. Shakespeare highlights Othello's differences through the setting to form the idea that as outsider, he doesn't want to be taken for a fool, therefore establishing tragedy as this gives reason to why Othello becomes so paranoid and willing to believe Iago's claims about Desdemona's adultery.

In addition, the setting of the Court room allows Shakespeare to set up tragedy as it means that a main convention of tragedy- isolation doesn't take place, which juxtaposes against the situation in Cyprus later on in the play. The Court room is full of 'noble and approved good masters',this shows that lots of people are watching,therefore no one character can be isolated. However this changes when they go to Cyprus to fight the Turks who were seen as barbaric in the 17th Century. The removal of the Duke,war,the respect and structure of the Venetian society and Desdemonda not standing up for herself in Cyprus allows tragedy to happens. Consequently, this exposition highlights that the removal of these things later will cause tragedy. This helps Shakespeare to establish tragedy as reference to Freytag's Triangle foreshadows that the play is going to be a tragedy.

Moreover, the Courts symbolism of the hierarchical society in Venice also helps Shakespeare establish tragedy as it sets Othello up as a protagonist of upper class. The fact that the Duke describes Othello as 'valiant Othello' shows that he is well respected and has a high position in the Court.This helps Shakespeare establish tragedy as through the setting, he depicts Othello as a protagonist of high estate, therefore illustrating a convention of Shakespearean Tragedy.