28th Annual Student Research Conference
The Complexity of Iago in Othello
Emily L. Stogsdill
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
The motivations of a complex man like Iago is what builds depth of the, arguably, main characters in Othello and Desdemona. His actions of vengeance and betrayal bring out the insecurities of Othello, likely due to his race and title. They also bring the strength of Desdemona's personality. In Revenge: Interplay of Creative and Destructive Forces, Maxine Gower describes how only someone with a strong creative and destructive mind interplay can perform such an elaborate revenge. Iago's drive comes from a thought of infidelity and the lack of a title that he felt he deserved. Iago's will and wit allowed him to disrupt a strong relationship through skillful manipulation, keeping himself out of the line of fire and in complete control of the situation. This is a strength of mind that is not found in many.
Keywords: Shakespeare, Othello, Iago, motivation, revenge, character depth
Topic(s):English
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 304-4
Location: MG 1098
Time: 1:45