iago critics

Simon Bubb

'Iago chooses...silence.' Bubb argues that Iago's most powerful tool of manipulation is his voice, and that even in his silence he is manipulative. He suggests that in Othello, Shakespeare explores the terrifying ability of the power of language, and how it can be used by characters to 'manipulate and control others for their own evil purposes'. Furthermore, the audience is able to become more familiar with Iago than any other character, as he the most soliloquies and asides, which allows him to establish a more intimate relationship with the audience. At the end of the play, when he cannot 'outrun the consequences of his actions', and can 'do no more damage', he chooses to remain silent when asked to explain himself, which leaves him with some element of control, even in his desolate state. This is supported by the text, as the audience become most familiar with Iago, and almost a part of his scheming, because of his interaction with the audience through the use of soliloquies and asides.

Sean McEovy

-Iago is even able to manipulate the audience -his frequent use of soliloquies and asides mean the audience become 'COMPLICIT IN IAGO'S INTENTION' and are involved in his 'VENGEFUL PLOTTING' LINK TO KIERNAN RYAN

Kiernan Ryan

-Iagos most disturbing quality is that he is 'THEATRICALLY IRRESISTABLE' and not that he is 'AN UNFATHOMABLE PSYCHOPATH' -his language becomes like othellos, he is incredibly good at manipulating THEMES: power of language, honesty, power, appearance vs reality LINK TO SEAN McEOVY

Daniel Wright - MARXIST CRITC

-argues that overall, the play highlights the destructive consequences of a hierarchical social class system, which exploits and oppresses the working class 'TERRORS INFLICTED ON THE EXPLOITED AND OPPRESSED IN ... CLASS-BIASED AUTHORITY' THEMES: class, power, social hierarchy LINK TO TREVOR ROFF

Alexandra Melville

-iagos extreme misogyny is the preserve of villains in Jacobean drama. -his rage against female sexuality is an example of his 'SPITEFUL ATTACKS ON OTHERNESS TO SOOTHE HIS SENSE OF SOCIAL IMPORTANCE' THEMES: the other, social class relationships, women

Trevor Roff

-if iago had succeeded he would have not only become 'PERMENANTLY BETTER OFF', he would have also been promoted to lieutenant and 'ELEVATED TO UPPER CLASS' -his failure reinforces the importance of 'MORALITY BEFORE MATERIALISM', on which basis the ruling class can survive - othello is a play obsessed with social class and hierarchy and this is reflected in Iagos motivations LINK TO DANIEL WRIGHT

Samuel Taylor coleridge (1818)

-known for describing Iagos many soliloquies as 'MOTIVELESS MALIGNITY' -believes Iago is 'EVIL FOR THE SAKE OF BEING EVIL' - coleridge believes that Iago has no motives for his desire to destroy Othello, instead he is evil for evils sake - although it appears that Iago is acting from 'motiveless malignity' at first in othello, like coleridge suggests, who believes he is 'evil for the sake of being evil', Shakespeare presents many reasons for Iago's evil machinations, however it is unclear whether it is one or multiple reasons that finally cause him to act. THEMES: power, appearance vs reality, jealousy, honour, reputation ​

Fintan O'Toole

-racism has entered Othellos 'MIND AND SOUL', and Iago is able to manipulate him because of this. -'IAGO'S BRILLIANCE LIES NOT IN WHAT HE PUTS IN OTHELLO'S MIND, BUT WHAT HE DRAINS OUT' - othellos self-doubt, self-hatred and internalized racism means Iago can easily use this to influence and manipulate him THEMES: racism, power