Essay About Hostility Of Iago And Play Shifts

Good Vs. Evil
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As the play opens we are immediately introduced to the hostility of Iago against Othello. Iago has been appointed the
position of servant to Othello instead of the more prestigious
position of lieutenant. Michael Cassio has been appointed
this position. Iago feels betrayed because he considers him self more qualified than Cassio to serve as lieutenant. Iago
then foreshadows his plans for Othello to Roderigo, “O, sir, content you. / I follow him to serve my turn upon him (Act I,
Scene I)”. Iago already realizes that Othello thinks about him as an honest man. Roderigo is used by Iago as an
apprentence and someone to do his “dirty” work. Roderigo is naively unsuspecting. As the play shifts from Venice to
Cyprus there is an interesting contrast. Venice, a respectful and honourable town is overshadowed by the war torn
villages of Cyprus. It could be said that Venice represents good or specfically Desdemona and that Cyprus represents
evil in Iago. Desdemona has been taken from her peacefullness and brought onto the grounds of evil. Iago commits his
largest acts of deceit in Cyprus, fittingly considering the atmosphere. Ironically, the venetians feel the Turks are their only
enemy while in fact Iago is in hindsight the one man who destroys their stable state. Act II Scene III shows Iagos willing
ability to manipulate characters in the play. Iago convinces Montano to inform Othello of Cassios weakness for alchohol
hoping this would rouse dissatisfaction