Compare and contrast the characters of Iago and Othello in Shakespeare's Othello - Research Paper Example

In Western Literature, the protagonist of the Shakespeare’s play ‘Othello’ is considered the first black central character ever adopted in the play. This is one of the famous characters Shakespeare worked out during his writing career. In the initial stages of the play, the author beautifully dramatizes Othello’s character with love, warmth and grace. Shakespeare portrays his character as a noble guy- who was not only a loving husband but also a respected and celebrated war hero. He was an expressive person who was a fluent storyteller.

However, at the closing stages of the play, Othello has come forward as an irrational, jealous and violent husband who was getting insane and finally murdered his own wife because of his extreme envy towards Lago who convinced Othello that his wife Desdemona became unfaithful to him. On the other hand, Lago- one of the most mysterious and disreputable character of the play seems to spend most of his time, from the beginning of the play, in plotting and scheming against Othello and his wife Desdemona.

In the end of the play, the villain- Lago became successful in his deeds to convince Othello that his wife is no more faithful to him. He persuaded Othello to understand that his wife has been continuously cheating Othello- from the very beginning of their wedlock. Despite the plot, Lago has created, Desdemona was completely faithful. However, here it can be clearly observed that Othello was a noble guy but the circumstances changed his personality and poisoned him with extreme bitterness that came to an end with Desdemona’s murder.

On the other hand, Lago was a cruel villain from the very beginning. His unkindness and meanness can be seen from the very start. He believes on absurd way of living and induces annihilation for people whom he knows the best. His character in the play does not portray any sort of motivation for the readers. As far as Othello’s status in Venice is concerned, he started his career as a traveler who traveled long distances. In the initial stages he had been sold as a slave as well. From there he escaped and finally moved towards Venice where he rushed for his career and finally ended up with a glowing status of military commander.

As far as Othello’s character is concerned in the city of Italy- Venice, it can be observed that his character was quite complicated to understand there. He was not only an insider but an outsider at the same time. He was a Christian by religion who was an experienced commander in military as well. He was not only admired by people but by the Senate and the Duke as well. However, it was a fact that he was a black Moor at the same time and not the local habitant of Venice. This causes racism issues, time to time, for Othello especially the father of his wife always considers his marriage with Desdemona as a result of his tricks towards her.

Desdemona’s father believes that Othello enchanted her daughter with magic spells and foul charms. In this play, it can be observed that many characters refer Othello as a “devil”- “old black ram” and a “thick- lips” person. It is referred that Othello just inspired the lady because of his hyper- sexuality. At that point Lago showed his character and referred Othello as a ‘devil.’ He induced aggression in Brabantio that he would surely be a “grandsire” of devil like black babies.

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