We knew at the very beginning of Othello that Iago was absolutely brilliant. His performance was breathtaking throughout the whole play. Don’t be fooled though, we can all agree we hated Iago once or twice throughout the play—maybe it was the hatred held towards him that made us love him more. All of Iago’s schemes and lies weren’t 100% his doing. If it wasn’t for his wife Emilia and that darned handkerchief— the drama would have never unfolded like it did. What’s a Shakespeare play without drama?
When proposed with the question, “Who is to blame for the tragic outcome of this play?”, Iago’s name should come immediately to mind. First of all, can we please take note of how impressive it was how he constantly maintained his “Honest Iago” status? Brilliant! We can all agree that at the beginning of the play, we didn’t understand Iago’s strange, evil methods. First we saw him side with Roderigo on winning Desdemona, and then we saw him all buddied up with Othello. Then of course that shocking line where Iago tells Roderigo, “I have told thee often, and I retell thee again and again, I hate the Moor” (Act 1 Scene 3, lines 407-409). As rightly so, we considered Iago evil. Who wouldn’t? The guy is betraying his best friend because Othello gave Cassio the Lieutenant position and he has suspicion that Emilia cheated on Iago with him. What ever happened to confronting someone with your concerns?
Iago’s scheming leads him to all the places he wants to go. He is on good terms with Othello, and pretty much everyone else around him. Everyone admires him, especially for his honesty (wink). One person in particular admires him so much, that she would do anything to gain his attention. Emilia, his dear wife stoops to a whole new level. The famous Handkerchief scene finally comes into play! So, before this scene happens, Iago plants the idea that Desdemona is cheating on Othello with Cassio into Othello’s head. When Iago goes to “spy” and find out more information about the matter, he just happens to run into some good luck. Emilia happened to be an innocent bystander when Desdemona dropped her handkerchief when trying to sooth Othello. Emilia recalls how her “wayward husband hath a hundred times Wooed me to steal it” (Act 3 Scene 3, lines 336-337). Emilia is desperate for Iago’s attention, so without even considering why Iago wanted her to steal it, she picks it up and gives it to him. Unfortunately for Emilia, after handing over the prized possession, Iago shows no appreciation. Instead he snatches it away and tells Emilia, “I have use for it. Go, leave me” (Shakespeare, line 368). Emilia, of course doesn’t even realize the catastrophe she just created.
Without Emilia picking up the handkerchief, the accusation of Desdemona cheating on Othello would have never really progressed because of the lack of evidence Iago would of had. Iago plants the seed and Emilia waters the roots causing the flower (plan) to grow. The two worked as a team, whether Emilia knew it or not—she betrayed both Desdemona and Othello. Just as Iago wanted, Othello loses his mind. Once again, Iago helps this situation by constantly confronting Othello with the issue. When Othello tells Iago, “Get me some poison, Iago, this night. I’ll not expostulate with her lest body and beauty unprovide my mind again. This night, Iago” (Act 4 Scene 1, lines 223-225), Iago jumps right in with, “Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated” (Act 4 Scene 1, lines 226-227). WHOA! The fact that he can say something like that to Othello, and have Othello listen to him, supports the fact that he has the whole plan under control. He even moves on to having Roderigo fight with Cassio, and stabs Cassio without Cassio knowing it was Iago. Let’s not forget Roderigo’s death either! Are you impressed yet? Come on, give the guy some credit, that is pretty sneaky!
Even though Iago and Emilia didn’t luck out in the end, they are 100% to blame for the tragic outcome of this play. They do deserve an applause though, because come on, their whole performance was pretty darn impressive. We do also have to give some credit to the handkerchief, because without it, all this drama and tragedy wouldn’t have happened.
No comments:
Post a Comment