Deception and Death

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the central theme within a morality play is that a devilish character referred to as vice tempts a Christian character and how Othello's vice is represented in Iago. It discusses how the loathing that Iago feels toward Othello determines and influences the actions of others throughout the play. Iago is a man driven by his desire to destroy Othello while believing his actions are vindicated because Othello has betrayed him professionally and personally without justification.

From the Paper:

"The language of the play is as diverse as the characters, containing a mixture of poetry and prose. Othello often speaks in lofty poetry while Iago speaks in prose about how vile things are around him, often using animal imagery. Iago appears to the audience in Act I and wastes little time demonstrating his anger at Othello. He openly laments to Roderigo that he is cursed in his service to Othello and he is "worth no worse a place" than in service to him. It appears to the audience that Iago, who loves to talk about himself, has been a devoted and loyal servant in Othello's army but was overlooked when Othello named his lieutenant as Cassio. He feels dishonored that his duty was not recompensed with a promotion."

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