William Shakespeare's "Othello" and "King Richard III"

Paper Summary:

This paper relates that Shakespeare's primary intent in "Othello" was to develop the villainous character of Iago, whose motives are represented as being highly complex and ambiguous, but villainous in the extreme. The author points out that Richard is shown to be a villain of the highest caliber, whose power-mad lust for the crown compels him to confirm his claim that, "I am determined to prove a villain." The paper concludes that Shakespeare portrays Iago and Richard in much the same light, as sociopaths who view others as merely objects representing obstacles in their path to fame and glory, which makes them villains by any definition.

From the Paper:

"However, much like Richard, Iago's ambition is the source of his villainy rather than his resentment at being overlooked for promotion, sexual jealousy or the racial prejudice he had consistently faced; rather: "A man motivated by simple jealously and hatred would have no such need. He is not inspired by pure evil and desire to torment Othello either. In reality, Iago's main motivation, born out of an inferiority complex, is a desire to heighten his sense of superiority and power." According to Agrawal, Samuel Coleridge's phrase, ". . . motive hunting of motiveless malignity," may best describe Iago's strange actions and behavior. "Motive hunting" exactly describes Iago's soliloquies. He continuously ponders over and tries to understand his emotions. It is clear that he wants to torment and destroy Othello. However, he is not sure of the motivations underlying that desire." "

More papers on William Shakespeare's "Othello" and "King Richard III":

• Analytical Essay # 65803 : "Evil in the Plays of William Shakespeare"
• Analytical Essay # 46616 : "Richard III"
• Creative Essay # 149075 : "Richard III's Seduction of Anne"

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