Iago’s Alter Ego Essay - 615 Words

A Look at Janet Adelman’s Critical Essay, â€Å"Iago’s Alter Ego: Race as projection in Othello† In Janet Adelman’s critical reading of Othello, she tries to identify racial issues in the sub-text, specifically explaining the actions of the title character through the psychoanalytic theory. She believes that Othello is a victim of the racist society in which he was emerged once he married Desdemona. With no other review of himself available, it begins to define his actually personality, leading to a tragic end. As Othello begins looking at his dark skin as an unfortunate â€Å"stain† he feels unworthy of Desdemona, which makes it easier for him to believe that she had been unfaithful with someone more deserving of her. Janet Adelman focuses her†¦show more content†¦Another act that was changed by Adelman’s view was the following scene, in which Iago rouses Brabantio’s racist tendencies by reporting that â€Å"Even now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe.† (1.2 88-89) I knew that Iago was wishing to cause problems for the Moor, but the contrast of black and white is pointed out several times, hinting at a deliberate manipulation of Brabantio’s acceptance of Othello. I believe Adelman is successful in her idea that Iago is the main source of the racism that shapes Othello’s own mind in the end, and his reasoning behind the destruction is jealousy. She gives examples from the beginning to the very last scene, in which Iago’s final plan falls apart. Although he manipulates Othello into killing his wife, he is not able to fully corrupt him, as he states â€Å"An honorable murder if you will; for naught did I in hate, but all in honor.† (5.2.) She also points out that Iago’s plan was a failure from the beginning because by destroying the thing that he envied, he no longer has an object to be jealous of. This destroys his twisted sense of â€Å"I†, and as Adelman concludes â€Å"from this time forth he will never speak aShow MoreRelatedIagos Alter Ego : The Existential Villain946 Words   |  4 Pagesexistential outlook allowing him to go against any morals necessary to defeat get what he wants. One of the brilliant ways Shakespeare foreshadows Iago is in his name. In Janet Adelman’s article â€Å"Iago’s Alter Ego: Race Projection in Othello†, she explains how Iago comes from the Latin root â€Å"Ego†, showing Iago’s character follows an egocentric philosophy meaning he has little or no regard for interests, beliefs, or attitudes other than ones own. This also explains why Othello decided not to give IagoRead MoreOthello : A Symbiotic Relationship1403 Words   |  6 PagesDesdemona, by marrying her he is escalated to a higher social position which further inflates his ego and his need for self-gratification. His trauma and pain and the notion of her unfaithfulness illustrates his deep love for her, yet on a deeper psychological level, Desdemona â€Å"feeds his pride and idealised image† in the words of critic _______. Thus, when Desdemona’s alleged unfaithfulness threatens his fragile ego, he murders her. This idea is further backed up by critic D.R Godfrey who claims that whenRead MoreEssay on Justice and Injustice in Othello1170 Words   |  5 PagesJustice and Injustice in Othello        Ã‚  Ã‚   In the Tragedy of Othello, by William Shakespeare, a great injustice is done to the main character, Othello the Moor. Othello is manipulated by the villain Iago to satiate Iago’s need for control and his desire for revenge. Othello the General has promoted another, Cassio, to hold the position that Iago feels he deserves. For the injustice that Iago feels has been committed against him, he brings about the destruction of Othello and his wife, DesdemonaRead More Human Frailty in Othello Essay1544 Words   |  7 Pagesstranger to Venetian society, even a vague inkling that he is only a body used to fight may lead to insecurity that only exacerbates the deep-seeded, pre-existing insecurities. It is his deep insecurity which allows Iago to so completely exploit him. Iagos explicit imagery of hypothetical scenes between Cassio and Desdemona hit the mark-- Othello becomes incensed and also reminded that he is older than Desdemona (3. 3. 400-401).      Ã‚  Ã‚   He lacks the critical intelligence to doubt Iago, becauseRead MoreRacism in Othello by William Shakespeare Essay1235 Words   |  5 Pagesdifference and Moorish features made him feel alone and he felt like the world was against him. Lastly, Othello’s race and the racism around him made him an easy target to be manipulated by Iago. Othello walked right into Iago’s trap. Othello did exactly what Iago wanted him to do. Iago’s racism originated from his envy of Othello’s position and achievements. By insulting Othello’s race, Iago recognizes that he has an approach to control Othello’s life and take his spot by manipulating him using his raceRead More Villains, Sin, and Sex in Shakespeares Othello and King Lear1443 Words   |  6 Pageshis house, we see for the first time, Iagos blatant use of sexuality for his own means. While Roderigo is a gentleman, and polite, Iago is crude. Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise! Awake the snorting citizens with the bell, or else the devil will make a grandsire of you. Arise, I say! (AI, SI, L 88-92) This blatantly graphic imagery is used to not only grab the senators attention, but set the t one of Iagos tactics. When Roderigos pleas with BrabantioRead More Impact of Race in Othello Essay1267 Words   |  6 Pagesand degrades him to a barbarian. Othello is driven mad by the force of Iagos suggestions, indicating that he is merely a victim of another mans jealousy. Works Cited 1 Norman Sanders, ed. Othello. Cambridge: New York, 1995: 12. 2 C. W. Slights. Slaves and Subjects in Othello, Shakespeare Quarterly v48 Winter 1997: 382. 3 C. W. Slights. 380. 4 Norman Sanders, ed. 10. 5 J. Adelman. Iagos Alter Ego: Race as Projection in Othello, Shakespeare Quarterly v48 Summer 1997:Read More The Character of Othello Essay2144 Words   |  9 Pagescontrasted with Iagos free-flowing and early-established taste for revenge and punishment, alleviates Othello from responsibility. Surely, Othello has wronged and is to be held reprehensible--with his death--but even this is a self-inflicted injury rather than a punishment which is judicially meted out, unlike what we are led to believe Iago will suffer.    In Shakespeare’s tragedy of Othello, we see Othello move through a character progression as he becomes consumed with Iago’s connivings andRead MoreThe Protagonist in Willima Shakespeare ´s Othello810 Words   |  4 PagesThe Moor of Venice. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. â€Å"Othello, The Moor of Venice.† Literature and the Writing Process. Backpack Edition. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan et al. Boston: Longman, 2011. 585-669 Print. Adelman, Janet. Iagos Alter Ego: Race As Projection In Othello. Shakespeare Quarterly 48.2 (1997): 125. Academic Search Premier. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. Little Jr., Arthur L. `An Essence Thats Not Seen: The Primal Scene Of Racism In Othello. Shakespeare Quarterly 44.3 (1993):Read MoreEssay about Othello’s Evil Character3206 Words   |  13 Pagesvictims around him.    In The Riverside Shakespeare Frank Kermode explains the type of evil peculiar to the ancient:    Over the ancient figure of the Vice – a familiar shape for abstract evil – Iago wears the garb of a modern devil. Iago’s naturalist ethic, as expounded to Roderigo at the close of Act I, is a wicked man’s version of Montaigne, an instance of the way in which men convert to evil the precepts of a common sense supported by no act of faith. (1200)    Even the imagery