FREE ESSAY ON WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S OTHELLO

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S OTHELLO

Iago's Justice
In William Shakespeare's play Othello, there lurks an evil that far is surpasses the
darkness of the devil, it lies in the antagonist Iago. Othello who passes Iago up for a
promotion simply because Iago is not a arithmetician, swears to take his revenge and
destroy the moor and every thing Othello holds dear. Through this Iago plays judge, jury,
and executioner, but is Iago's justice justified or does his justice go far beyond the
point of justice that he crosses the line. Once that line is crossed there is a point of
no return. All barriers that may have at one point existed are now broken.
Iago's justice can never be justified, by taking or causing the bloodshed of the innocent
for his own personal gain is no more justified then murder in cold blood. What ever
promotion Iago is entitled to or what ever rights he may have is gone when he decides to
create his own law. Nor should he posses the power to influence and decide the fate of
others. "I hate the Moor;........Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the
world's light" (I.ii.20). Iago intend to "abuse Othello's ear" and convince Othello his
wife Desdemona is an adultress, "framed to make women false" (I.i.20). Iago plans to
bring the devils evil to earth in order to get his revenge on Othello.
Although Iago's justice can never be justified his anger pointed towards Othello can be.
Despite all the rage, fury, resentment, prejudice, and anger Iago feels towards Othello;
Iago feels all this and more to the appointed lieutenant Michael Cassio. For Cassio has
never had experience on the battle field, "A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife; That
never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows" (I.i.1). Iago also
points out that "preferment goes by letter and affection" (I.i.2). Iago is well aware of
the fact that he is more qualified for the position but choices are based upon brain and
not achievements on the field.
In Iago's pursuit of destroying the Moor and achieving his rightful position he destroys
so many lives. Michael Cassio is soon striped of his position due to Iago's deceit.
Othello's fair wife Desdemona is murdered by her own husband after Othello's mind is
poisoned by the "honest" Iago. Iago leads Othello to believe that Cassio and Desdemona
are having an affair, Iago not only accomplishes this by words of deceit but by providing
"proof". After attaining the first gift Othello ever gave to Desdemona he plans "in
Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, and let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the
jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ: this may do something. The Moor
already changes with my poison: Dangerous conceits are in the natures poisons, Which at
the first are scarce found to distaste but with a little act upon blood burn like the
mines of sulphur" (III.iii.50).
After deciding the fate of Michael Cassio, Desdemona, Othello, Roderigo, Emilia, and his
own, Iago can no longer justify his actions or his revenge when confronted. Othello asks
"why hath thus ensnared my soul and body" all Iago could say in response is "demand me
nothing; what you know, you know: from this time forth I never will speak word"
(V.ii.90). In Iago's silence and refusal to give "justified" reasons to his crusade is
speechlessness. If his reasons were in deed justified Iago would have spoken in his own
defense.
In the end of this Shakespeare tragedy order is restored, Iago is brought to justice. But
not before the blood of the innocent is shed. Revenge by hurting and condemning the
innocent while in pursuit of personal gain is never justified. Although Iago's anger
towards Othello may have been, Iago's justice crosses the line. All barriers that
separate the human race from man and animal have been broken down. For Iago to decide the
fate of so many innocent in pursuit of hurting Othello makes him no different than
Satan.