Iago is a very interesting character in William Shakespeare’s play, Othello. The most compelling view of Iago is through the Historical Critical lens. Othello was written between 1601 and 1604 in England, however it was not published until 1622. This was just after the time of the renaissance, 1500-1688 (British Literature Survey) depending on what country you are in. The time period that Shakespeare wrote this play in, has a great impact on who Iago is and how other characters see him. Within the historical lens, it deals with the economic, political and sociological climate of the time period. In Othello the three main components through the historical lens, that best gives modern society a compelling view of Iago is through the ideas of
…show more content…
According to the Italian Renaissance Learning Resources, “Friends were an extension of family networks and connected through long chains of obligation…. Friendships could be quite volatile. Any number of circumstances… could turn a friend into an enemy.” This directly corresponds with Iago and his friendship with Othello. At the beginning of the play, Iago is one of Othello’s closest and warmest friends. Until Othello appoints Cassio instead of Iago with no reasoning. This was the incident that started the domino effect and the beginning of Iago’s hated Othello, despite their history. Othello becomes a pseudo-friend, a person who you call your friend, but in actuality they are not due to some reason, to Iago. Iago’s hatred for Othello becomes more and more prominent as the play unfolds. When Iago realizes that Othello does not even follow the military rules, he sees that Othello cannot be trusted, turning him into an enemy. Later in the play Iago accuses Othello of sleeping with his wife, Emilia. Iago then states that he hates Othello and that he must get even, wife for wife; “I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets 'has done my office. I know not if 't be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety” (Act 1, scene 3 lines 329-433). This quote shows just the person that Iago is. Even though he knows …show more content…
By using the historical critical lens, society is able to tell who Iago is and the type of person he is. Historical criticism allows us to understand the social background and the “framework of the prevailing ideas and assumptions of its historical era.” (Delahoyde) By using the historical critical lens to analyze Iago, we’re able to tell who he his by the ideas of marriage, friendship and individualism of the era that Shakespeare wrote Othello in. Through this lens, we were able to see how malevolent Iago really his, and perhaps the reasons why. All in all, the historical critical lens was the most compelling way to analyze
According to the Italian Renaissance Learning Resources, “Friends were an extension of family networks and connected through long chains of obligation…. Friendships could be quite volatile. Any number of circumstances… could turn a friend into an enemy.” This directly corresponds with Iago and his friendship with Othello. At the beginning of the play, Iago is one of Othello’s closest and warmest friends. Until Othello appoints Cassio instead of Iago with no reasoning. This was the incident that started the domino effect and the beginning of Iago’s hated Othello, despite their history. Othello becomes a pseudo-friend, a person who you call your friend, but in actuality they are not due to some reason, to Iago. Iago’s hatred for Othello becomes more and more prominent as the play unfolds. When Iago realizes that Othello does not even follow the military rules, he sees that Othello cannot be trusted, turning him into an enemy. Later in the play Iago accuses Othello of sleeping with his wife, Emilia. Iago then states that he hates Othello and that he must get even, wife for wife; “I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets 'has done my office. I know not if 't be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety” (Act 1, scene 3 lines 329-433). This quote shows just the person that Iago is. Even though he knows …show more content…
By using the historical critical lens, society is able to tell who Iago is and the type of person he is. Historical criticism allows us to understand the social background and the “framework of the prevailing ideas and assumptions of its historical era.” (Delahoyde) By using the historical critical lens to analyze Iago, we’re able to tell who he his by the ideas of marriage, friendship and individualism of the era that Shakespeare wrote Othello in. Through this lens, we were able to see how malevolent Iago really his, and perhaps the reasons why. All in all, the historical critical lens was the most compelling way to analyze