Many literary critics consider IAGO to be the most character that Shakespeare created. Although Othello calls him "honest Iago," Coleridge describes his behaviour as "motiveless malignity." It is this lack of motive that makes Iago's actions seem all the more repugnant. In this way, Iago may be easily compared with Aaron in Titus Andronicus and Don John in Much Ado About Nothing in that they enjoy being evil for the sake of being evil. Their heinous behaviour doesn't bring them anything concrete; just the joy of hurting others. Actually, with Iago, it goes even further. His actions cause Othello, who is his friend, to kill his beautiful and innocent wife, Desdemona.
Some critics claim that Iago's evil may be driven by jealousy towards Othello, Desdemona and Cassio, but Andy Serkis, who played Iago in Manchester in 2002 wrote:
There are a million theories to Iago's motivations, But I believed that Iago was once a good soldier, a great man to have around, a bit of a laugh, who feels betrayed, gets jealous of his friend, wants to mess it up for him, enjoys causing him pain, makes a choice to channel all his creative energy into the destruction of this human being, and becomes completely addicted to the power he wields over him. I didn't want to play him as initially malevolent. he's not the Devil. He's you or me feeling jealous and not being able to control our feelings.
Note: owing to technical computer problems, I will continue with Iago next time.
Please accept my apologies. David
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