All humans struggle to control themselves. Human beings must manage their emotions and control their actions, to prevent them from getting out of control. While one should not be apathetic or alien to human feelings, one should also not let one's emotions completely dictate one's behavior. This struggle applies to the main character of Shakespeare's Othello: Iago. However, from the beginning of the play, readers immediately know that Iago has certainly crossed the line and is consumed by his emotions, even though he hides it well. Iago's character cannot be clearly defined as having "a feeling of jealousy and an inability to control [his feelings]" or a "moral arsonist" (qtd. in Ray). Instead, he is a mixture of the two, evolving from uncontrolled feelings to obsession. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayIago cannot be described as having been initially or completely bad because he embodies the human condition in which every person struggles to choose between good and evil. Although Iago is depicted as having succumbed to his evil nature, Shakespeare artistically illustrates Iago's inner turmoil and his evolution from a despised and jealous elder to a manipulative murderer. Because his first word in the play is "'Sblood", which was actually an offensive curse that was even omitted from the Folio text, readers know that Iago has transitioned to his evil nature (1.1.4). However, near the beginning of the play, Iago still conveys snatches of his feelings of jealousy. After Othello ignores the men sent by Iago to ensure his qualifications as a lieutenant, Iago states, "I know my price, I am not worth a worse place." » (1.1.11) Readers can sympathize with Iago because he is hurt, as if he never had the chance to be a lieutenant. Everyone, like Othello, seeks success while Iago is left behind, especially by one who has already achieved success. Additionally, Michael Cassio, whom Othello chose, is an intellectual and everything Iago is not. Iago then begins to curse what makes Othello different, and perhaps, in his heart, what makes Othello better and more successful than him. He then begins to plot against Othello, illustrating how his jealousy begins to get the better of him when he decides to "follow him to serve him in my turn / We cannot all be masters, nor all masters / Can't be truly followed. " (1.1.42) Although Iago intends to deceive Othello, he simultaneously alludes to the recognition that not everyone can succeed, a recognition that pains him so much that it consumes his thoughts and ultimately motivates his actions. Iago's vulnerability and offended pride are particularly expressed when he states that he will "wear [his] heart on [his] sleeve / So that the cabbages can peck at it." I am not what I am” (1.1.65). Readers are left with the impression that Iago's heart has already been ripped out and that he has been permanently injured. Furthermore, he claims that he “never found a man who knew how to love himself.” (1.3.310) Although Iago seems to be talking about humanity as a whole, he is ultimately also referring to himself. He uses generalized statements to project and accept his own insecurities. In fact, it's Iago who doesn't like himself. It can be assumed that Iago is unhappy with himself because he compares himself to men like Othello and Cassio, who seem to be more successful than him. These insecurities and jealousies intensify until they begin to consume Iago's thoughts andultimately his actions as well. Calderwood explains that “a motive exists in the agent before he acts, generating his action, but it is also the projected result of that action.” Iago is finally pushed to the edge when he “suspects that the sturdy Moor / has leaped into my seat” (2.2.284). Because Iago believes that Othello has since being with his wife, he has passed the breaking point. Iago feels like all his suspicions have been confirmed: not only has Othello deprived him of his position as lieutenant, but he has now invaded Iago's house. Iago is no longer content to choose between good and evil. His mind has been totally occupied by his insecurities and envy, and he has long since crossed the line. He himself affirms that “often my jealousy / Shapes faults which are not faults” (3.3.148). Iago went from insecurities to overwhelming jealousy, and ultimately to an unstable mental state in which he projects his fears onto the people around him and acts on those feelings. Although “Iago represents mediation, intermediaries, and invented forms-“the nature of things,” he has crossed this line and is now almost entirely motivated by his evil intentions (Calderwood). He begins to sneakily make Othello question the relationship between Desdemona and Cassio when he converses with Othello, saying, “Ha! I don't like it. To which Othello asks: “What do you say?” » To which Iago replies: “Nothing, my lord; or if… I don’t know what. Othello asks again: "Is not Cassio separated from my wife?" Iago says: “Cassio, my lord? No, of course, I cannot think so / That he would run away so guiltily, / Seeing you coming. (3.3.35) In this scene, Iago confuses and worries Othello in a passive-aggressive way by questioning his wife's relationship with another man. Although Iago's mind has been consumed by uncontrollable jealousy and hatred, his actions are still composed as follows: "He delights in plots, sees them everywhere... [and] When he does not suspect the plots of others, he invents them himself. (Calderwood) Iago's mind is filled to the brim with negative thoughts and emotions. However, just as in the beginning he simply struggled, his actions are initially very helpful. Nevertheless, he begins to completely lose control of himself, as evidenced when he kills Roderigo, stabs Cassio, and murders his own wife, Emilia. Just as “The Moor changes already with [Iago's] poison,” the poison of envy is that Iago's mind runs through his actions. Although Iago is not "initially evil", the statement that "He is not the Devil" has only a small amount of truth. to this. Even though Iago is not initially the Devil, he becomes one through his hatred. Iago’s evilness is illustrated when Othello says, “I look at his feet; but it is a fable. / If you're a devil, I can't kill you. Othello then wounds Iago, who says: "I bleed, sir, but I am not killed." » (5.2.283) Because Othello claims that the Devil cannot be killed and that Iago does not die after being injured, Iago has in fact become the Devil, the embodiment of evil. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.Get a custom essayShakespeare, a literary genius of his time, would never want his main character to be completely flat. Shakespeare would never create an entirely evil Iago from the start; instead, throughout the play he alludes to the inner turmoil that Iago faces. This struggle makes Iago a representative of the human condition, in which human beings must constantly choose between good and evil. Iago is accurately described as the "most despicable villain".