Iago as a Machiavellian Villain

1
Iago as a Machiavellian Villain

• Shakespeares Othello

2
Who is Machiavelli?

• An Italian diplomat, philosopher,
• musician, poet, and playwright
• a figure of the Italian Renaissance
• Heavily involved in the political component
• most widely known for his works on political
  theory and republicanism
• The Prince
• describes the arts by which a Prince (a ruler)
  can retain control of his realm
• One of the central themes THE END JUSTIFIES THE
  MEANS

3
What is a Machiavellian Villain?

• Believes that "the end justifies the means"
• totally convinced his ends are justified
• Finds wicked enjoyment in evil for evils sake
• Alienated
• isolates self in own evil
• paranoid
• appears good on the surface or to other
  people/characters

4
What is a Machiavellian Villain?

• Intelligent
• works from a master plan
• Boastful
• reveals plans in soliloquies
• great judge of character
• uses weakness/strengths of victims
• Resourceful
• adjusts plan and uses others as agents
• 11) obsessive and energetic in pursuit of goals
• 12) unrepentant

5

• Is Iagos 1st Speech (1.1.43-67) a Machiavellian
  Creed?
• (a creed is a statement of belief)
• Go into text and try to find evidence to support
  your response. You have 10 minutes. You may
  work alone or with a partner.

6
Two Types of Servants

• ONE
• is duteous and knee-crooking who wears out his
  time until when hes old,/ cashiered
  (1.1.46-50)

• TWO
• merely trimmed in forms and visages of duty but
  actually well thrive by their masters and steal
  money for themselves until they are ready to be
  free from servitude (1.1.51-56).

Iago, of course, is like the 2nd. He will act
loyally and dutifully toward Othello, until he
can serve his turn upon him (1.1.44).
7
A Villain Like Iago

• does not reveal his true intentions as honest men
  may.
• Those who are forthright with their desires or
  wear their hearts on their sleeves are
  vulnerable, says Iago, to the inspection and
  criticism of otherstis not long after/ But I
  will wear my heart upon my sleeve/ For daws to
  peck at (1.1.65-7).

8

• Iago views men as untrustworthy and suspicious
• He laughs at Othellos innocent trust in
  himWere I the Moor I would not be Iago
  (1.1.59)
• no man with something enviable (high official
  status or a beautiful, young wife) should trust
  any other man who shows him kindness or
  affection.
• According to Iagos skeptical and negative view
  of human nature, all men want what other men
  have.
• jealousy and competition between men results in
  ulterior motives for all of mens actions
  therefore, no man can be trusted.