Destined to be a Villain - From Iago to the Joker

            In an article concerning the modern performance of Shakespeare, W. Worthen describes, "The modern stage becomes a site of interpretation, rather than a place of production, a place where meanings are found."" Regarding the character of Iago in Shakespeare's "Othello," critics, performers, and readers have determined numerous interpretations and meanings for the villain over the centuries. Iago is a portrait of a practical joker of a uniquely atrocious kind, and the best way to approach the play is by a general a thought that the practical joker I someone who enjoys playing God behind the scenes.
             Reconsidering Worthen's quote, imagine replacing "the modern stage"" with "the modern cinema," and then drastically changing things from Shakespeare to superheroes, such as Batman's legendary arch-nemesis, the Joker. The Joker represents another character with troublesome interpretations given over the years, particularly in Christopher Nolan's 2008 film, "The Dark Knight." The similarities between the Joker and Iago are prominent. It seems that based on Worthen's musings on modern performance, the directors of The Dark Knight and the author of "Othello," William Shakespeare, uncovered similar values when constructing their villains. Early on in The Dark Knight, as the Joker holds a Gotham mobster at knifepoint and asks, "Wanna know how I got these scars? " He proceeds to tell a horrific story about his abusive father, "a drinker and a fiend, who one day takes a knife and carves a smiling scar from the end of his lip and across the mouth." .
             Despite the heartless villainy on display, for a moment, the audience feels sympathy for the Joker because his evil acts may be linked with previous childhood cruelty. When the Joker decides to crash Bruce Wayne's fundraiser, the Joker holds Rachel hostage at knifepoint.