Lord Henry and Iago.
In the book The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and the play "Othello" by William Shakespeare, two characters can be identified as having similar characteristics. Lord Henry Wotton a character from The Picture of Dorian Gray and Iago from "Othello" share the same qualities and beliefs, are able to deceive people with their words, and have bad relationships with their wives. Lord Henry Wotton and Iago are both well liked by the people that know them and use words so masterfully that their victims hardly know they are being deceived. They both appear to be good and their words mislead and corrupt the people that hear them. They both love power and domination and the following of one's senses and desires.
Lord Henry Wotton is an "urbane and sophisticated dandy." He bases his philosophies or witticisms on New Hedonism, "the belief that self-development leads to the perfect realization of one's nature."(Erickson 97-98) He participates in the London society by attending dinners and parties and sometimes visits the theatre. "He smokes, "opium-tainted" cigarettes ceaselessly." "He is intimate with the rich, talented, and well-born and is a connoisseur of the arts."(Erickson 106) People are fascinated with his seductive theories, which are aimed to defy the conventional beliefs of the London society. Lord Henry Wotton is charming and witty and a brilliant intellect that makes him well liked by all. Most people don't agree with his theories but the way he speaks of them leaves them begging for more. He has a different dinner invitation every night because people are entertained and enamored by his ideas.
Iago is considered to be brave and a good soldier. He is very blunt. He tells people what he thinks even if it is to deceive them. "He was also of that order of ability which lifts a man speedily above his fellows." "His manners and his guise were of a dashing military sort.
Throughout the play, Iago portrays himself as an wicked figure and can be compared with the devil. ... Iago also succeeds in deceiving Cassio. ... Iago then will start his destructive scheme. ... Iago also uses appearances to create deception. ... When Othello asks him if it was Cassio that he saw, Iago replies "Cassio, my lord! ...
Experiencing not even an iota of empathy or guilt Iago becomes the perfect villain, for it is the feeling for another that leads one to experience guilt and Iago feels for no one. Manipulation of others is not questioned by Iago to be right or wrong. To Iago love is merely "a lust of the blood and a permission of the will" and self-love, the mother of all vices, is the only love that Iago respects. ... The inability to posses a conscience aids Iago in his malevolent schemes. ... Describing the beauty of love between two human beings and comparing it to two animals, makes the act seem harsh and...
Othello trusts Iago and thinks he is honest, when in reality Iago is the least trustworthy of all, and Iago uses this against Othello. ... Iago uses this to rise suspicion in Othello by saying "Cassio, my lord? ... But this is not good enough for Iago. ... Iago is a smart man, and is also very manipulative. ... In the end though, things will catch up to Iago. ...
From the outset, Iago sets up his plan and motivations. ... 'I Shall ensnare them all', Iago says. ... When he compares Desdemona to food, Iago is insulting three different things: the reasons for Othello's marriage; women in general (comparing them to food, used only for a man's pleasure); and the entire Moorish race, saying that they are barbarians, who do not know how to treat women. ... So successful was Iago's scheme that Othello can only think that Iago must have been a devil. ... Iago is very per...
Iago When Shakespeare attempted to create the ultimate villain (and I must say he was stunningly successful), Iago was the result. ... This view on life has many hidden insights into the character of Iago. ... These quotes also show what a highly motivated person Iago is. ... When he compares Desdemona to food, Iago is insulting three different things: the reasons for Othello's marriage, women in general (comparing them to food, used only for a man's pleasure), and the entire Moorish race, saying that they are barbarians, who do not know how to treat women. Whe...
In these lines, he compares her to a woman who allows any man to copulate with her. ... This role in Othello is assumed by Iago. ... In the context Iago uses it, these words are supposed to reassure Roderigo, that Iago is fooling Othello. ... Iago first speaks in concise sentences such as "Honest, my lord?", "Think, my lord and "I think so too". ...
The great difference of a Machiavellian villain compared to an ordinary is the fact the villain will accomplish the task by any means. ... History may be a reason for characters in the play to portray Iago as honest Iago. ... Iago being "honest" Iago convinces Othello to suspect Desdemona but do not distrust her. ... Iago enters the room with guards; Emilia tells everyone all the drama is to be blamed on Iago. ... Othello curses Iago to die and charges him; in the confusion Iago kills Emilia. ...
Iago plans to ruin Othello, in doing so, make Iago the only person that Othello believes and trusts, and Iago will use this trust to manipulate Othello. ... In other words, Iago's only reason for destroying Othello is that Iago is an inherently bad person. ... Iago's first dialog with Roderigo serves as an introduction to Iago's plan. ... Iago feels that Roderigo is a foolish man who exists only for Iago's use or "sport." ... Iago has no reason to hate Othello, but because he is an evil person Iago wants to ruin Othello's life. ...
