In both the tragedies of King Lear and Othello, the plot is affected by the malicious actions of one character, which exacerbates the tensions already inherent in the relationships between the characters. Both Iago in Othello and Edmund in King Lear feel that they have been ignored in favor of someone they view as less deserving, and their actions are therefore motivated by bitter resentment. With similar motivations, both men also use similar techniques in their attempts to gain power by gaining the trust of other characters and using that trust as a tool in their exploits. However, once their betrayal is revealed at the end of the respective plays, Iago and Edmund display very different reactions, which will be examined later. Shakespeare's two villains demonstrate how evil exploits weaknesses in human psychology, particularly trust, and that their actions sow the seeds of destruction that inevitably result in death. Shakespeare also illustrates the different sources of evil as Iago and Edmund, after being unmasked, display two different reactions that reveal the complexity of motivated malignancy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayIago and Edmund profess their desire for vengeance and power in their opening speeches. In the opening scene of Othello, Iago explains to Roderigo that Cassio, who "never took a squadron into the field" (Othello: Ii22), was given the rank of lieutenant by Othello while Iago, who recalls his exploits in Rhodes and Cyprus, was appointed Othello's lieutenant. given the meager position of Othello's elder. From his first appearance, Iago has already established that he feels deceived, which motivates his insidious actions throughout the play. Roderigo understands Iago's anger and states that if he were in the same position he "would not follow (Othello)" (O: Ii40) but Iago is more cunning than Roderigo and sees a chance to transform his old position for his own benefit as he says: “I am to serve him my turn” (O: Ii42). As Othello's elder, Iago can gain the man's trust, and if Othello believes in Iago's honesty, then the villain's deception can be all the more devastating. Iago immediately appears and reveals the facade behind which he will hide for the rest of the play: “I am not what I am” (O: I2Ei.65). Edmund indicates his intention to follow a similar path to Iago in his first speech. After being insulted by his father in the play's first scene, Edmund's precarious social status as a bastard son becomes evident, and the idea that he is not a "legitimate" one torments the young man. As he ponders the social stigma associated with bastard children, Edmund loses control of his speech for a moment as he repeats the first syllable of the ominous word: "Why do they stigmatize us/With baseness?" with baseness? bastardy? baseness, base? (Lear: I.ii.10). While Iago's resentment comes from his lack of military promotion, Edmund's bitterness runs much deeper, as it is the product of his birth and social law. Edmund therefore decides that if society is against him, then he will obey the most fundamental laws of nature, as he says to the abstract mother: "to your law/My services are linked" (L: I.ii.2 ). It is from this point of view that Edmund launches his malicious campaign to pit his father against his legitimate brother Edgar. The episode following Edmund's speech in Act I, scene ii, almost directly parallels the beginning of Act III, scene iii in Othello. In theEdmund's case, the object of importance is the concocted letter that implicates Edgar in a plot to kill his father, while the point of interest in Iago's case is Cassio's hasty separation from Desdemona. Both antagonists manipulate their situation in the same way. Edmund quickly pockets the letter in full view of his father, while Iago indirectly draws Othello's attention to Cassio: "Hah? Like not that" (O: III.iii.34). When asked about the contents of the letter, Edmund simply states: "Nothing, my lord" (L: I.ii.31) just as Iago responds to Othello's interrogation with the same answer: "Nothing, my lord" ( O: III.iii.36). These two men are smart enough to know that by trying to ignore each other's demands, they are only piquing the interest of their intended victim. Edmund and Iago are simply manipulating basic human curiosity while feigning disinterest. Another parallel in the beginnings of their psychological manipulation lies in the fact that they pretend not to want to involve Cassio and Edgar when Othello tells Iago to tell what happened between Cassio and Roderigo. , Iago poses as the lieutenant's friend by saying: "I would rather that tongue were cut from my mouth/Rather than it offended Michael Cassio" (O: II.iii.221). » asks about the rebellious letter: “You know that the character is that of your brother? » and he replies: “If the deal were good, my lord, I would dare to say that it was his; but in this matter I would prefer to think that it was not so...I hope his heart is not in the content” (L: I.ii.62-68). By acting as reluctant accusers, Edmund and Iago add layers. to their masks of honest morality, which they use as effective weapons. Othello sees "honest Iago" as a faithful servant who is reluctant to disparage those close to him, and Gloucester sees Edmund as a pious son who wishes to protect his father's safety as well. has no vindictive desire to implicate his brother. Behind a moral facade, Iago and Edmund take advantage of the trust others place in them. Shakespeare's characterizations of Othello and Desdemona reveal them to be two honest individuals who share a mutual sense of compassion. Iago's quick mind sees the natural morality of both and exploits it as a weakness. By telling Cassio to plead with Desdemona for mercy from Othello, Iago is actually giving the lieutenant good advice, because Desdemona is sympathetic and has influence over her husband, but the villain is maliciously manipulating the situation," When demons act out the blackest sins, They suggest first with heavenly spectacles, As I do now, for while this honest fool asks Desdemona to repair his fortune... So will I transform his; virtue in pitch." (O:II.iii.351-360) Shakespeare also presents Edgar and Gloucester as honorable characters. Gloucester's only indiscretion is Edmund's callous treatment when he speaks to Kent in the play's first scene, but he proves himself later with his unwavering support for Lear. Edmund is just as perceptive as Iago and is only too ready to exploit a human weakness when he sees it. After playing on Edgar's confidence in his brotherly loyalty, Edmund privately reflects on his true intentions: "A gullible father and a noble brother, whose nature is so far from doing harm that he suspects no harm." ; on whose foolish honesty My practices are easy. Both men have an uncanny talent for manipulating others, and they are both capable of inciting violence in their victims. In addition to driving Othello to violence, Iago is also able to incite Roderigo into fighting with Cassio. his father's anger against Edgar as well asconvincing Edgar to draw his sword in a mock fraternal duel in the first scene of Act II. While the villainy of these two men follows the same path through the majority of their respective plays, their personalities are very different. revealed once their betrayal was exposed. As soon as Iago's plan is brought to light by Emilia's testimony, he immediately turns to violence as he first attempts to kill his wife and then commits the murder. Iago shows absolutely no remorse for his malicious actions which resulted in at least five unnecessary deaths as his only response to Othello's questions about his motives is “Ask me nothing; what you know, you know: from now on, I will never say another word” (O: V.ii.302). This callous response to tragedy is what earned Iago the concept of “motiveless malignancy,” but his motivations have already been revealed early in the play. Iago is a hateful man, as he subconsciously questions his own worth after being passed over for promotion and having to serve under someone he views as inherently inferior. Even if his reasoning is irrational and immoral, it is not without merit. Shakespeare presented in the character of Iago a type of malignant person whose motivations lie in an essentially non-intellectual ignorance (Iago has a very sharp mind), as he is totally without conscience and cares about no one but himself- even. Edmund is another face of malignancy that is more difficult to decipher. After Edgar defeats Edmund in their final duel, Albany questions Goneril about whether or not she knew about his deception described in Edgar's letter. Goneril gives Iago the answer: "Ask me not what I know" (L: V.iii.162) but Edmund proves to be a more honorable man than Iago because he readily admits the accusations as well as what he didn't do. but I have been accused of: “What you have accused me of, I have done,/ And much more, time will bring out” (L: V.iii.164). Even though Edmund's actions throughout the play have been morally wrong, he demonstrates in the end that he has a conscience and is capable of considering others when not blinded by his own thirst for power. Although his change of heart comes too late, Edmund is so moved by the tragedy surrounding him that he goes back on his orders to have Lear and Cordelia executed. "I pant for life. I intend to do good, / Despite my own nature" (L: V.iii.244). His mention of his "own nature" leads one to question the motivations of Edmund It would be easy to simply say that Edmund was a victim of circumstances, tormented by the fact that he was born into a negative social stigma, which bred resentment in him, but that is only one. part of the answer The notion of his inevitable bitterness runs counter to Edmund's self-examination earlier in the play Edmund harbors resentment toward the stigmatization of his birthright. takes responsibility for one's own actions and believes that others should also do so, "...when we are sick of fortune - often because of the excesses of our own behavior - we are guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, the stars, as if we were villains by necessity, fools by celestial constraint... But I should have been what I am if the youngest star in the firmament had sparkled during my bastard. (L: I.ii.119-133) With Edmund, Shakespeare has therefore created a character whose actions are as deplorable as those of Iago, but who is capable of remorse and has a sense of responsibility. Iago remains hateful and silent, while Edmund asks for forgiveness. Although motivated by a feeling of resentment.