Through out scene 3 of act 1 in "Othello," Iago uses sexist terms to describe women, or label them. Before I begin explaining what his terms tell me about him, his attitude towards women, and feelings men direct towards women (lust, reverence, and love), I wanted to define his name because a lot can be learned from what it means.
Iago is of Spanish and welsh origin. It's a variant of James which means "he who supplants" or in other words: he who takes the place of another, as through force, scheming, strategy, or the like.
Why am I bringing up this point? I think that one of the biggest reasons why Iago is not fond of women or of other men being with one is simply because he is threatened with being overshadowed by one. If he does have a wife (which he does), it's only because he sees her as someone he can use to help him attain something (whatever that may be).
Towards the end of scene 3 of act 1 in "Othello," when Iago and Roderigo are alone having a discussion about being in love, Iago tells Rod, "I would change places with a baboon before I would drown myself for the love of a female bird" 1.3.330. Since Rod mentioned killing himself over Desdemona, Iago thought of him as being foolish if he dared kill himself because to him a woman is not worth giving your life up for. Later on he explains to Rod that Desdemona "is young and will change her mind" regarding her love for Othello. He also says that "when she is done with his body, she will see the mistake that she made. She must have variety..." implying that Desdemona is a whore and is only with Othello for sex and not love. In fact, Iago doesn't even believe that love exists, he tells Rod that whatever feelings he may have for Des "is a mere offshoot of lust."
Iago is a sexist in every aspect of the word. He believes women are lustful creatures that shouldn't be loved nor trusted. As for men, anyone giving his heart (or life, as in Rod's case) to a woman is a fool. Sure enough Iago doesn't want any woman getting in his way and warns other men to avoid them. If this is his stand against women, it makes me wonder if he's gay? You can never be too sure. M
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6 comments:
But why would you have to be homosexual to hate women? There are plenty of hetero men that think women are, well, not worth more than one night stand and they reserve love and friendship for their male friends.
Here is another theory: hatred of women comes from the fear of "what women do to you" (fall in love/become a fool--remember Benedick?) or that associating with women will make one "like a woman" (soft, weak). That is why Iago must not only destroy that which makes men (Roderigo, Cassio, Othello) weak, that is, Desdemona but also Othello's LOVE for Desdemona.
honestly i just think because he grew up in Venice, he has only seen the worst of women. that made him very self-concious and develop a trust issue. he might of had to live for him self, dog-eat-dog world, that made him the way he was.
i really dont think he's gay i just think is background has a lot to do with the way he precieves women..
Maybe Iago's disdain for women is rooted in his obssesive desire to manipulate. Because he may view a woman as the only threat to his calculating nature, because he truly lusts for women, and acknowledges their power. He just happens to have a nasty mouth.
i believe that is surroundings and where he was raised and grows up teh fact that he lives in vennice is why he has his view on women
I do agree with what your saying and you starting off with the definition of Iago's name was really cool too. It goes with yhis personality. Iago is sexist but i'm guessing thats how most men were during that time. keep up the good work!
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