Introduction
William Shakespeare is a well known writer who has written various interesting play books. In Particular, he wrote a remarkable play called Othello. In the play, Shakespeare portrays a very jealous character. Lago is the jealous character who got disappointed with his friend Othello for denying him the chance of becoming a lieutenant (Shakespeare, p. 21). Because of his jealousy, Lago went ahead and plotted evil against Othello who trusted him as a good friend. Initially, Othello did not know about all the malicious schemes that Lago was planning against him. To him, Lago was a loyal friend whom he could entrust with his personal issues. However this changed when he realized that his friend had betrayed him (Shakespeare, p. 82). Eventually Othello took away his life because he was having a lot of bitterness. He even tried to kill his friend Lago though he did not succeed. In the play, Shakespeare used Lago to show his audience that vengeance can lead to lot of destruction and that we should not judge people by their outward appearance as Lago was so honored but he was a traitor. This paper aims to address Lago’s jealousy after his failure to get a promotion triggers him to plan a scheme to kill, lie, betray, and steal to ensure he destroys everybody he thinks has wronged him.
Lago’s Motivation
Primarily, Lago’s actions were motivated by his ambitious nature and his jealousy. Lago is a man who could do anything to ensure that he destroys everybody he thinks has wronged him. This was a person who went ahead with his evil plots against Othello who had trusted him. Sadly Othello did not realize about his friend’s jealousy until later on when his wife died. Lago is believed to be one of the greatest evil creations of Shakespeare who could do anything to make sure that justice prevails. Shakespeare portrays Lago as a person who did a lot of evil like causing deaths and downfall of many and in most cases tried to find many excuses and reasons for his actions. Following his jealousy, Lago was also motivated by his anger and desire to carry out revenge against Othello.
Jealousy
Lago was an ambitious man who wanted to succeed in everything he did. His jealousy was mainly triggered by the fact that he was not appointed as the next lieutenant. Because of his jealousy, some people were killed while others survived his evil plots.
According to Lago, he knew that Othello would automatically appoint him as a personal lieutenant since they had been friends for quite some time (Shakespeare, p. 103). When this failed to happen, Lago became angry with his friend and resolved to plot evil against him. Meanwhile, he was also angry with Cassio who was appointed as the lieutenant. Lago therefore planed his revenge that was geared towards hurting both Othello and Cassio. To achieve his mission, Lago involved his wife and Roderigo who assisted him in various occasions. At the back of his mind, he knew that Roderigo would be willing to help because he was also having some bitterness against Othello. In reality, Roderigo had been waiting for such an opportunity which could end his desires to revenge against Othello (Shakespeare, p. 97).Roderigo believed he could get back Desdemonia who was already married to Othello. This was another motivation for Lago as he became certain that Roderigo would be the best counterpart in his evil mission. With a counterpart who the same agenda, Lago knew his plot would definitely succeed. Sadly, Othello did not have any hint that his friend Lago was going to betray him. If not for Emily, he may not have known about Lago’s actions.
Ideally, Lago was not a good friend at all. Othello requested him to accompany Desdemonia to Cyprus yet all he could do was to speak lies about his friend’s wife. While in Cypress, this is what Lago told Othello, “My dear friend Othello have you realized that your wife is nowadays spending much time with Cassio?” (Shakespeare, p. 79). He accused Desdemonia for having an affair with Cassio although that was not true. As part of his revenge, Lago was determined to ruin the marriage of Othello and Desdemonia. He knew loved his wife so much and so causing trouble between them was a way of hurting Othello. With his undying determination, Lago managed to convince Othello that his wife was cheating on him. In the long run, Desdemonia is killed by her husband for alleged disloyalty. On the other hand, Lago sent Roderigo to kill Cassio though he was not successful (Shakespeare 95). Again, this triggered Lago’s anger and so Roderigo was murdered for failing to kill Cassio.
Revenge and anger
In act 1 scene 1, where Othello overlooks him is a clear evidence that his actions are motivated by an urge to avenge those people who hurt him in addition to getting that which he believes is rightfully his. For instance he wanted revenge for Cassio because of taking his position as a lieutenant which he later earn in scene 3 in act 3 as he accuse Cassio and Desdemona as having an affair (Shakespeare, p. 7).
Conclusion
Ideally, Lago was not a good friend at all. Othello requested him to accompany Desdemona to Cyprus yet all he could do was to speak lies about his friend’s wife (Shakespeare, p. 79). He accused Desdemona for having an affair with Cassio although that was not true. As part of his revenge, Lago was determined to ruin the marriage of Othello and Desdemona. He knew that Othello loved his wife so much and so causing trouble between them was a way of hurting Othello. With his undying determination, Lago managed to convince Othello that his wife was cheating on him. In the long run, Desdemona is killed by her husband for alleged disloyalty. On the other hand, Lago sent Roderigo to kill Cassio though he was not successful (Shakespeare, p. 95). Again, this triggered Lago’s anger and so Roderigo was murdered for failing to kill Cassio.
In a nut shell, Lago’s actions were mainly fueled by his jealousy and undying determination to fulfill his mission. Lago was very ambitious and did not want to accept defeat. Failing to get the position of a lieutenant was a big blow to him since it made him very jealous. He was mad at his friend Othello who did not appoint give that position. This culminated to his desire for revenge against Othello and Cassio was had acquired the position. Many critics try to explain Lago’s motivation to his evil actions. Some say he was naturally evil others say it is because he was of a different race and that he was jealous. Moreover, some say that his actions were driven by the fact that he found pleasure in harming others and making them stressful.
Works Cited
Shakespeare William. Othello. Washington, D. C.: Washington Square Press, 1993.