All humans struggle to control themselves. Human beings must deal with their emotions and control their actions, to prevent them from getting out of hand. While one should not be an everyman apathetic or estranged from human feelings, one should also not allow one's emotions to completely dictate one's behavior. This struggle is applicable to the main character of Shakespeare's Othello: Iago. However, from the very beginning of the play, readers quickly understand that Iago has definitely crossed the line and is consumed by his emotions, even though he hides them well. The character of Iago cannot be clearly defined either as “jealous and unable to control [his feelings]” or as a “moral pyromaniac” (qtd. in Ray). Instead, it's a mixture of both, ranging from uncontrolled feelings to obsession. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Iago cannot be described as initially or completely evil because he embodies the human condition in which every person struggles to choose between good and evil. Although Iago is depicted as having succumbed to his evil nature, Shakespeare artistically illustrates Iago's inner turmoil and evolution from a despised and jealous ancient to a manipulative murderer. Since his first word in the play is "'Sblood", which was actually an offensive curse that was even omitted in the Folio text, readers know that Iago has transitioned into his evil nature (1.1.4). However, towards the beginning of the play, Iago still conveys fragments of his feelings of jealousy. After Othello ignores the men Iago has sent to secure his credentials as a lieutenant, Iago states, "I know my price, I am not worth a worse place." (1.1.11) Readers can sympathize with Iago because he is wounded, as if he never had the chance to be lieutenant. Everyone, like Othello, pursues success while Iago is left behind, especially by the person who is already successful. Furthermore, Michael Cassio, chosen by Othello, is an intellectual and everything that Iago is not. Iago then proceeds to curse what makes Othello different and perhaps, in his heart, what makes Othello better and more successful than him. He then begins to plot against Othello, illustrating how his jealousy begins to get the better of him when he decides to “follow him to serve my turn on him / We cannot all be masters, nor all masters / We cannot be truly followed . ” (1.1.42) Although Iago intends to deceive Othello doubly, he simultaneously hints at the recognition that not all people can succeed, a recognition that pains him so much that it consumes his thoughts and ultimately motivates his actions. Iago's vulnerability and offended pride are particularly expressed when he states that he will "wear [his] heart on [his] sleeve / For the teeth to peck. I am not what I am" (1.1.65). given the impression that Iago's heart has already been torn out and that he has been permanently wounded. Furthermore, he states that he has “never found a man who knew how to love himself”. humanity as a whole, ultimately also refers to himself. He uses generalized statements to project and come to terms with his own insecurities. In fact, it is Iago who does not love himself he compares to men like Othello and Cassio, who seem to be more successful than him. These insecurities and jealousies increase until they begin to consume Iago's thoughts and, ultimately, his actions. Calderwood explains that “Unmotive is inside the agent before he acts, generating his action, but it is also the projected result of that action”. Iago is finally pushed to the limit when he "suspects that the lustful Moor / Has jumped upon my seat," (2.2.284) Because Iago believes that Othello has been with his wife, he has been pushed beyond the breaking point. Iago feels as if all his suspicions have been confirmed: not only has Othello stripped him of his lieutenant position, but he has now invaded Iago's house. Iago is no longer simply struggling with the choice between good and evil. His mind has been completely occupied by his insecurities and envy, and he has long since crossed the line. He himself states that "often my jealousy / gives shape to faults that are not" (3.3.148). Iago has gone from insecurities, to overwhelming jealousy, and finally to an unstable mental state where he projects his fears onto the people around him and acts on those feelings. Although “Iago represents the mediation, the inbetweenness and the making up of things,” he has crossed that line and is now almost entirely motivated by his own evil intent (Calderwood). He begins to subtly push Othello to question the relationship between Desdemona and Cassio when he converses with Othello, saying, “Ah! I don't like this. To which Othello asks: "What say you?" To which Iago replies: “Nothing, my lord; or if... I don't know what." Othello asks again: "Was not Cassio separated from my wife?" Iago states: “Cassio, my lord? No, of course, I cannot think / That he would have gone so guiltily, / Seeing you arrive. (3.3.35) In this scene, Iago passive-aggressively confuses and worries Othello by questioning his wife's relationship with another man. Although Iago's mind has been devoured by uncontrollable jealousy and hatred, his actions are still composed as "He revels in plots, sees them everywhere... [and] When he does not suspect the plots of others, he invents them himself ". (Calderwood) Iago's mind has been filled to the brim with negative thoughts and emotions. However, just as he simply struggled at first, his actions are initially very focused. However, he begins to completely lose control of himself, an example when he kills Roderigo, stabs Cassio, and kills his wife, Emilia. Just as "The Moor changes already with [Iago's] poison", the poison of envy is that Iago's mind runs its course through his actions. Although Iago is not "initially malevolent", the statement that he is "not the Devil" has only a little truth. Now. Although Iago is not initially the Devil, he becomes one through his hatred. Iago's devilishness is illustrated when Othello says: “I look down at his feet; but it's a fairy tale. / If you are a devil, I cannot kill you. Othello then wounds Iago, who says, "I bleed, sir, but I am not slain." (5.2.283) Since Othello states that the Devil cannot be killed and that Iago does not die after being wounded, Iago has effectively become the Devil, the epitome of evil. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay Shakespeare, a literary genius of his time, never wanted his main character to be completely flat. Shakespeare would never create a completely evil Iago from the start; instead, throughout the play, it alludes to the inner turmoil that Iago faces. This struggle makes Iago representative of the human condition, in which humans must constantly make the choice between right and wrong. Iago is accurately described as Shakespeare's “most despicable villain” (qtd. in Ray). However, his evil is particularly frightening because every human being can see themselves in him, and since he does not die at the end of the play, Iago represents.