CAST IAGO

Shia LaBeouf

Nah, just kidding. Shia could attempt Iago but I don't think he has enough evil in him to capture to portray the character. Shia's works are more of the hero type character; but I do envision Iago with an intimidating beard and stern yet entrancing glare. Shia is 29 which is close enough to Iago's age (34ish). Also, I would prefer Iago to not be American due to Shakespeare's origins being British, so I think there's a better fit. It'd be cool if LaBeef was Iago though. I am a fan. I ship it.

Iwan Rheon

 

I think Iwan would make a great Iago. Iwan is most well known for his character Simon in Misfits and Ramsay in Game of Thrones. Ramsay Snow in Game of Thrones is one of the most evil characters in the show and Simon apparently murders someone, so Iwan does a great 'baddie'. I feel like the manipulation element of Iago comes from charm and that can be found in Iwan's striking blue eyes which can subsequently make him seem more of a Machiavelli. Iwan is almost 31 so he is closer to Iago's age and he seems to have a natural sense of darkness about him, plus he has an Iago-esque beard which can be used as a sort of mask to imply that Iago isn't being his true self. Iwan was also born in Wales (which is in Britain, like Shakespeare) which is close enough to British - he can do a convincing British accent nonetheless.   

via GIPHY

Act 2 Sc 3 Questions

Iago switches from verse to prose when he speaks with Cassio, and Cassio follows. What does this indicate about the exchange? What might it indicate about Cassio? AO2 LFS
Iago's use of prose is more persuasive towards Cassio and makes Iago seem more comfortable and close to Cassio. Cassio tends to  speak in verse because he is a noble man, however then converges to prose when talking to Iago as though Iago changes his parts of Cassio's personality to become more colloquial with him and pulled down to Iago's level. Iago is, in a way, in control of the way Cassio speaks as Cassio is easily persuaded and wants to get along with everyone due to his nature.


What language does Cassio use when speaking about Desdemona? How does it compare to the language Iago uses to sexualise her? Why do you think Iago is speaking about Desdemona in this way to Cassio? (lines 15-25) AO2 LF  
Cassio speaks kindly of Desdemona and uses language with a lexical field of beauty and purity when talking about her 'most fresh and delicate creature' (L19) as though she is similar to a Goddess. Compared to Iago's descriptive sexualised language 'full of game' (L18) implying that she is sexually active; Cassio seems to value Desdemona as a person more than Iago who mostly see's her as a sexual object. Iago speaks of Desdemona in this way to plant a lustful seed for Cassio so that Cassio will desire her more and feel more jealous of Othello.


How does Iago persuade Cassio to drink? Use your close reading skills to analyse the language he uses. AO2 LFS
Originally, Cassio warns Iago that he is a lightweight 'poor and unhappy brains for drinking' (L30) but Iago tells him to celebrate with the declarative sentence ''Tis a night of revels; the gallants desire it' (L37) and tells him to drink 'but one cup' (L32) as though one cup of alcohol will have little effect on Cassio thus persuading him to get drunk. Cassio agrees 'I'll do't; but it dislikes me' (L40) however knows that it's not the best idea and is actually against his original plan and is now deceiving Othello all thanks to Iago.


Why does Iago try to subvert the social order and bring others down to his level, rather than try to climb the ladder and raise himself up? Consider ideas about social order at the time AO3, context. 
Iago brings people down to his level to belittle their reputation. Reputation is a big deal in the army, even more so in the 1600s. If Iago were to climb the rankings, it is less stress on manipulation of others and more on himself to gain a better reputation. Cassio is concerned about his rankings 'O, I have lost my reputation!' because of the consequences that will follow after Othello strips him of his position.With the reputation of those higher than him coming to his level, Iago then has more of a chance to become Othello's lieutenant because he is effectively next in line. 


Othello says “My blood begins my safer guides to rule/And passion, having my best judgements collied/Assays to lead the way.” (lines 201-203) What does this quotation reveal about the effects of Iago’s knavery in this scene?
Othello admits that he is more of the irrational type (Porey's racial stereotype) as he is lead more by emotions 'passion' which reveals his weak point; what could be argued to be his tragic flaw. This quotation reveals that Iago's plan will most likely work out due to Othello being strongly led by his emotions. This, tied in with Iago's untrustworthy nature, hints that Othello will have his downfall provoked by Iago taking advantage of Othello's irrational trait.

Why is this scene important in relation to the play as a whole?
Consider:
How Iago is presented
What happens in the scene
What this scene indicates about key characters
This scene is important to the play because it is where the place of tragedy really begins. The celebration is the first big event to happen since arriving to Cyprus and brings in Othello's involvement in Iago's plan. Iago is presented as malicious to the audience, especially because he has ruined Cassio's reputation and also managed to create a temporary feud between Roderigo and Cassio 'Dost thou prate, rogue?' (L139). The audience is aware that all of the issues raised are caused by Iago, however the audience are also aware that Iago manages to shift the blame from himself and is able to get away with the other characters not knowing he is behind all of the disputes. As well as the audience getting a stronger awareness of Iago's character, the audience are also made aware that Cassio cannot handle his alcohol, Othello is more led by emotions and Roderigo wants to win over Desdemona which sets a strong basis for the play to build and more mischief for Iago to perpetuate. 

ACT 2 SC 1 QUESTIONS

What sort of person is Cassio?
Cassio is a very open and friendly person because of where he was brought up (Florence) and the way he was brought up. Cassio is aware of his over-friendliness ''tis my breeding that gives me this bold show of courtesy' (L100) and sets the record straight to Iago that he is just being polite to Emilia. Cassio is different from the other men, and this difference is later used against him in the play because sometimes his open behaviour can be interpreted as slightly inappropriate.


How does Iago plan to use Cassio’s character traits to usurp and ensnare both Cassio and Othello?
Iago plans to 'ensnare as great a fly as Cassio' (L167) and 'gyve thee in thine own courtship' (L177), meaning that Iago will essentially get Cassio in a position where he will be caught out by his own morals (being friendly and tactile). Iago wants to take Cassio's place as Lieutenant 'strip you out of your lieutenancy' (L169) and will do this by catching him out when he's being extra friendly to Desdemona 'clyster-pipes for your sake' (L174) and then will convince Othello the situation is worse than it really is.


What does Iago tell Roderigo to do, and why does Iago say it will help Roderigo to win Desdemona’s heart?
Iago convinces Roderigo to persevere with winning Desdemona's heart and tells him that Desdemona will get bored of Othello because he's not as magnificent as he seems 'all which the Moor is defective in' (L225). Desdemona most likely won't get bored of Othello because she does love him. Iago then points out to Roderigo that when Desdemona gets bored of Othello she will go for Cassio 'who stands so eminent in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does' (L231), so convinces Roderigo to carry on with Desdemona and tells Roderigo to make Cassio angry 'anger Cassio' (L260) so that Cassio's reputation will be tainted 'tainting his discipline'(L261). In Roderiogo's eyes, Desdemona will no longer feel lustful towards Cassio after his outbust, so Roderigo can swoop in and win her for himself, when really it's so that Iago will seem better than Cassio and Othello will want Iago as his Lieutenant. Iago finally tells Roderigo to anger Cassio when he is drunk 'he's rash and very sudden in choler' (L264) so that he will humiliate himself in front of everyone at the party and will be easy to manipulate.

What more do we learn about the nature of Iago in Act 2?
What is the effect of having him share his thoughts and plans with us through his soliloquies? Pay attention to the language used in Iago's soliloquies. What sorts of descriptive language does he use? How does it contribute to the picture of Iago that Shakespeare is drawing?

In Act 2, it is more evident that Iago is manipulating and is set on what he wants, therefore will do anything to get it. By Iago sharing his thoughts with the audience with asides, the audience gets a more in depth understanding of Iago as opposed to the other characters. Letting the audience in on Iago's thoughts strengthens the element of tragedy because Iago is a large contributor to Othello's downfall and death, so Iago's soliloquies are a constant reminder that Othello is going to die, including dramatic irony to the piece. Iago uses the first person personal pronoun 'I' in almost every line which make his asides seem extremely personal to the audience and builds a bridge between the audience and his character. Iago talking in soliloquies makes his speeches easier to listen to and comprehend because of the way it's set out and it brings across the idea that Iago thoroughly thinks and plans. Iago also uses lots of metaphors in his soliloquies to create images in the minds of the audience 'Hath leaped into my seat (...) gnaw my inwards' (L287) thus creating a clearer picture of what he has in store.