Expert: Arlene Schulman - 11/30/2005

Question
Hi, I am writing an essay on the following title - ‘Will You I Pray Demand Of That Demi-Devil…Why He Hath Thus Enslaved My Soul And Body.'  Do You Have An Answer To Othello's question?

I am having difficulty in understanding the question and what to write about. I assume it's questioning Iago's motvies towards his corruption of Othello, all I can think of is Cassio's promotion to lieutenant and Racial predjudice. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Adam

Answer
Hi Adam,

You are having no problem understand Othello's question.  You have it exactly right.  After killing Desdemona, he then finds out that Iago lied about her and Cassio and that she was innocent.  When confronted by the officials, who have captured and brought Iago to him, and Cassio, Cassio protests his innocence.  Othello tells him he believes him and asks his pardon.  Then Othello asks them to demand of Iago ("that Demi-Devil") why he did this to him.

Your question is to answer Othello's question - why did Iago do this to him?  

There is no one "right" answer to this question.  There is much discussion among experts and scholars as to what Iago's motivation was.  You have named two of their answers and they both probably have some validity.  I think it was a combination of things.  Othello was a Moor - so racial prejudice may have had something to do with it.  More than that, he was a "stranger", different, isolated in a country and culture not his own.  How do you think Iago felt about this stranger, this foreigner, this barbarian (regardless of his actual race or color) attaining the position of general and having sway over his life?  How do think he felt about such a man winning the love of Desdemona, the very flower of Venetian womanhood?  And how do you think he felt when Cassio, this rich, young, untried diletante was promoted over him - he, an experienced soldier who had been tried and tested in battle, one who had been a loyal soldier to Othello and deserved promotion?  

I find it interesting that in devising an "appropriate" punishment for these two men, Othello, who he felt betrayed him and his loyal service, and Cassio, for whom he felt envy and jealousy, Iago used both of those against the men.  He betrayed Othello by instigating jealousy against Cassio.  How ironic.  

Anyway... there are many motivations for Iago's behavior.  You might not entirely agree with my interpretation, and that's great.  Find your own - chances are you can find others motivations and justify them in the text.  Perhaps you think that race had more to do with it than I do.  Many do.  That's why these questions are so interesting - because many answers my be "right" as long as you can justify them with the text.  

Have fun in your search.

Best,
Arlene (MsDirector)