Hello, everyone, and welcome to your lesson on Iago as a Machiavellian villain in the play "Othello." I'm Ms. Sutherland, and I'll be teaching you today.

By the end of today's lesson, you would've evaluated Iago's presentation as a Machiavellian villain.

So we're looking at the character of Iago in some more detail today, and we're looking at how he could be seen as a Machiavellian villain.

So our four keywords today are soliloquy, knavery, Machiavellian, and treachery.

A soliloquy is an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud by oneself.

And Iago has plenty soliloquies for "Othello," as we will see.

It's where the audience get to know the inner workings of his mind, and it's where we find out about all his plots and schemes.

Knavery, knavery is a deceitful or dishonest act.

Machiavellian, Machiavellian describes someone who gets what they want in cunning, ruthless, and immoral ways.

We'll be seeing in today's lesson how Iago could be seen as Machiavellian.

And lastly, treachery, treachery means betrayal of trust.

I'll give you a moment to jot down any of those keywords.

Great, so in today's lesson, we'll start by reading Iago's soliloquy, and then we will explore him as a Machiavellian villain, and we'll discover what exactly makes him Machiavellian.

So let's start off with Iago's soliloquy.

In act one, scene one of "Othello," we met Iago, who talked of his hatred of Othello.

I wanted to think about this question.

What did Iago do to stir up disorder in act one, scene one and get revenge on Othello for not giving him a promotion? Pause the video and discuss that question.

Now, you may remember that Iago told Brabantio, Desdemona's father, that she had eloped with Othello.

And Iago attempted to rile up Brabantio by using racial slurs against Othello.

So that is one way he sought revenge on Othello, by telling Desdemona's father that she had run off with Othello.

In this next scene, act one, scene two, Brabantio accuses Othello of bewitching his daughter to fall in love.

And Othello defends himself eloquently, and Desdemona takes Othello's side.

In act one, scene three, Iago decides to find another way to seek revenge on Othello, and that's what we'll be looking at now.

Let's read Iago's soliloquy from act one, scene three in which he reveals his plans.

"I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets he has done my office.

I know not if't be true, but I, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety.

He holds me well.

The better shall my purpose work on him.

Hmm, Cassio's a proper man.

Let me see now to get his place and to plume up my will in double knavery.

How? How? Let's see.

After some time to abuse Othello's ear that he is too familiar with his wife, he hath a person and a smooth dispose to be suspected, framed to make women false.

The Moor is of a free and open nature." Now, let's take a look at this highlighted section.

In this section, Iago is saying that there are rumours that his wife has been unfaithful with a fellow.

So Iago's wife is Emilia, and there are rumours going around that Emilia and Othello have had some sort of affair.

Now, Iago isn't sure whether this is the truth.

He says, "I know not if it be true," but he will take it as if it is the truth.

He's saying, but for mere suspicion will do as if for surety.

So what we see here is that Iago has yet another reason to hate Othello.

Not only has Othello passed him over for a promotion, but also Othello may have been involved with his wife.

You can decide for yourself whether you think that Othello and Amelia have had an affair or whether Iago is just exaggerating the situation.

Another thing to look at here is this line.

"He holds me well.

The better shall my purpose work on him." At this point, Iago is thinking about how he will get revenge on Othello.

What do you think he's trying to say in that line, "He holds me well.

The better shall my purpose work on him"? Pause the video and have a think.

So you may have said that what Iago is saying is that Othello holds him well, meaning that Othello views him highly.

Othello respects him.

Therefore, my plan shall be more likely to go ahead because he'll trust me because he thinks highly of me.

So we can see Othello, we can see Iago here is very clever.

He's thought this through very well, and he's knows exactly how to get what he wants.

Iago hatches a plan.

He says that Cassio is a handsome man, and he says that he can abuse Othello's ear that he Cassio is too familiar with Othello's wife, Desdemona.

What do you think he means by this? What do you think Iago is planning to do by those quotes? Pause the video and have a think.

Well, Iago says Cassio is handsome and that he can abuse Othello's ear that Cassio has been too familial with Desdemona.

So what that means is that Iago is going to frame Cassio as having an affair with Desdemona, and he's going to abuse Othello's ear by telling him that they have been having an affair.

He's going to make Othello upset and jealous.

Let's carry on reading.

"The Moor is of a free and open nature." What do you think Iago is saying about Othello here when he says, "The Moor is of a free and open nature"? Pause the video and have a think.

When Iago says Othello has a free and open nature, he basically means that Othello is too trusting and perhaps gullible.

"The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so and will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are.

Hmm, I have't.

It is engender'd.

Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light." What do you notice about Iago's declaration about the plan he's come up with, and how does he appear villainous here? Pause the video and have a think.

If you look closely at that section, Iago appears very villainous because he's calling on hell and night to bring this monstrous plan to fruition.

So he recognises here that this is a despicable scheme that he's come up with, and he knows it's evil.

So he's calling upon evil spirits, and hell, and night, and darkness to make this plan happen.

So we can see here how he's really embracing his role as villain in the play.

He knows exactly how evil he's being, and he's revelling in it.

Let's check your understanding of what we've read so far.

What does Iago say about Othello in his soliloquy? Does he say that he's not a worthy general? Does he say that Desdemona does not truly love him? Or does he say he trusts men too easily? Pause the video and have a think.

Well done if you said Iago in his soliloquy says Othello trusts men to easily.

Remember, he said, "The Moor is of an open and free nature." That means perhaps he trusts men too easily.

Perhaps Othello is gullible.

We have all of these very, very interesting quotes from Iago's soliloquy.

Reread these quotes and consider how each of these present him as a villain.

Maybe they showed slightly different sides of his character, but how could they all be linked to him as a villain? Pause video and have a think.

Some really interesting discussions there.

Let's share some ideas.

Iago says, "He holds me well." The better shall my purpose work on him." In that quote, he's saying that Othello thinks highly of Iago.

So Othello's trust in him essentially makes it easier to deceive him.

And that shows Iago as a very treacherous person, the fact he's willing to break Othello's trust white happily.

The next quote, "I have't.

It is engender'd.

Hell and nights must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light." Iago is calling upon the darkness and evil presences of hell to help his monstrous plan go ahead, which is a very, very sinister moment, therefore presenting him as a villain.

The next quote, "To abuse Othello's ear that he is too familiar with his wife." Look at that word abuse there.

That shows he knows the lies he will tell will torment Othello.

He wants to abuse Othello's ear.

He knows the devastating impact of his words, and yet he still does it, showing he, Iago, is a villain.

The next quote, "The Moor thinks men honest that but seem to be so and will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are." Iago mocks Othello's trust in men, comparing him to a donkey that can be led easily.

This shows Iago's contempt for Othello's honour, presenting Iago as the antithesis.

So Iago shows a complete disdain and disrespect for anyone that's noble in character.

That shows how Iago is the exact opposite of noble, of honourable.

And lastly, "Let me see now, to get his place and to plume up my will in double knavery.

How? How? Let's see." This shows Iago actively searching for a way to trick Othello.

He's racking his mind for a way to trick Othello.

It shows how scheming and calculated he is as a villain.

Well done on analysing all of those quotes.

We're now moving on to our second learning cycle where we will explore Iago as a Machiavellian villain.

So some people argue Iago is a Machiavellian villain.

So what is, exactly, a Machiavellian villain? So the word Machiavellian is an adjective, and it describes someone who gets what they want in cunning, ruthless, and immoral ways.

And a villain is a noun.

In literature, it refers to someone who commits evil actions in a story.

So a Machiavellian villain, therefore, is a villain who is especially cunning, ruthless, and immoral and serves themself.

I want you to pause the video and think about if you know any Machiavellian villains from literature.

Have you read any books in which you have come across a villain like this? Pause the video and have a think.

Some really interesting discussions there.

I don't think I've ever come across someone that is a Machiavellian villain more than Iago.

Now, let's learn a little bit more about what a Machiavellian villain is.

The phrase Machiavellian became popular after a man called Niccolo.

Machiavelli wrote a book called "The Prince" in 1513.

"The Prince" is about what it takes to be a successful ruler, and Machiavelli's thesis is that to get and maintain power, you have to be prepared to be evil.

And this might include being immoral and duplicitous, resorting to treachery, manipulating others, and operating in secrecy.

Let's check your understanding of what a Machiavellian villain is.

What is not characteristic of a Machiavellian villain? Is it that they hold a grudge, they manipulate others, they operate in secrecy, or that they are duplicitous? Pause the video and have a think.

Well done if you said holding a grudge is not a characteristic of a Machiavellian villain.

However, manipulating others, operating in secrecy, and being duplicitous definitely are.

And what it means to be duplicitous is to act one way towards a person, maybe to act kindly and loyally to a person, but deep down wanting the exact opposite for them and not holding them in high regard deep down.

So we've now met Iago twice.

I want you to think about, so far, does Iago exhibit any qualities of a Machiavellian villain? So think back to act one, scene one where he spoke to Rodrigo about Othello and when he decided to tell Brabantio of Othello and Desdemona's elopement.

And of course, think back to the soliloquy we read in today's lesson.

Also, think about the style in which Iago seems to choose when talking about his schemes.

Could that tell us anything about him as a character? Pause the video and have a think.

Some really interesting ideas there.

Let's explore if Iago has acted in any of the following ways.

Has he been immoral and duplicitous? Has he resorted to treachery? Has he manipulated others, and has he operated in secrecy? Let's explore.

Iago has been immoral and duplicitous.

He will tell a carefully crafted lie to Othello and all the while pretending to be loyal.

Remember how he said he will wear a visage of duty but deep down keep his heart attending on himself? That proves he will be duplicitous.

The next one, does Othello resort to treachery? Does he resort to betrayal? He does because he knows Othello has a high esteem of him.

He knows Othello respects and trusts him, and yet he's willing to throw that away by manipulating him.

Does Iago manipulate others? Yes, he will play on Othello's insecurities and passion for his wife to make him believe his wife has been unfaithful, and he will use Cassio and Desdemona in that scheme as well.

And lastly, we know Iago operates in secrecy because he devises his plans in private, and we know that because he uses soliloquy so no one hears.

Well done if you said any of those things.

Let's check your understanding of how Iago could be considered a Machiavellian villain.

Which of the following could be used to argue that Iago is presented as a Machiavellian villain? I want you to select two possible answers.

Pause the video and answer that question.

Now, we know Iago could be seen as a Machiavellian villain because he talks of his hatred and schemes for Othello by soliloquy, meaning he talks about plotting revenge on Othello privately.

So that means he operates in secrecy, much like a Machiavellian villain.

And we know he is also a Machiavellian villain because he pretends to be loyal towards Othello, presenting him as duplicitous and treacherous, much like a Machiavellian villain.

Well done if you said either of those things.

I now want you to use the three sentence stems on the screen to explore Iago's presentation as a Machiavellian villain.

The sentence stems that you need to use in your answer are, "Arguably, Iago is presented as a Machiavellian villain because," so that's where you need to prove that he is indeed a Machiavellian villain.

The next one is, "Arguably, Iago is presented as a Machiavellian villain," but so that's where you need to explore if there's any other interpretations of his character perhaps.

And lastly, "Arguably, Iago is presented as a Machiavellian villain, so." This is the section in which you need to say the reason why Iago may have been presented as a Machiavellian villain.

So this is where you can really consider Shakespeare's purpose in presenting Iago as a possible Machiavellian villain.

Pause the video and complete those sentence starters to show your understanding of Iago as a Machiavellian villain in this play so far.

Excellent, let's go through what you may have said.

You may have said, arguably, Iago is presented as a Machiavellian villain because he resorts to treachery to get revenge over Othello.

So that's our proof that he's a Machiavellian villain.

Next one, arguably, Iago is presented as a Machiavellian villain, but he is also presented as a bigot who mocks Othello on the basis of race.

So that's where we've explored another interpretation of Iago's character.

We're saying he's could be perceived as both by the audience.

And lastly, arguably, Iago is presented as a Machiavellian villain so the audience can truly sympathise with tragic hero Othello's plight with the knowledge that a treacherous villain led him to his downfall.

So in that last sentence, we're talking about the consequence of characterising Iago as a Machiavellian villain.

And one consequence is so the audience can truly shift all their sympathy to Othello because if we see what an evil presence has been manipulating him, we can give a lot more sympathy to this character that suffers as a result.

Well done on completing all those sentences.

So let's go through what we've learned today.

Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince" proposes that, in order to get and maintain power, you have to be prepared to be evil.

A Machiavellian villain is scheming and operates in secrecy.

A Machiavellian villain is a puppet master manipulating and using others as tools.

And lastly, Iago reveals his commitment to knavery through his soliloquies.

I hope you've enjoyed today's lesson and that you'll join me in another one soon.