Iago Quote by W.H. Auden
““As his wife, Emilia must know Iago better than anybody else. She does not know, any more than the others, that he is malevolent, but she does know that her husband is addicted to practical jokes. What Shakespeare gives us in Iago is a portrait of a practical joker of a peculiarly appalling kind, and perhaps the best way of approaching the play is by a general consideration of the Practical Joker.””
About This Quote
The quote suggests that Iago’s malevolence is disguised as a harmless love for practical jokes, urging readers to view him as a twisted joker rather than a straightforward villain.
In simple terms: Iago is a twisted practical joker.
Key Takeaway
Seeing Iago as a joker reframes the tragedy.
Themes
deception
character analysis
theatrical archetype
moral ambiguity
humor
Mood
intrigued
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
interpretive
When to use this quote
- literary analysis class
- theatre director’s rehearsal
- psychology of humor
- character study essay
Key Concepts
Iago’s dual nature
the role of humor in evil
Shakespearean villainy
Practical Applications
- reinterpreting Iago’s motives
- teaching deception in drama
Questions to Reflect On
- How does labeling Iago a joker change our empathy?
- What does this view reveal about the play’s moral structure?
A Different Perspective
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