Hamm on Iago

Andrew Hamm came to speak to us today about Shakespeare. I thouroughly enjoyed his presentation; he introduced an entirely new way to look at Shakespeare. At first introducing the book as the enemy, he made Shakespeare come alive as a performance. It cannot be read, it must be enacted. He also opened my eyes to the character Iago. Iago is known is known Shakespeare's ultimate villain. His motivations are countless: resentment that Othello passed him over for a promotion in favor of Michael Cassio; jealousy because he heard a rumor that Othello slept with Iago's wife, Emilia; and suspicion that Cassio slept with Emilia too. Hamm introduced the idea that maybe Iago's true motivation is not any of excuses but the fact that that he is inherently evil.

"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 th' nose
As asses are.
I have 't. It is engendered! Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light"
(31).

In his soliloquy, Iago brings to light his devilish plan to kill Othello. He really is a cruel person with no real reason for wanting to kill Othello. Hamm recognized that every other villain in Shakespeare had a legitimate motivation for doing their bad deeds. (For Example, Cassius's motivation is pure patriotism and fear of Caesar being a despotic ruler in Julius Caesar.) Hamm had a lot of interesting points and knowledge to share. I'm really glad he came to the class today.