Shakespeares Merchant of Venice and Othello: Shylock vs Iago Essay

The Merchant of Venice and Othello: Shylock vs Iago      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeare's use of timeless themes make his works relevant to the modern reader.   His two plays "The Merchant of Venice" and "Othello" deal with the seeking of revenge and forbidden love.   In "The Merchant of Venice," Shylock, the main character, is a Jew who loans money and charges interest.   Shylock has an enemy named Antonio who also loans money to people, but without interest.   Iago is a character in "Othello" who has been passed over for a position as Othello's right hand man.   He feels that he deserves the position not the person who received it, Cassio.   Both of these characters want revenge from the people whom they perceive as having done them wrong and will stop at nothing to have their way.   In other words, Shylock and Iago are similar in that they want revenge.   However, there are also many differences in each character that demonstrate that they are in many ways polar opposites.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are many similarities between Iago and Shylock.   One is that they both want revenge from another person.   Shylock wants revenge from Antonio because he has made him look bad in front of the rest of the people of Venice.   Shylock being a moneylender charges interest to the people who borrow money.   On the other hand, Antonio also is a moneylender, but does not charge interest. Iago also wants revenge because he feels that he has been cheated out of a position that he feels he deserves.   The position that he did not get was that of Othello's lieutenant, which was given to Cassio who has knowledge about combat from books.   Iago feels that he has more real experience and that he should have been the one to take that position.   Another similarity is that both charac... ...o does not have to do much to spring his plan into action because everyone believes everything that he says because he is "honest Iago" (1.3.297).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Shylock and Iago are two of the most interesting characters created by Shakespeare.   Their personalities and characteristics make them who they are.   These characters do have some similarities, on the other hand, are different as night and day.   Each one has a different motive for revenge, and also they both go about it in different ways.   Iago will stop at nothing.   Shylock has the reader's sympathy.   Still their desire for revenge ruins them in the end.    Works Cited Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. 1967. Ed. W. Moelwyn Merchant. The New Penguin Shakespeare. London: Penguin Books, 1996. - - -. Othello. 1968. Ed. Kenneth Muir. The New Penguin Shakespeare. London: Penguin Books, 1996.