Coleridge famously describes the analysis of Iago as "the motive hunting of a motiveless malignity". Using the soliloquies as a starting point, discuss your view of Iago and compare your views with other critics.

... English Literature Kelly - Anne McGurk Coleridge famously describes the analysis of Iago as "the motive hunting of a motiveless malignity". Using the soliloquies as a starting point, discuss your view of Iago and compare your views with other critics. Of all Shakespeare's villainous creations Iago stands out as being the most wickedly stimulating yet most misunderstood character. His apparent lack of motive but somehow effortless flair for causing deliberate cruelty and revelling in the obliteration that he has orchestrated has been widely disputed amongst many literary critics such as the esteemed Samuel Taylor Coleridge, RK.Flatter and Norman Sanders. When faced with the question of whether Iago is actually as motiveless as he seems, the audience begin the search as to why Iago is so cruel. However, the hunt for these motives is almost impossible as Iago tries to convince himself that he is perfectly justified to act as he does. Nonetheless, his

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