Comparing The Human Condition In Othello And Animal Farm
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The Development of a Substandard Human Condition
Karl Marx once wrote, “It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social being that determines their consciousness.” This is demonstrated by the exploitation and oppression of the lower class. In William Shakespeare’s Othello and George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the human condition deteriorates as a result of power-hungry actions. To begin, Iago continuously uses Roderigo as a pawn in his quest for more power. Whenever Iago needs assistance to further his plans, he takes advantage of Roderigo. Iago admits: “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse: / For I mine own gain’d knowledge should profane” (1.3.386-387). Since Iago is Othello’s Ancient and Roderigo is only a Venetian gentleman, Iago believes that Roderigo’s value lies in his assets and not his brain. Furthermore, Iago cares little whether life is lost as long as he achieves his objective. “I have rubbed this young quat…show more content… Emilia is blinded by the desire for Iago to love her and acknowledge her accomplishments, but refuses to accept that he is verbally abusing her. She picks up Desdemona’s handkerchief, saying: “I’ll have the work ta’en out / And give ‘t Iago. / What he will do with it / Heaven knows, not I. / I nothing but to please his fancy” (3.3.340-343). Emilia is extremely devoted to Iago and will submit to his every whim despite her love being unrequited and unknowing of his motives. Even so, she has contributed greatly to Iago’s plan, yet he continues to belittle her. “You have a thing for me? It is a common thing,” he ridicules, “to have a foolish wife” (3.3.346-348). Iago believes that Emilia is not intelligent and has nothing to offer him, ensuring that she feels perpetually despondent. Therefore, Iago’s inherently villainous nature towards Emilia impairs the development of the human condition, as it becomes a natural