Similarities between Aaron from Titus Andronicus and Iago from Othello?

[kelby_lake]

Does anyone else see the similarities?

[Pecksie]

Well, 'Titus' was one of Shakespeare's first plays, and I think one of the differences between Aaron and Iago is that Aaron is much less complex a villain than Iago. Aaron is pure evil, but Iago is refined evil --- and, although Shakespeare barely hints at the grievances that could have made him so bent on 'revenge', these are enough to open a whole spectrum of possibilities. I'd say Aaron is a more primitive, brutal villain altogether --- as is 'Titus Andronicus' the play, at least when compared to 'Othello'.

The similarities, on the other hand, are easy to spot --- vicious cruelty, absence of remorse, immorality (or amorality)... there are many.

[kelby_lake]

That's what I sort of decided, that Aaron was actually really evil. Because Iago never boasts about digging up people's lovers and etching messages into them does he?

Both are servants, both are clever. Both blatantly ignore their lover/wife and embrace evil. Iago talks about Othello's soul being enfettered to Desdemona, Aaron talks about Tamora being enfettered to him. Both are condemened to death, yet do not die in the space of the play.

[cyclohexane]

I'm "bumping" this thread to see what else people might think of the similarities that Iago and Aaron might have.

Also, can someone explain how Shakespeare makes the audience feel like a villain is in the story.. as in.. we get a sense from reading the play that Aaron and Iago are evil characters. They are always scheming and such, they get huge lines, etc.

What kinds of things does Shakespeare do in his writings, specifically in relation to Aaron's story and Iago's.

Help is appreciated :)

[arkhamsouth]

Hello,
I ended up writing a blog about this same subject... I had just seen Titus at the Blackfriers theater in Staunton VA, and felt a connection between Aaron and Iago... It's a little long, so you can just read it at:
http://marylandshakespeare.com/2010/01/19/titus-aaron-the-moor/

Or if they don't allow website addresses in a post... I will just cut and past it here...
Thanks



I'm "bumping" this thread to see what else people might think of the similarities that Iago and Aaron might have.

Also, can someone explain how Shakespeare makes the audience feel like a villain is in the story.. as in.. we get a sense from reading the play that Aaron and Iago are evil characters. They are always scheming and such, they get huge lines, etc.

What kinds of things does Shakespeare do in his writings, specifically in relation to Aaron's story and Iago's.

Help is appreciated :)

[kelby_lake]

Titus may be a tragedy but it's actually more like a melodrama about politics- the bloodshed is extreme.

Aaron does look like an early sketch for Iago- there is wit in what some of Aaron says and he is clever, despite being at the bottom of the pile.

[robertcohang]

I think it'd be easier to point out the differences, is this for a paper?
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