IAGO: Some Approaches to the Illusion of His Motivation

by Stanley Edgar Hyman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 25, 1970

These five essays are not really addressed to Iago or his motivation--common sense and Mr. Hyman tell us that since he is only a fiction he moves strictly by manipulation. But according to the standard equation, dramatic effectiveness calls for a credible illusion of motive: and as Othello is acknowledged all around to be effective, critics have spent the intervening centuries in pursuit of the elusive X. This is a survey of some of those efforts, five approaches reproduced to show ""different critical vocabularies asking the question within their own system of terms, and getting an answer, not surprisingly, also within their own system of terms."" In a totally similar way the essays are virtually obviated by that remark. In defense, the author offers his symposium theory of pluralist criticism, that from the jangle of part-truth and error whole truth will out. We would suggest instead that a virtuoso performance justifies itself--otherwise these delightful mimicries, in sum, tend to persuade that there is no truth except in the text and that a rich text will survive attack from whatever angle. The audience for this little tour de force will probably be small, but it should be enthusiastic.

Pub Date: Sept. 25, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1970

Categories: NONFICTION