Essay Othello and Walking Dead

Submitted By Cameron-Deadmon
Words: 1091
Pages: 5

Cameron Deadmon
Dr. Lawton
Egnl 1302:56324
May 4, 2015

Opposite yet Familiar

Though many people may reject the idea that Iago from “Othello” and Shane Walsh from “The Walking Dead” share the same vile characteristics, it can be easily displayed through their jealous acts, manipulative ways, and selfish behaviors. The two characters are total opposites in ways of time, and decade but the characteristic make up is familiar. This research will provide not only an analysis of each character and their personalities but will also bring out the similar traits that both these Shakespearean inspired villains share. One of the first characteristics that both Iago and Shane share is jealously. Iago is a very jealous of the Moor (Othello): “I hate the Moor my cause is hearted, thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him” (1.3.365-68). Iago’s deep seeded jealous spirit against Othello is also risen when it comes to the fair Desdemona, “It cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moor”/when she is sated with his body, she will find the error of her choice” (1.3.342-53), These two quotes leading to the belief that Iago has a secret lust for the Moor’s new beautiful bride. This also weighs in on Iago because he feels that Desdemona is far too young and beautiful for Othello. On another note in AMC’s “The Walking Dead” Shane Walsh, the police partner of Rick Grimes soon becomes jealous as he sees Rich arrive with some people at c camp of survivors and reunite with his wife Lori and son Carl. Soon after Lori becomes upset with Shane for lying telling her that her husband was dead, and then having sex with her. She goes on to forbid Shane from seeing Carl as a type of punishment towards him (Totten). Later in the woods Shane with feelings of complete jealously and wanting to be the man in Lori’s life and father in Carl’s, raises a gun at Rick stating “Lori and Carl, they’ll get over you (Totten). Shane believed that if he killed Rick and this time know for sure that he is dead that him and Lori could rekindle the feelings they had then all three Lori, Shane, and Carl could pick up where they left off and be a family. Also when Rick appears at the camp he assumes leadership over the group, this makes Shane more jealous of his leadership driven spirit, and that he was a much better leader than Shane. Another trait that these two characters share is their manipulative ways towards the ones that they claim are their friends. Iago uses his scheming ways to make Othello believe that his wife Desdemona is having an affair on him, “He takes her by the palm: ay, well said, whisper: with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio” (Grace), Iago takes something so small and innocent and plots to twist it against. Later Iago uses belongings that are distinctive against Cassio to discredit him and to make Othello further believe that what is being told to him is true, “I know not that; but such a handkerchief I am sure it was your wife's did I today See Cassio wipe his beard with” (Parker). It is really sad to see that someone who calls themselves loyal to their friend and overseer would take as much time and energy out of their life and surround it by trying to discredit and kill off one person because of a crush. It is by his manipulative ways that Iago sees this as a way to even the score with Desdemona for marrying Othello. Shane, a guy that has fallen victim to circumstances and allows his love for Lori to bring life to his manipulative behavior against the people he once cared about. In one scene there are a lot of walkers and Shane instead of helping out the guy he was with or try to make it out alive he shoots him in the leg intentionally for the walkers to eat him that that Shane can have more time to escape, “Yeah. One of us wasn't gonna make it out. It had to be him. One shot to