By: Muhammad Adnan Gujjar and Tajallah Qureshi
The Shakespeare of the Punjabi language and the Shakespeare of the English language are quite unique in their humanistic approach. They artistically encapsulate their time, which is not frozen but constant, making it possible to say that they are not specific to a particular era; rather, they are universal and belong to all ages. Their characters are not confined to the past; rather, their characters transcend past, present, and future. For instance, Heer and Ranjha are universal characters. These two can be found in every culture in various forms and perspectives. Similarly, Romeo and Juliet are recognizable in all cultures, but the two satanic and evil characters are quite universal: Qaido and Iago.
Firstly, the theme of manipulation and deceit is discussed. Both characters use different manipulative strategies to deceive others to fulfill their purposes. Both characters have similar dimensions because they use deceptive strategies to achieve their goals. The difference lies in their underlying motives: Iago’s actions stem from personal and professional jealousy towards Othello, who promoted Cassio over him. On the other hand, Qaido’s actions are driven by his desire for prestige, to maintain his powerful persona, and to uphold his family’s honor and respect. In their culture at that time, there was no concept of love-based marriages; society viewed such marriages negatively. Qaido aimed to preserve this societal norm, portraying himself as hailing from a prestigious family.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Iago’s deceitful strategies have a wide-ranging impact not only on Othello but also on Roderigo, his wife Emilia, Cassio, and other characters. To execute his evil plan, he deftly tempts Cassio to drink despite his reluctance. Iago manipulates deaths to his advantage, following a Machiavellian code where the ends justify the means (Bradley, 1904).
Similarly, in “Heer Ranjha,” Qaido twists the story with dishonesty and trickery. As Heer’s brother, Qaido tries to make decisions for his sister’s benefit, particularly concerning marriage and social standing. He plots against Heer and Ranjha’s marriage with cunning tactics
Qaido is a representation of the societal norms of the time, which often disapproved of love-related marriages. He uses deception and trickery to maintain his family’s reputation and social position, illustrating his commitment to upholding the cultural norms that define happiness (Ahmed, 2008).
However, Iago and Qaido act dishonestly and manipulate others for quite different reasons. Iago’s animosity toward Othello fuels his actions, which are primarily driven by personal resentment and a desire for personal gain (Bloom, 1998).
In contrast, Qaido’s actions advance his objectives but are also shaped by social mores and his sense of duty to uphold his family’s honor (Ahmed, 2008).
The second relevant element is power acquisition. Iago wants and desires to have all the power. He cannot compete with Othello; as a result, Othello gains all the power. Moreover, Othello promoted Cassio as his lieutenant instead of Iago, which creates professional jealousy in Iago. Iago cannot surpass Othello professionally, but he finds a flaw or an opportunity to destroy his life.
In “Heer Ranjha,” we find patriarchy. If Heer had made decisions about her own life (such as choosing a love marriage), male supremacy and the patriarchal character would have been demolished, and Qaido would not have been able to control Heer’s life. To sustain this power and patriarchy, Qaido did everything.
Iago manipulates Othello’s downfall to improve his position and achieve power because he is disappointed that Othello chose Cassio over him (Bradley, 1904). Iago’s fear of being ignored motivates his ambition to become a leader and exert control over the individuals in his social circle. Iago’s quest for power thus represents his desire to be noticed, as well as his aspiration for social rank and authority.
On the other side, Qaido’s ambition for dominance in “Heer Ranjha” is rooted in social expectations of his time and patriarchal traditions. As Heer’s older brother, Qaido attempts to exert influence over her life, particularly regarding her marriage, in order to uphold his family’s reputation and social position (Ahmed, 2008). Qaido’s quest for dominance extends to his family and society; he seeks to control Heer’s fate and maintain their standing in their community (Ahmed, 2008). Qaido employs this struggle for dominance to perpetuate patriarchy and uphold social norms (Ahmed, 2008).
In conclusion, while both Iago and Qaido are motivated by a desire for power, Iago also harbors personal resentment and a need for social validation. Qaido’s actions are largely driven by the legitimacy of societal and patriarchal norms.
Human nature is analyzed in both tragedies. In “Othello,” Iago observes the weaknesses of other characters and exploits them to achieve his own goals (e.g., Othello’s insecurities about his appearance and race were his vulnerabilities).
Qaido’s nature and personality were such that he resisted any change and took on the responsibility of preserving social norms, even staunchly opposing Heer’s decisions.
Iago appears to understand how easily human nature can be manipulated by instincts, and he exploits this to further his own agenda (Bloom, 1998).
Qaido, a character from “Heer Ranjha,” holds an unconventional perspective on human behavior. Qaido comes across as a steadfast individual resistant to change, influenced by family traditions and societal obligations. His actions align with his belief that it is everyone’s fundamental responsibility to uphold social and familial structures. He seems to advocate for conformity to social norms regardless of personal preferences and emotions. This is evident in his persistent efforts to separate Heer and Ranjha and compel Heer into an unwanted marriage (Ahmed, 2008).
Iago and Qaido both have distorted perceptions of what it means to be human. Iago exploits what he perceives as inherent flaws in people, while Qaido establishes a restrictive social structure because he believes everyone has obligations and responsibilities. These contrasting viewpoints offer a perceptive comparative analysis of how each character uses their understanding of human nature to influence and control their respective narratives.
Iago’s personal goal was to destroy Othello’s life, and his manipulative strategies affected not only Othello but also had an impact on other characters. This includes the murder of Desdemona, Emilia, Roderigo, and serious attacks on Cassio.
In “Heer Ranjha,” Qaido influences Heer’s life significantly, as well as Ranjha’s life and family. Moreover, he strongly impacts society by opposing love-marriage to preserve his social norms and family honor.
Iago uses cunning manipulation and deceit to gain control in “Othello.” The tragic chain of events in the play is sparked by his words and actions. By deftly exploiting Othello’s faith in and love for Desdemona, Iago incites doubts about Desdemona’s loyalty, leading to Othello’s tragic jealousy. He also deceives Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello’s wife Emilia, demonstrating that his influence extends beyond Othello (Bradley, 1904). The tragic deaths of Othello, Desdemona, and others illustrate the destructive power of Iago’s influence. His ability to manipulate others’ opinions and behaviors underscores his cunning nature and highlights the devastating consequences of his actions.
In contrast, Qaido from “Heer Ranjha” wields power due to his social standing and familial obligations. As Heer’s older brother, he assumes control over her life decisions, particularly regarding her marriage. Qaido orchestrates the separation of Heer and Ranjha by arranging Heer’s marriage to another man, which ultimately leads to tragic outcomes (Ahmed, 2008). Consequently, Qaido exerts a stronger authoritarian influence driven by his commitment to protect family honor and uphold social customs, even at the cost of his sister’s happiness.
Despite employing different approaches, both individuals use their power to drive the plot, leading to the tragic demise of the main protagonists in both stories. The narratives of Iago and Qaido illuminate the complex nature of human behavior and cultural norms, demonstrating how power dynamics profoundly influence relationships and events.
Iago is jealous of Othello’s success and resentful that Othello promoted Cassio to lieutenant instead of him. He also suspected his wife Emilia and Othello of having an affair. In “Heer Ranjha,” we do not see this personally but on a broader societal level. There was a rigid pattern where only males could make decisions, and women were not allowed to do so. Qaido’s resentment stemmed from his belief that Heer should not make her own life decisions.Top of Form
Bottom of Form
In contrast to Iago, Qaido’s character in “Heer Ranjha” is not motivated by personal jealousy or resentment. His actions are largely driven by concern for his family’s honor and social status. However, one could argue that his desire to maintain or even surpass the social standing and respectability of other families in their town demonstrates a form of envy. His efforts to control Heer’s life, particularly her marital decisions, could be interpreted as an expression of social envy or a competitive drive rooted in societal norms and standards (Ahmed, 2008).
Although Iago and Qaido manifest envy and jealousy differently, these emotions nonetheless serve as significant emotional motivations that catalyze both characters’ behaviors, leading to crucial events in their respective narratives.
Written by, Muhammad Adnan Gujjar, Lecturer at the University of Chenab, Pakistan and Tajallah Qureshi, Poetess, Author, University of Lahore, Gujrat Campus, Pakistan
Similar Posts by Mt Kenya Times:
- Mt Kenya Times ePAPER May 13, 2026
- Democratic Party of Kenya strengthens global women leadership ties at Morocco conference
- Obado, Barchok, Wairia among former and current officials facing crucial week in anti-graft courts
- Murang’a Youth Summit challenges young people to embrace leadership, unity and innovation
- Opposition leaders demands justice for slain PCEA clergy