Harold Bloom describes Iago's character as a "moral pyromaniac setting fire to all of reality", based on Shakespeare's presentation of Iago's character in "Othello". To what extend do you agree with Bloom's view?

Ken Jacobsens description of Iago’s “machiavellian moments” in Othello accurately describe his characteristic tendencies to “interpersonal manipulation” and “indifference to morality” in the play, challenging Bloom’s contrasting description of him as a “moral pyromaniac”. While Bloom may be suggesting that Iago, as a “pyromaniac” or a person who cannot refrain from setting fires is moralised by a sense of self control instead of a genuine sense of morality, his inclusion of Iago within the plays thematic exploration of morality is justifiably inaccurate, and thus his view is only accurate to a limited extent. “Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light”; Iago’s plans to “abuse Othello’s ear” are depicted by Shakespeare as a villainous right of passage on Iago’s commitment to “set fire to all of reality”. In conjunction with Bloom’s view, Iago can be easily characterised as a pyromaniac in this sense, but whether he is a moral one is questionable in light of his obvious demonstration of commitment and strategy. Thus it is more appropriate to relate him to a Machiavellian character than a pyromaniac one. The use of villainous imagery conveyed through Shakespeare’s thematic description of “hell and night”, in juxtaposition with more lively ideas such as “birth” and “light”, establishes a sense of duality that is reflected in Iago’s character. Bloom perhaps reflects this duality by characterising both his moral restraint and his insatiable pyromania, but fails to present this duality as the Machiavellian representation of an appetite for evil and the ability to wear many masks that so convey morality. Hence, whilst Bloom captures the duality of Iago’s character, he does not do it in a light that represents the depth of Iago’s machinations, a depth that is perhaps better captured by a Machiavellian representation of him. Conclusively, Bloom’s representation is accurate but to a limited extent, as it neglects the attributes of Iago’s disposition that allow him to act so maliciously, instead suggesting he is a victim of a chronic illness or tendency to cause disruption with a great moral ability to control himself; as opposed to someone with the ability to wear many masks with an inclination to duplicitous manipulation.