Othello Essays Iago

Iago Is The Protagonist In Othello
William Shakespeare's Othello is a remarkable tale of trust, deceitfulness, lust and the most
destructive of human emotions: vengeance and hatred. Iago better known as Othello's antagonist
embodies vengeance and hatred to move an agenda to squash all who oppose Iago's plans. As
defined by Merrium–Webster the definition of a protagonist is a principal character in a literary
work or a leading actor, character, or participant in a literary work. Othello by Shakespeare is a play
about Othello an example of a tragic hero with all figures centered around Othello as the protagonist
yet, Othello has two main leading characters. Iago and Othello have stark contrasts as leading roles
and different themes represented through the actions, words, and...show more content...
As a masterful leading machiavellian character Iago exploits the flaw all characters poses in
Othello which is faith versus doubt in others. A powerful role to mold an entire play behind the
goal of a singular entity under the eyes of a scholar qualifies as a protagonist( Hull). Iago breaks
the boundaries that define antagonist or protagonist by being complex enough and having
enough lines that place him on par if not above Othello (West 42 ). The main flaw in the
protagonist argument is how Iago is a static character without any clear transformation. Evidence
from his lack of change exist in act one and to the final act is continuously lying and trying to
create chaos. Antagonist or protagonist Iago's actions qualify as morally wrong when usually a
protagonist that drives the plot is working for good; however, by definition a protagonist is not
inertly of good moral code. ( Hull) Iago has an interesting set of flaws and advantages showing
characteristics of a psychopath. Without flaws Iago would lose his humane characteristics and
potentially lose the audiences interest ( West 13). Iago has no positive moral compass and an
unexplained desire to destroy friend or foe even after the fact that Othello murders Desdemona
qualifies the character as psychotic. Iago even recognizes his planning of evil actions to ruin
Othello as simply a game " Let us be conjunctive against him. If thou canst cuckold him, thou dost
thyself a pleasure, me a sport. (Act 1 Scene
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How Does Iago Use Racism In Othello
Shakespeare's Othello, analyses the idea of racism in relationships. Racism is explored through the
characters of Iago and Brabantio, where we see racial dialog throughout the play. This racism is
aimed directly at Othello; a brave moor general and supreme commander of the Venetian army. Iago
uses racism to target Othello with racial insults and uses it to manipulate others. White people
during the Elizabethan Era believed that they are the superior race but in reality, they are not; all
races are equal and everyone is equal to one another. Humans are not born racist, racism is a thing
that a person develops and is absorbed under the influence of society. Shakespeare expresses racism
as a negative thing and demonstrates this by showing how...show more content...
Brabantio rejects Desdemona's love towards Othello because during the Elizabethan Era, Venice
was largely occupied by white people and therefore black people were unaccepted throughout the
society. Iago knew that Brabantio was racist towards the "Moor" and used Brabantio's attitude
towards the idea of an interracial marriage to manipulate Brabantio and rile his men against
Othello. "Awake! Brabantio! Thieves, thieves! Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!
Thieves, thieves!" (Act 1, Scene 1). Iago refers Othello as a thief and accuses him of stealing
Brabantio's daughter. Brabantio would not accept that his daughter; Desdemona have fallen in love
with Othello. Brabantio then falsely accuses Othello of using magic to possess his daughter
Desdemona. "Damned as you are, you've put a spell on her!" (Act 1, Scene 1) William Shakespeare
uses the setting in Venice to emphasize the inequality towards the Moors. Everyone is different but
no one deserves to be treated

First Impressions Of Iago In Othello
Iago is a cunning villain and as such, he is able to manipulate others into their own demise. For
example, at the end of the second scene in act four, Roderigo enters to confront Iago. Roderigo has
"wasted [him]self out of [his] means" for Iago to allocate money to gifts for Desdemona
(4.2.216–217). However, Iago has not given her any gifts at all. In order to avoid further
confrontation, Iago entices him with flattery. He says he sees the "mettle in [Roderigo who] is not
without wit and judgement" (4.2.236, 4.2.244). Additionally, Iago tempts Roderigo withDesdemona
and a promise that he can "devise engines" to take Iago's life should he fail to deliver on his word
(4.2.250). Iago has played to Roderigo's weaknesses: beautiful women, money,

Who Is Iago In Othello
In "Othello," William Shakespeare creates a devious character, Iago. He is a very educated young
man, who lacks ethics enabling is character to deceive those around him, disguising his true
character. With audience perception, opposing character perceptions, Iago portrays a brilliant,
manipulative villain who is concealed with false sympathy, integrity and empathy.

Essay about Iago Of Othello
Iago of "Othello"
What makes a good villain? What qualities make one villain stand out from another? Is it their
demeanor, ruthlessness, or the methods that they employ to accomplish their tasks? In any case, a
great villain must leave the reader with a respect for their methods and a question about their
motives. In Shakespeare's Othello, there is one character in Iago that fulfills all of these
qualifications. Iago is a wonderful villain because he gains other's trust, relentlessly takes
advantage of his peers' flaws, and unapologetically causes the deaths of his counterparts in order to
achieve his goals. The main weapon Iago used in his villainy was trust. Iago knew how to play to
each character's personality to get them to...show more content...
Aside from being Othello's right–hand man throughout a majority of the play, he also has a level of
comfort with Cassio. This comfort is shown in his willingness to talk about Desdemona when the
two are on night patrol. This reliance was something Iago exploited each time he had a chance.
Every time a desire was expressed, Iago was there with a solution that always benefited Iago in
the end. For instance, it was Iago that suggested to Roderigo that he attempt to kill Cassio in
order to get Desdemona to be interested in him. It was also Iago's work in stoking up the fires of
revenge in Othello's belly regarding the "affair" between Desdemona and Cassio. For each
situation, every word that was said was for the advancement of Iago and the destruction of all
others. Iago also acts as a contributor to each character's flaws in the play. For example, in act
two, Iago influences Cassio to have some drinks in order to start a quarrel between Cassio and
Roderigo. In another example, in act three, Iago gets Othello to believe that there is an affair
between Desdemona and Cassio by building on the suspicions and doubts that Othello had before
Iago even spoke to him. Finally, as the "smoking gun" that Othello was looking for, Iago presents the
handkerchief to Othello along with a fabricated story about it's whereabouts. These actions
contribute to the eventual demise of all of these characters, but it also leads to

Othello
Iago, in Shakespeare's Othello, is a deceiving character because he tells lies in order to get what he
wants. He interacts with people only to manipulate them, but most importantly he never reveals his
true feelings or motives. Iago might say things that suggest what his motive is, but he soon
contradicts himself with another suggestion making it extremely difficult to understand him.
Although Iago's true motives cannot be determined, some motives could be jealousy, the enjoyment
of seeing people suffer, or power. Iago's jealous of Othello and Cassio because he thinks that both of
them slept with his wife, Emilia. In Iago's first soliloquy at the end of act 1, Iago says that Othello
might have slept with his wife and even though this is a...show more content...
Iago is a very clever person and he enjoys seeing how idiots make fools of themselves. One of
these idiots is Iago's "buddy," Roderigo. Roderigo is a typical wealthy, Venetian aristocrat who is
madly in love with Desdemona and he has given Iago the task of helping him woo her. Iago uses
this to his advantage, even though Iago uses Roderigo to ruin Cassio and Othello, he gets some
amusement by watching Roderigo prance around and go nuts over Desdemona. Iago also finds it
funny when Roderigo wants to go kill himself after he finds out that Desdemona married Othello.
There are multiple times throughout the play where Roderigo should have known that Iago was just
using him for money and some laughs and since Roderigo doesn't pick up on this, Iago can use
Roderigo to his advantage.
Power is probably the most important motive. Iago is very conniving and clever and he can use
this to manipulate people. It is clearly seen that Iago thrives for power because he loves
manipulating people so that they doe exactly what he says. He does this to Roderigo many times,
like when Iago tells Roderigo to give him all of his money and when he convinces Roderigo to
kill Cassio. He even controls Othello to the point that Othello suspects his wife and decides to kill
her. Iago's thirst for power is also seen when Cassio is appointed to be Othello's lieutenant because
this was, supposedly, the basis for his revenge. He really wanted to be lieutenant because it is a

Shakespeare's Othello
Othello's Iago
We find in William Shakespeare's tragic play Othello an example of personified evil. He is the
general's ancient, Iago, and he wreaks havoc and destruction on all those under his influence.
Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar in "The Engaging Qualities of Othello" comment on how
the character of Iago is the wholly expected type of villain for an Elizabethan audience:
Iago at once captures the attention of the spectator. He is the personification of the villain that
Elizabethans had come to expect from Italian short stories and from Machiavellian commentary.
Villains of this type, as well as those of domestic origin, had long been popular on the stage. From
the days of the mystery and...show more content...
When in an outburst of hatred he soliloquizes that "I hate the Moor; / And it is thought abroad that
twixt my sheets / He's done my office," Iago goes on to concede the unlikelihood of this charge. [.
. .] The charge is so absurd, in fact, that we have to look into Iago himself for the origin of this
jealous paranoia. (223)
And looking within Iago for the cause can yield the answer that the ancient is psychologically sick.
In Shakespeare's Four Giants Blanche Coles comments on the mental illness that appears to afflict
the despicable Iago:
When such old time critics as H. N. Hudson, who wrote nearly a hundred years ago, saw that Iago
was not acting from revenge, one is more than surprised to find modern critics, who have had the
advantage of the progress that has been made in the study of abnormal psychology, accepting Iago
for anything but what he is, and what Shakespeare intended him to be – a psychopathic personality.
(79)
Evidence of his psychopathic personality is seen early in the play. He manipulates the wealthy
Roderigo into awakening the senator Brabantio ("Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight");
and then he utters very offensive smutty lines about a black ram and white ewe, which indicate
the way his sick mind operates. He seems to be motivated by love of money which he has been
receiving from Roderigo for some time ("thou, Iago, who hast had my purse / As if the strings were

Othello: Iago's Honesty
Finally, Iago is the only major character in Othello that does not experience a moment of truth. He
is the inciter of lies and possesses the knowledge of the truth throughout the play. Iago takes
advantage of Othello's honesty and uses it to start his deceiving plan. Iago worked hard to be
portrayed as an honest person and be in everyone's favour. For example,

Iago's Influence On Othello
How does hatred consume a person for no reason? Take Iago (from Shakespeare's play Othello) for
example, he attempts and succeeds to destroy Othello's life; yet has no true motive of why. The only
explanation for his cruelty is his standards for the "right" cultural surroundings and social status of
everything and everyone are not being met. Iago is a man who is filled with hate, but there is no
source of where it may stem from. Throughout the play, his reasonings change fromOthello being a
"moor" when he states, "I do hate him, I swear." Line 9 page 3, to Iago being jealous of Othello
appointing the young Cassio to lieutenant over him "A guy that knows more about numbers than
fighting!" Line 18–19 page 3, and lastly to Iago thinking that...show more content...
He should not have been passed over for a higher job position by such a young and inexperienced
man, since Iago is getting older he is very sour that his career was cut so short, "And he's definitely
never commanded men in battle." Line 19–20 page 3. That he should be able to trust his wife
without suspicion, yet he thinks his wife is having affairs. Thanks to Othello, he cannot be certain or
comfortable with anything anymore. His way of life is collapsing and everything that has happened
is fueling his anger, hate, is playing with his

Iago's Ambitions in Shakespeare's Othello Essay
Iago's Ambitions in Shakespeare's Othello
'Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light' (Act 1 sc. 3 L.385–6). This is
said by the character Iago during a soliloquy at the end of Act 1 scene 3. This statement could take
on many different meaning depending on how it is interpreted. I think that it means that whatever
Iago has to do, he will tell everyone that Othello is an evil man. He thinks this because he believes
that he has slept with Emilia, Iago's wife, "'twixt my sheets he's done my office," (Act 1, sc 3, line
369–370). However, it has many other subtle messages and meanings. Iago could be referring to his
evil plan because "hell" tends to be used in the context...show more content...
Iago claims to "hate the Moor" (Act 1, sc 3, line 368) so he wants to do whatever he can to make
Othello unhappy. One of his intentions is to make Othello believe that Desdemona is having an
affair with Cassio, " to abuse Othello's ear that he is too familiar with his wife," (Act 1, sc 3, line
378). This means that, as part of his plan, Iago will suggest the chance of an affair to Othello to
make him suspicious of Desdemona's every move and word. Like all tragic heroes, Othello has a
fatal flaw, which happens to be jealousy, and Iago is going to use this to his advantage. Iago also
wants to make Othello promote Iago over Cassio and to do this he intends to ruin Cassio. He
says," Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me," (Act 2, sc 1, line 289) which shows
that he wants to be rewarded, a promotion. However, he also contradicts himself as he has earlier
said that he hates the Moor. If he truly hated Othello, why would he want Othello to love him? He
may want this because it would make it easier to destroy Othello if he were to be close to him
however; he seems to want Othello's approval of his actions rather than a higher position at work.
For Iago to achieve his ultimate goal he has to take each area of his plan one step at a time. His
first step is to alert Brabantio of Desdemona's marriage to Othello, "Your daughter and the Moor are
now

Othello and Iago Comparison Essay
Othello and Iago Comparison
Othello and Iago are different in their characters as well as in their colours. It could be said also,
however, that they are similar because of their fallibility. Iago is overcome with his desire for
revenge to such an extent that he puts it into action. Othello's love and possessiveness of Desdemona
take over him until he eventually would rather kill her than allow anyone else to have her. In this
way, despite their contrasts, Iago and Othello both represent the extremity of the same thing – human
emotion.
Both characters can be viewed like this throughout Act 1. We immediately see Iago as representative
of the very basest elements of humanity. He uses crude...show more content...
Another grudge is his suspicion of Othello that
"twixt my sheets he has done my office"
Iago has heard a rumour that Othello has slept with his wife, and now he wants revenge. But Iago
does not feel betrayal by his wife, or feel that she has been wronged; it appears to be just another
excuse to get back at Othello.
Whereas Othello does have a sense of self–interest, his interest in other people's happiness is greater.
When confronted with the idea that he has enchanted Desdemona, he replies that if it is true to
"let your sentence fall even to my life".
He would rather be killed than know he is causing his love unhappiness. He would happily sacrifice
everything for others – his sense of duty is strong. Whereas Iago is in the army for personal gain,
promotion and recognition, Othello is in it for the greater good. Despite being on his honeymoon,
he instantly agrees that he should go and fight in Cyprus for his Senate. Neither does he wish his
wife to suffer, so he offers her a choice of following him or staying in safety. Othello is an
honourable man.
Iago, on the other hand, is anything but honourable. He is always forming a devious plot for
someone else's undoing. He uses Roderigo as his pawn in revealing Othello's whereabouts and as a
source of money. The way he disappears into the shadows away from Brabantio's lights is symbolic
of his underhand nature.

Iago By William Shakespeare 's Othello Essay
Today's society is overly familiar with deception and lies; whether it is from their family, friends,
media, or politicians. Historically, there has been an abundance which still carries on today. Behind
every lie, there is a motive for doing so. In Shakespeare 's Othello, Iago is no exception to this rule.
He is living a dual life of lies. On one face Iago is a trustworthy friend who is attempting to set up
Roderigo with the love of his life. His other face is the one whose main goal is to be the Lieutenant
of the Venetian Army. In order to reach that status he must ruin the relationship of Cassio andOthello
. Iago uses each other character against others and against themselves using his knowledge of
their habits and lives. His vast array of manipulative strategies gives him an extraordinary
advantage over his peers. A few weak points that Iago targets are Roderigo 's desire for
Desdemona, Othello 's self image and Cassio 's trust. Iago does not feel the need to ease his way
into manipulating his best friend. In fact, He starts to deceive Roderigo in the first scene of the
first act. Roderigo 's trusting and fairly gullible personality gives a sense of strength and security
to Iago in his attempts. All ready, Iago develops a cruel ploy to knock down Othello 's reputation.
The easiest way for this to happen is by hinting that Othello kidnapped Desdemona. Due to the social
and racial tension of the time, this was a common perception of black men. Those

Essay about Othello
People are not always the way you see them to be. Within the play Othello by William Shakespeare,
a character named Iago displays a very good example of this. Iago who is Othello's ensign is
considerate to people although at the same time manipulates their minds into thinking different
things other than what had really occurred. Therefore, the victims of Iago's mischievous acts had
been lured in to gullibility at every corner.
In Act I, Iago had used his 'magic' on Roderigo who was very upset upon the fact that Othello and
Desdemona were still able to be as one, since he was very much in desire for her. Iago had told him
not to worry and that Desdemona will soon desire him. Roderigo had then believed him. He...show
more content...
Iago had shown great dishonesty and evilness to his own leader.
Iago had already caused so much devious acts that he took this to another level. He had taken
something that symbolized the love and compassion Othello had for Desdemona which a
handkerchief. Iago had told Othello that Cassio and Desdemona have something going on after
Iago had supposedly over heard what Cassio was saying in his sleep. Othello eventually becomes
furious at both of them, most especially his wife because he is led to believe their marriage was
false. Iago's plan worked and it yet close to his goal. He again persuades Othello in killing Cassio so
he will win her back. Othello still relies on Iago's influence thinking that all his decisions are proper
things to do.
As of act V, at the end Iago's own wife is the one to figure out what his whole plot is and tells
Othello what he had done and this was one thing that Iago had not been able to use his skills in
manipulating him. Othello stabs Iago who was the villain of this play the whole time.
This play displayed the power that one person may have in order to get what they want. It also
showed how much the characters had bought into Iago's thoughts and influence to cause even more
damage between everyone. His power is led to believe that anyone could be gullible no matter what
position you are whether it be in rank or how smart you may

Othello
Unequivocally, Iago plays an important and major function in the tragedy of Othello. By the end
of the play, Iago has been directly responsible for the deaths of Roderigo, Emilia and the
protagonist and his love. Iago's importance to the play is revealed by his contribution to the plot and
his significance relative to other characters. Iago's function, which invariably adds to the importance
he has on the play, is to lead to the downfall of Othello therefore revealing the themes of hate,
jealousy and revenge. Iago also serves to contrast with the characters of Othello and Desdemona and
to create dramatic irony consequently involving the audience in the journey of the play. The
foundation of his success has been built upon his honest...show more content...
This would suggest that this is a fundamental characteristic of his. However, Iago does strive to
appear honest and sincere. 'If I shall stay [with Roderigo] I shall– against the Moor. This is also seen
when he defends Cassio after the drunken brawl. Iago speaks with hesitation and refers to Cassio
being a friend several times. 'I had rather have this tongue cut out from my mouth than it should
do offence to Cassio'. This appearance allows him to gain favour with all characters, especially
those of Cassio and Othello, allowing him to influence them. The success of Iago's deceptive
honesty is most clearly seen in the final scene of the play in which the truth of his dishonesty is
revealed. So successful was Iago's scheme that Othello can only think that Iago must have been a
devil. 'I look down towards his feet– butВ… If that thou be'st a devil, I cannot kill thee'. Even when
on stage, Iago appears to have an overriding dominance over the other characters. In Act 3 sn iii,
in which Othello asks Iago to kneel next to him and make a pact in order to destroy Cassio and
Desdemona, we cannot but notice the power Iago evokes in Othello. 'Do not rise yet', Iago cries,
'I am yours forever'. Also Iago's dominance over Othello is seen in Act 4 sn I where Othello has
fallen into a trance. The audience look on with pity as Iago says, 'Thus do credulous fools are
caught.' On stage this would be a powerful scene in which Iago finally subdues Othello. Iago

Othello vs. Iago Essay
Othello vs. Iago
As the villain in Shakespeare's play Othello, Iago has two main actions. They are to plot and to
deceive. Iago wishes to plot and to deceive because he is jealous of Othello and hates him. Iago's
reasons for why he hates Othello is because he believes that Othello made love to his wife, and Iago
is mad that Cassio was chosen to be Lieutenant instead of himself. From this hate comes the main
conflict of the play. Iago plans to ruin Othello because of Iago's jealousy towards him is by carrying
out a plan to get back at Othello based on lies and deceit. This plan will make Iago the only person
that Othello believes he can trust, and Iago will use this trust to manipulate Othello. Iago plans to
remove Cassio from...show more content...
Cassio's uncharacteristic aggression is what eventually removes his from position as lieutenant.
"Sir, he's rash and very sudden in choler, and haply may strike at you. Provoke him that he may, for
even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no true
taste again but by the displanting of Cassio" (Shakespeare 261–264). This quote is when Iago
explains Cassio to Othello among the numerous times that he does do so. When taste is used, the
line says that the people of Cyprus will not feel comfortable with their nature until Cassio is
removed from his position. "The definition of qualifications is condition, nature or pacification
and uses the word trust instead of taste." (Gray 2) In contrast, when trust is used, Iago's words say
that the people of Cyprus will not be able to trust authorities again until Cassio is no longer
Lieutenant. While Cassio is fighting, Iago is using the violence to create a riot in Cyprus and
upset the people. Cassio is blamed for this riot, and order cannot be restored until he is no longer
Lieutenant. The word trust makes more sense in this sentence, because Cassio lost the trust of the
masses when he acted with aggression. He was always a well mannered and peaceful man, and
now the people of Cyprus do not know who he really is. In the soliloquy following Roderigo's exit,
Iago reveals the real reasons for his plotting against Othello.

Iago's Ambition In Othello
At all points of one's life, one has desires; what separates and defines a person is determined by
how that person goes about dealing with those desires. Some believe in working honestly towards
his or her aspirations and others in seizing it at any cost. Iago, the antagonist of the play Othello is
one of those people who would do anything in order to get what he wishes. Because Othello names
Cassio lieutenant instead of him, he begins to device a plan in vengeance to bring Othello and
Cassio down, which ends up tragic for all of the major characters. Iago's obsessive need for revenge
stems from jealousy and ambition, and because he is a master manipulator, the plan goes extremely
smooth for the majority of the play. At the end of Act 1,...show more content...
He gets Cassio to talk to Othello's wife, Desdemona, to ask for his position back and he begins to
point out small things like them whispering. When Cassio exits the scene when Othello
approaches, Iago does not hesitate to make his move and mentions it. Asking of Iago's suspicions,
Iago says, "Good my lord, pardon me, Though I am bound to every act of duty I am not bound to
that all slaves are free to Utter my thoughts" (138–140). This places Othello in the position of being
alarmed because what could be so horrible that this "honest" man would want to keep secret from
him. Eventually, Iago comes out with his fake suspicions and Othello somewhat believes it but
wants some kind of evidence. Fortunately, Iago's wife, Emilia gets a hold of Desdemona's
handkerchief and gives it to him. He puts more of his plan into action saying, "in Cassio's lodging
[I] lose this napkin. And let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As
proofs of holy writ. (331–334). This is enough to convince Othello of Desdemona's affair with
Cassio, enraging him to want to murder the two. Othello decides he will kill his wife, and asks Iago
to do the same to

Iago In Othello
Emilia also stands up against Iago as she reveals the truth behind Iago's sinister manipulation to
Othello in front of him. After Emilia discovers that Desdemona was smothered by Othello, she
feels great grief and Iago later enters the room. Iago submissively torments Emilia to stay quiet
and to say nothing of his plot but she instead insisted on stating, "'Twill out, 'twill out. I peace!
/ No, I will speak as liberal as the north: / Let heaven and men and devils, let them all, / All, all, cry
shame against me, yet I'll speak....O thou dull Moor! That handkerchief thou speak'st of / I found
by fortune and did give my husband; / For often, with a solemn earnestness, / More than indeed
belonged to such a trifle, / He begged of me to steal it," (Shakespeare 5.2.87). Emilia responds to
Iago's threats by stating that...show more content...
/ No, I will speak as liberal as the north: / Let heaven and men and devils, let them all, / All, all, cry
shame against me, yet I'll speak.". Emilia reveals the truth as she explains that she found the
handkerchief by accident and gave it to Iago because he'd begged her to steal it many times when
she stated, "O thou dull Moor! That handkerchief thou speak'st of / I found by fortune and did
give my husband; / For often, with a solemn earnestness, / More than indeed belonged to such a
trifle, / He begged of me to steal it.". As Emilia reveals Iago's deception, it shows that she standed
up against Iago by how she disregards or ignores his threats to not let them affect her in a way that
silences her and instead resisted to speaking of the truth as she defended herself by simply
expressing that she too is entitled to have the freedom to say whatever she wants and won't let
anyone from stopping her to do so, along with the explanation she provided of how the handkerchief
actually landed into Cassio's possession, rather than fleeing the scene or staying quiet for Iago to
deal with the situation or letting the truth come out some other way and not by

Iago of William Shakespeare's Othello Essay
Iago of William Shakespeare's Othello
Iago has a great understanding of people and how they will react to different situations and this
skill allows him to control the action so neatly that it as if is he himself is the playwright. He has
no regard for the thoughts of others and skilfully manipulates those around him to trick them to
play a part in a strategy he has so meticulously planned, for example, the brawl scene. But by no
means does he carry out his plans regardless of other events; if an opportunity to achieve any of his
desires arises then he immediately takes hold of it and uses it to his advantage.
Iago is an excellent representation of the Vice character of drama. Shakespeare is...show more
content...
These motives lead him to hate the other characters so much as to gain a sadistic pleasure at their
misfortune.
Everybody is slightly egotist, it is (a bad?) part of human nature, each of us is our favourite
subject, however, Iago's sense of egotism is grossly inflamed. He cares about nobody but himself
and even his wife, who he should at least have a little love for is treated with sexist disdain. He is
cloaked in lies and deceit and all his relationships with people result in his gain, and usually their
loss. His acting is so skilful and convincing that even his wife doesn't truly know him and Othello
and Cassio refer to him as "honest Iago", ironically far from his real character. His self pride and
arrogance is apparent in his scorn for the characters around him, shown by his frequent references to
animals and his disdain erring obsession for their sexual relationships,
"Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,
As salt as wolves in pride"
Iago's love of himself leads him to desire everything for himself, the lack of this leads to great
jealousy for the characters around him. He is jealous of Cassio for his rank of lieutenant, jealous of
Othello for his success and falsely

Iago's Manipulation
Shakespeare's Othello presents a complex scenario: on one hand, there is evil and successful
manipulation, and on the other, there is gullibility and naГЇvetГ©. The pivotal character Iago sets
into motion an evil scheme, carefully and slowly, which leads to ultimate tragedy and ruin. Othello, a
loving, gentle, kind–hearted man, falls into a state of near insanity, convinced of falsehoods fed to
him by his trusted aide. Iago is a devious trickster and he secretly despises Othello. Constantly
plotting his next move, Iago manipulates others to do his bidding and acts in ways that further his
plot against Othello, while Othello falls for all of Iago's schemes. Iago is scheming, manipulative,
and devious, whereas Othello is impressionable, overly–trusting, and ultimately, overcome with
jealousy.
Iago is full of contempt for Othello because he hired Michael Cassio over himself. Roderigo, who is
sick with love for Desdemona – and paying Iago for aid in pursuing Desdemona – questions him,
asking why he does not simply resign from his lower status position as he is so distraught. Iago's
response is villainous: "I follow him to serve my turn upon him" (1.1.38). He continues to serve
Othello out of spite, and the actions that follow throughout the play are driven by this deep hatred
of Othello. His first scheme at hurting Othello is to rouse Desdemona's father, Brabantio, and alert
him that Othello and Desdemona have eloped. Roderigo and Iago go to Brabantio's house and call
out into the night, disturbing him. Brabantio, confused, asks why they are summoning him, to
which Iago responds, "an old black ram is tupping your white ewe" (1.1.86). He adds that his
"daughter [is] covered with a Barbary horse" (1.1.109). If these statements are not salacious or
disturbing enough, he finally explains that he has come "to tell you your daughter and the Moor are
making the beast with two backs" (1.1.112–113). Iago puts a horrifying, evil, disgusting image into
Brabantio's mind, while at the same time revealing the great extent to which he despises Othello.
Iago is extremely upsetting in this scene, referring to Othello and Desdemona's relationship in vile,
despicable terms, and this marks only the beginning of the pain he is to cause

Othello Essays Iago

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