Iago is a pivotal character in Shakespeare's Othello, orchestrating the tragic downfall of Othello and others through manipulation, deceit, and the exploitation of trust. His ability to appear honest while sowing discord allows him to deceive key characters, leading to a chain of tragic events fueled by jealousy, hate, and revenge. Ultimately, Iago's actions reveal the theme that individuals can be profoundly gullible, regardless of their social status or intelligence, as they fall victim to his cunning schemes.

1. 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
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2. 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
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3. 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,
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4. 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
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5. 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.
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6. 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.
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7. 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
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