Iago In William Shakespeare's Othello

Iago is one of the most misunderstood villains in Shakespeare literature. We side with Othello from the start because his name is on the cover of our paperback, we read Othello when learning about heroes, so we expect Iago to be a villain, a ruthless manipulator. We don’t know why, he doesn’t state it plainly or in simple English, so we assume that he’s evil, that he’s just a disgruntled sociopath out to exact his exaggerated revenge on good and noble Othello. Iago’s misunderstood reputation is a result of not truly examining his character, and answering the “why” factor behind his actions. After all, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. His goal in the play was not just to destroy Othello for the fun of it. His objective,

He fears the exposure of his actual character and wants to execute his plan by keeping other individuals believing that he is an honest and a trustworthy man. Firstly, Iago undermines Emilia not to say another word in regards to the handkerchief that he utilizes as a major aspect of the arrangement to devastate Othello. He advises Emilia to “Be wise and get you home.” (Act 5.2.221). Emilia disagrees with what Iago says and soon after, Iago draws his sword. This shows Iago really thinks about his personality and notoriety, his trepidation of presentation is fierce to the point that it drives him to execute his own particular wife. Also, there is not a single line written in the play, which uncovers Iago presenting his reality to someone else. In spite of the fact that everybody makes sense of Iago's two-sided personality towards the end of the play, despite everything he doesn't have the quality to uncover his actual two- sided character or translate why he has done such offensive deeds. When Othello demands Iago for a reasoning behind his actions, he responds back saying, “Demand me nothing; what you know, you know. / From this time forth I never will speak word” (Act 5.2.300-301). Iago's instability of character is powerful to the point that is prohibits him to talk up and give a sensible reaction to Othello regarding why he has done such malevolence activities. Identity, as well as reputation, is what a man is acknowledged for, a wide range of wrong decisions will destroy this part of Iago

Through the use of dramatic irony, Shakespeare makes it known that Iago is a machiavellian character, disregarding morals and stopping at nothing to achieve his desires. While the audience may know that Othello is falling into his trap, he has no clue what Iago is planning. It all goes back to one of the key ideas of “Othello”: suffering. His suffering is what keeps him from making rational decisions and that’s a human flaw

The final way in which Iago displays his wicked nature is through his murderous intentions. As it is not enough for him to have hatred towards each of the characters, he desires each of them to be killed, and without the blood on his hands. He creates a jealous rage within Othello, so much so that he not only kills his wife, but takes his own life. This action is all a

Iago is the antagonist of the play, and one of the most evil Shakespearean villains. Iago is extremely clever in the way he uses unsuspecting power- especially psychological power. He gets into people’s heads in many dishonest ways- by spreading false rumours, telling lies and psychologically tricking people and secretly controlling certain situations. His power to manipulate is a key point in the play, as it results in major consequences and the deaths of some main characters. Iago’s schemes are multi-levelled- he conspires with roderigo, and makes him believe that Desdemona will take him back. On another level, he leads Othello to believe his wife is having an affair with Cassio. He uses his wife Emilia (unknown to her), to bring back the handkerchief he uses to deceive Othello. Iago is an extremely resourceful and talented man, but he uses these resources and talents in detrimental ways. Iago is constantly referred to by numerous characters as ‘honest’. He himself also refers to honesty. Numerous characters believe that they know and trust Iago and that he would not lie, nor deceive them. Iago’s soliloquies also provide invaluable insight into his wicked mind and evil schemes and plans.

Towards the end of act 2, scene 1 Shakespeare illustrates Iago’s detrimental persona - throughout his soliloquy - by lacking rhythm and writing in prose. By interrupting the regular rhyming patterns of the text earlier on in the scene (‘fair, heir’ ‘gay, may’), Shakespeare is deliberately showing the reader how irregular and therefore corrupt Iago is compared to the other characters of the play - another interpretation for Shakespeare’s usage of prose, however, is the differentiation of those in the upper and low classes, which shows that Iago is not of high status: which is highlighted by the fact that Iago is said to be a ‘flag bearer’ - this is further highlighted by Iago’s xenophobic references to Othello: ‘him’, ‘the Moor’, which is

Shakespeare’s play Othello is based on tragedy of Othello’s jealousy, which ironically leads Othello to kill Desdemona, his beloved (wife). Evil Iago is above all Shakespeare’s villains. Iago is a person with evil emotions, and as a result he deceives everybody, he also is exceptionally influential character who has taken in everyone, above all his own wife Emilia. His public face of bravery and honesty conceals a satanic delight in manipulation and destruction, and he will stop at nothing. Iago’s opinion on women is that he detests women in all kinds and shapes, and finds faults even when they have little or no faults.

In William Shakespeare’s play Othello, the Iago is the most important character. It is his dreams, hopes and desires that turn him evil, bringing out the worst possible characteristics in order to achieve all the things he wants. Iago’s manipulative traits, deceitful actions and love for Othello eventually cause the death Emilia, Desdemona and Othello himself.

Othello is one of Shakespeare’s tragic plays about a Moor who married a young, white woman who he was madly in love with. After being passed up for a promotion, Othello’s ensign, Iago, swears to destroy Othello, and he successfully does so. The only way to describe Iago is evil. He is manipulative, deceitful, and unrepentant which helps the audience understand his true intentions throughout the play. He gets so caught up in his revenge that he loses all capacity for compassion.

"Tush, never tell me! I take it much unkindly/ that thou, Iago, who hast had my purse/ as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this./" (I. i. 1-3) From the beginning of Othello, Iago is portrayed as an antagonist, a villain who acts out of only his own interest. The acts that Iago engages in throughout Shakespeare's Othello are erroneous acts. Iago is not insane and he can comprehend the difference between right and wrong. Shakespeare is known for his ability to focus on human flaws and teach us lessons from their misfortune. Iago's destiny with evil is due to his own flaws, jealousy, selfishness, and deceit. Because of these insecurities, Iago will stop at nothing to get even with Othello. By

In my opinion, Iago is the type of character that commits the dirty work moreover could easily live with it or talk his way out of it, whenever suits him. Through his heinous actions and absence reasonable motive, Shakespeare's villain marked as a pioneer of so many writers to create their main antagonist as a similar image to him. The character is pure evil, envy, and manipulative seen in some examples in the play. First, starting with a confession: “I am not what I am"(1.1.61-71) Shakespeare quoting a verse from Exodus "I am what I am" (Exodus 3.14), the last quote shows Iago as the devil using the word of god and change it to define himself.

When one examines Iago’s character in this Shakespearean play, they will notice unlike in Hamlet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and more, he causes several to ultimately become insane. Additionally, he is considered as one of Shakespeare’s best rhetoricians (Beier). By invoking a slight distrust in all the characters against each other, he cunningly persuades them into assuming he has good intentions. The dramatic irony of the play allows the audience to realize they are far from good. In the first Act of Othello, Iago has a soliloquy which reveals a part of his intentions. He states, “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse...I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets...Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now, to get his place and to plume up my will...After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear that he is too familiar with his wife” (1.3.367-80). This describes his initial plans to use Roderigo for money and use Cassio to cause Othello to believe Desdemona is having an affair.

Further in Act II we learn more of how manipulating Iago is and how he is willing to do anything to get his way without anyone realizing it. He continues to use his so called "honesty" to his advantage, when he is lying and using others to achieve his desire, per say. After watching the movie in class I was able to get a better see of the way Iago acts through the play. By Iago sharing his thoughts with the audience, I was able to get a more in depth understanding of Iago as opposed to the other characters. When Iago shares his thoughts there's a better understanding of his motives behind whatever he is planning to do, and it helps us understand his purpose and to what extent he will go in order to fulfill his purpose. He is giving his personal

Tragedy can expose humans fallibility and weaknesses. Traditionally, a tragic hero is established into three parts: hamartia, a hero’s tragic flaw; peripeteia, the change in the hero’s fortune; and catharsis, a hero’s tragic ending. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Shakespeare illustrates how a General, Othello get manipulated by his subordinate, Iago.Iago tells Othello that his wife, Desdemona is having an affair with his friend, Cassio. Othello deeply believes in Iago’s lies, and kills Desdemona and Cassio. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Shakespeare uses hamartia, peripeteia and catharsis to show that Othello is a tragic hero. Ultimately, through Othello’s tragedy the audiences learn that one’s gullibility can lead their tragedy.

While Iago appears to be a good tactician, he is willing to do everything in his power in order to upgrade his position, regardless of the effects that his actions might have on other individuals. His fury is amplified by the fact that he believes that Othello slept with his wife, Emilia. This information points toward the idea that Iago would have second thoughts about working against Othello if the circumstances would not force him to do so.