Iago: Malignity with a Motive

“motiveless malignity”, but it seems as though Coleridge was slightly off. Although Iago starts

out without a motive, he soon develops several after the promotion of Michael Cassio. Although

in the audience’s eye his motives are false and trivial, I’m sure that in his own they are just. He

feels he was wronged and will stop at nothing to be righted. Through some carefully crafted,

manipulative words and a complete disregard for those around him, Iago is able to manipulate

others to do things in a way that benefits himself. Iago’s acts were very malignant, but not

“Honest Iago” is not your ordinary villain. Iago is extremely quick whited and cunning.

He is an excellent judge of character and uses this to his advantage. An early example of Iago’s

disregard for a person supposed to be his friend is his conversation with Roderigo. After which

Iago says of Roderigo, "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse." (Act I, Scene III, Line 355). Iago

knows that Roderigo is in love with Desdemona and figures that he would do anything to have

bidding, which re-enforces the malignancy assigned to him by Coleridge.

Cassio). Iago shows no remorse in manipulating an innocent such as Roderigo for his own

and duty that I bear you With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound, Receive it from me. I speak

convinces Cassio to take another drink, knowing very well that it will get him very drunk.

Some topics in this essay:
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