Iago As Protaginist In Othello

When reading Othello, society cannot help but to sympathize with The Moor. Othello was presented as a “Valiant soldier” and a husband totally enamored of his wife, Desdemona. At the end, Othello strangled his beloved wife because he believed she has slept with another man. Othello does not fall from grace in our minds because he kills Desdemona. He falls from grace because she’s innocent and he has been tricked, and even then we still forgive him. Iago, on the other hand, was cast as a conniving villain whose life quest is to destroy the Moor. He doesn’t simply plot against the moor for no reason; he is taking revenge for the wrongs done on to him. Why is there no compassion for Iago?

In the first act we learn that Iago participated in combat with Othello, and had expected to become Othello’s lieutenant. Iago tells Rodrigo, “three great ones of the city, in personal suit to make me his lieutenant…Nonsuits my mediators: for,’Certes,’ says he, ‘I have already chose my officer.’…One Michael Cassio,…that never set a squadron on the field, nor the division of battle knows…And I (of whom his eyes had seen the proof at Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on

It is not just a coincidence that Iago was vying for a better position earlier in the story. It is entirely feasible that before the rough and harsh Othello loved Desdemona, he may have slept with Emilia. Maybe he even promised to look after her husband if she consorted with him. Obviously, Iago became suspect of the affair. He confronts her and she asserts that she was trying to help him elevate his position in Othello’s army as an excuse for her indiscretions. How enraged would a man become if he is not given the honor he is due, discovers that his wife sleeps with the very man that dishonored as a means to obtain that honor, and he is still cast aside?

Through out the entire play the reader is constantly privy to Iago’s plotting, “Let me see now: To get his place, and to plume up my will in double knavery…” (1.3.386-388). In the very beginning Iago plays on the weakness of another character, Rodrigo, to cause trouble for his own benefit. Iago has him waking up Desdemona’s father to tell of her marriage and then tells Rodrigo to sell all he has to “put money in thy purse” (1.3.341) and follow her in hopes of attaining her love. The play takes place after Iago’s character has already been tainted with wicked thoughts of vengeance. What was Iago like before act 1? Surely he must have had some good traits for he was trusted enough that his lies were believed. No one doubted his honesty; even Othello called him honest Iago. Was he not the same warrior that fought bravely by Othello side? This is not the history of a villain but of a good man.

Some topics in this essay:
Obviously Iago, Emilia Othello, Othello Cassio, Desdemona Othello, Rhodes Cyprus, Iago Othello, Michael Cassio…that, Iago Othello’s, Moor Othello, MOOR VENICE, honest iago, moor othello, tells rodrigo, emilia othello, iago act, rhodes cyprus,