As Othello opens the first notions that Iago has an extreme hatred of Othello become abundantly clear. Iago shows his displeasure with the promotion that Othello gave to Cassio as opposed to him. After explaining that Cassio is not qualified because he has never set foot on a battlefield, nor lead men, Iago tells Roderigo that “I follow hi

The first case of Iago manipulating Othello comes when Othello sees Cassio leave Desdemona when he is entering the room. Desdemona then proceeds to plead with Othello to see Cassio in order to reinstate him to his former post. Iago takes this as his sign to begin to raise doubts in Othello’s mind as to if there is a relationship brewing between Cassio and Desdemona. Iago goes about this very intelligently, not saying that there is, but rather asking Othello how well he knows his wife. If Iago had came out and said that the two were having an affair Othello would not have believed him and even if he had he certainly would not have been filled with the rage that Iago was hoping to inject in him. In order for his plan to work Iago must have the trust of all of the characters involved and most importantly the trust of Othello. Once he is assured that Othello has trust in him and believes him to be a friend Iago knows that his plan will come to fruition.

The deceitful nature of Iago leads to the death of four innocent people and his only reason for doing this was because of his hatred for Othello. The insecurities that Iago deals with internally are the only motivation that can be found for his actions. He has lied to everyone that he has come into contact with and plotted against everyone who he told were friends. At the beginning of the play Iago says “I am not what I am” (1.1.65) and he holds himself to that standard. Not one thing that Iago said to anyone was honest, to those that he said he loved, he really hated and those that he befriended were really enemies. Though Iago is caught in his elaborate plan he does not feel remorse for what he has done, instead he feels a sense of accomplishment and takes pride in his sadistic deeds. Although he is an extremely compelling character, Iago is not the model for the nature of a man that society has in mind.

m to serve my turn upon him. / We cannot all be masters, nor all masters / Cannot be truly followed” (1.1.42-44). In saying this Iago is letting it be known that he would not follow Othello except to exact his revenge on

Some topics in this essay:
Othello Cassio, Iago Knowing, Desdemona Iago, Cyprus Iago, Cassio Iago, Shakespeare’s Othello, Othello Iago’s, Othello Iago, Cassio Desdemona, Cassio’s Othello, hatred othello, othello cassio, cassio desdemona, othello iago, cassio iago, iago’s hatred, othello insecurities iago, motion plan, othello insecurities, insecurities iago, nature iago, hatred othello insecurities, deceitful nature iago, iago’s hatred othello, tells roderigo “i,