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Iago in Shakespeare's Othello

            "The concept of evil has not been elsewhere been portrayed in great mastery as we see in Shakespeare's character Iago" (Bradley, 206). By analyzing and reading Shakespeare's play Othello, we can indeed say that Iago is Shakespeare's most notorious and evil character. Iago is the triumphant villain in the play Othello. He is a complicated character that real intentions are in layers of deviance and deception that forms his false visage. He sets a series of heinous crimes to achieve his unfathomable desires. Without Iago as a character in this play, it would have turned out to be a simple romantic drama. Iago is a villain who we hate; he is the maker of the play but at the same time aims to break down all the other characters around him. He is the instigator of all the tragic events within Othello. He is a complex character in all the Shakespeare's tragedy (Chatto & Windus, 19).
             Othello's plot outline can best be understood in the portrayal of Iago as an evil epitome as seen in his characteristic traits. To heighten his devious nature comes across in his series of soliloquies that show his real intentions and motivation. The real dramatic irony of his character can be seen from the extended aside. His intentions are to fool other characters as we see them being convinced by his split personality. "Honest Iago. O good Iago," says Desdemona when seeking Iago's advice. We see Iago's deceptive web towards everyone but himself. The irony is that the characters truly believe in his honesty. Shakespeare enhances his irony by repeating the word "honest" more than fifty times throughout the play and obsessively throwing this word all over in an exaggerated manner. Thus, the word contradicts the actual meaning of the context of this play.
             Iago's self-obsessed cloud remains in his head and it are only to the audience's revelation. It is unknown by other characters making him be the master of disguise in his truthfulness and loyalty.


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  • Word Count: 999
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Graduate

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