Iago is one of Shakespeare's most complex villains.
"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.
altogether motiveless.
"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.
her for himself. By playing on Roderigo's .
hopes, Iago is able to swindle money and jewels from Roderigo, making himself a substantial.
profit, while using Roderigo to forward his other goals (i.e. disposing of honorable Michael.
Cassio). Iago shows no remorse in manipulating an innocent such as Roderigo for his own.
bidding, which re-enforces the malignancy assigned to him by Coleridge. .
Cassio, like Roderigo, follows Iago blindly, thinking that Iago is trying to help him.
However it is quite the contrary. The whole time Iago is planning the demise of Cassio, his.
supposed friend. On the night of Cassio's watch, the men are gathered in drink and Iago.
convinces Cassio to take another drink, knowing very well that it will get him very drunk. .
Cassio reluctantly agrees saying, "I'll do't, but it dislikes me." (Act II, Scene III, Line 37) So.
