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Iago

            
             Iago is arguably the most deceitful character known to literature. While Shakespeare's Othello is full of devious acts of immorality, Iago is behind each one of them. By way of his deceptions Iago is able to entrap Othello into believing that his wife is sharing a bed with Cassio. Through many suggestions and deceits Iago is able to embed images of unfaithfulness in Othello's mind. These images and the rage that they bring about ultimately lead to the demise of both Othello and Iago. Iago is motivated by his need for revenge and the genuine hatred that he has for Othello, Iago's hatred then becomes contagious and is passed on to Othello as he increasingly becomes more distraught. Othello and all of the immoral acts that it contains are the direct result of Iago's hatred for Othello and the insecurities that Iago has about his own achievements.
             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 him 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 the moor. Further in the scene Iago brings another of his reasons of hatred of Othello to the fore front when he declares that Othello has slept with his wife. When he tells Roderigo "I hate the Moor; / And it is thought abroad that "twixt my sheets / H"as done my office" (1.3.367-369) it is almost possible to feel compassion for Iago. He has lost a promotion to a man less qualified and apparently his General has had an affair with his wife. However, with the next line Iago shows his insecurities when he says "I know not if't be true; / But I, for mere suspicion in that kind / Will do as if for surety" (1.


Essays Related to Iago

1. Iago - Othello

... when she is no longer with Othello. Here, Roderigo learns that he has competition, and this information is given to Roderigo only because Iago hopes that Roderigo will initiate a fight with Cassio. This fight will get Cassio in trouble and hopefully remove him from his position. Cassio is ... and Desdemona. If Cassio asks Desdemona for help and Desdemona speaks highly of him to Othello, it could appear that the two are in love. Iago plans to show Othello how often they are together and how close they are. Seeing this will make Othello jealous. I"ll pour this pestilence into ... her virt...

  • Word Count: 2354
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Iago

... when she is no longer with Othello. Here, Roderigo learns that he has competition, and this information is given to Roderigo only because Iago hopes that Roderigo will initiate a fight with Cassio. This fight will get Cassio in trouble and hopefully remove him from his position. Cassio is ... and Desdemona. If Cassio asks Desdemona for help and Desdemona speaks highly of him to Othello, it could appear that the two are in love. Iago plans to show Othello how often they are together and how close they are. Seeing this will make Othello jealous. I"ll pour this pestilence into ... her virt...

  • Word Count: 2349
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Manipulations By Iago

... good actor and lies well. He is able to manipulate those around him in order that they can carry out his evil work, especially Othello. Iago's ability to dishonor can be seen throughout the play and is demonstrated by roles he imitates. For example, he pretends to be Othello's friend, and ... quickly on his feet and is able to improvise whenever something unexpected occurs. When Cassio takes hold of Desdemona's hand before the arrival of the Moor Othello, Iago says, "With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio" (2.1.163). His cunning and craftiness make him a tru...

  • Word Count: 2346
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Shakespeare Othello :Evil Iago

... lying and deceiving one's wife and friends, one must be extremely evil or, in the case of Iago, amoral. In every scene in which Iago speaks one can point out his deceptive manner. Iago tricks Othello into believing that his own wife is having an affair, without any concrete proof. Othello is ... . He also thinks quickly and is able to improvise whenever something unexpected occurs. When Cassio takes hold of Desdemona's hand before the arrival of the Moor Othello, Iago says, "With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio." [Act II, Scene I, Line 168] His cunning and...

  • Word Count: 1302
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Othello's Iago

... consuls can propose/ As masterly as he. Mere prattle without practice/ Is all his soldiership- (A1 s1 l20-27). Another reason for which Iago is jealous of Cassio is because he is so good looking and could get any woman he wanted, and that he is a well respected public figure ... by telling him that he has a chance with Desdemona when he obviously doesn't. This makes Roderigo feel good about himself and he trusts Iago, thus allowing Iago to manipulate him in various ways. Iago deceives Roderigo in saying: "Make all the money thou canst. If sanctimony and a/ frail vow betwixt an erring barb...

  • Word Count: 1482
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Iago's vision of the world

... then he can let his true colours shine through while preserving his "image". By far, in terms of stage time, soliloquies and the like, Iago supersedes any other character. He reveals himself to us, the audience, in Act1,Scene3; here he impresses upon Roderigo an eloquently worded speech unveiling ... as just like a masterful puppeteer, he has forcefully steered the direction of the plot. Shakespeare does not allow any attention to shift from Iago. Shakespeare at the very beginning of the play does not bother to develop the character of the protagonist Othello, but rather places greater e...

  • Word Count: 2496
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Iago - A Villain Above Villains

... tells Othello that he must go to Cyprus right away, he has to choose an officer to deliver documents from the Senate. Othello appoints Iago, because "A man he is of honesty and trust" (1.3.284). Like any other manipulator, Iago preys on easy targets. This man manipulates everyone that surrounds him, including Cassio, Roderigo, and the Moor, Othello. He uses his actions to ... create jealousy and rage among the characters. Iago takes advantage of Othello's hubris to force him into killing his wife, Desdemona. Iago uses Othello's flaws to bring him against Cassio. "What sense had I of her...

  • Word Count: 878
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Iago's Ill Intent in Othello

... Roderigo that it would be ridiculous to commit suicide over an uncontrollable human instinct. In preventing Roderigo from killing himself, Iago can use Roderigo's money for his own personal gain as well as his trust in order to manipulate Roderigo into committing acts that will help ... seem; or those that be not, would they might seem none" (III, iii, 147-148). In stating this, Iago is insinuating the idea that Cassio is dishonest. Later in this conversation, Iago claims in regards to Desdemona that "her will, recoiling to her better judgement, may fall to match you with her ... graces...

  • Word Count: 1023
  • Approx Pages: 4

9. Iago in William Shakespeare's Othello

... Act 1 as he manipulates the other characters, particularly Roderigo, and formulates schemes throughout the first act. In the first scene of the play Iago is complaining about not having received the promotion to lieutenant that he felt he deserved. Therefore we immediately see that he is a negative ... member of a reasonably upper-class family, which is further emphasised by his use of complex sentences and high register and figurative language. Shakespeare demonstrates Iago's wide range of vocabulary by using words such as 'epithets' and 'knee-crooking knave' as well as the use of plos...

  • Word Count: 1567
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

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