In the play Othello, written by William Shakespeare, Iago appears to be a clever and manipulative character from the beginning. He attempts to sabotage the main character and Moor of Venice, Othello’s, relationship with his wife Desdemona. Throughout the play, he conceals his true identity and as a result, other characters see him as honest, reliable, and trustworthy. He gains Othello’s lieutenant Cassio’s trust, then backstabs him. He also uses Roderigo, a Venetian, as a piece in his puzzle to ultimately take down Othello. Iago goes against everyone who he seems to side with. Everything seems to work out in Iago’s favor; his trickery and deceitfulness lead him to becoming the villain he yearns to be, with success in his schemes. Iago’s …show more content…
The handkerchief is very important to Othello because it was from his mother, and it is also the first gift he ever gave to Desdemona. Iago is very aware of how valuable the handkerchief is and he plays his cards right to get under Othello’s skin. It is obvious that Othello believes what he hears when he says, “Death and damnation! O! (3.3.397). Othello is convinced of what seems to be Desdemona’s falsehood. He becomes outraged and finds Desdemona to ask her for the handkerchief. Desdemona is completely oblivious to what is going on or where the handkerchief might be, and she tells Othello she has it but it is not in her possession. Of course, Othello does not believe her and assumes she has given her body away to another man. Now that Iago gains Othello’s trust, he uses it to his advantage. He reminds Othello that Desdemona went against her father by choosing to be with him. Iago continues to provide commentary that seems sincere, and Othello falls right into his trap despite what Desdemona says. Iago seems to befriend Cassio at the wedding and does not show his resentment towards him. The night starts off with the two men guarding the court. Iago makes conversation and eventually brings up Desdemona’s features, in attempt to basically have Cassio talk down on her, but he refuses to. Iago ends up convincing Cassio to drink in hopes of getting him drunk and starting a brawl with Roderigo and the three
However strong Othello's and Desdemona's marriage seems, it begins to deteriorate as a result of Othello's self-pride. At first, Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful. Iago suggests to Othello that Desdemona slept with Cassio. Iago uses a handkerchief given by Othello to Desdemona that he got Emilia to get for him as his proof against
Iago sees the handkerchief as a way of finally being able to get to Othello. Iago feels that the handkerchief is a symbol of Desdemona’s faith to Othello. By obtaining this symbol of her faith, he is able to deploy his plan of revenge against Othello. Othello discovers that the handkerchief is missing and becomes very angry with Desdemona. When Desdemona looses her handkerchief, Othello believes she is unfaithful. Othello sees Cassio with the handkerchief and accepts it as confirmation of Desdemona's infidelity.
Iago told Othello that he would discuss Desdemona with Cassio, and that he would talk about the affair. Iago does not do this, and instead he talks about Bianca with Cassio, and Cassio laughs at things Iago says. Othello sees Cassio laughing and just assumes he is laughing at Desdemona, which in return upsets him very much. Iago used several tactics to set up Othello for deception in this case.
The tragic plot of Othello hinges on the potential of the villain, Iago, to deceive other characters, above all Roderigo and Othello, through encouraging them to misinterpret what they see. Othello is prone to Iago 's ploys seeing that he himself is so sincere and
Iago's manipulative nature has a profound effect on the decisions made by other characters in Shakespeare's ‘Othello’. Through his relations with those around him Shakespear characterizes him as a man full of malice, vengeance and dishonesty that is wholly inspired by jealousy. Furthermore it would appear that Iago has an exceptional ability to scheme, a talent which he uses to snake his way into the lives of others and exploit them through their weaknesses. Whether he does this for profit or for pleasure is a separate issue.
Iago is the antagonist of the play, and one of the most evil Shakespearean villains. Iago is extremely clever in the way he uses unsuspecting power- especially psychological power. He gets into people’s heads in many dishonest ways- by spreading false rumours, telling lies and psychologically tricking people and secretly controlling certain situations. His power to manipulate is a key point in the play, as it results in major consequences and the deaths of some main characters. Iago’s schemes are multi-levelled- he conspires with roderigo, and makes him believe that Desdemona will take him back. On another level, he leads Othello to believe his wife is having an affair with Cassio. He uses his wife Emilia (unknown to her), to bring back the handkerchief he uses to deceive Othello. Iago is an extremely resourceful and talented man, but he uses these resources and talents in detrimental ways. Iago is constantly referred to by numerous characters as ‘honest’. He himself also refers to honesty. Numerous characters believe that they know and trust Iago and that he would not lie, nor deceive them. Iago’s soliloquies also provide invaluable insight into his wicked mind and evil schemes and plans.
serve god if the devil bid you” and he also says “the moor is now
Iago is one of the most misunderstood villains in Shakespeare literature. We side with Othello from the start because his name is on the cover of our paperback, we read Othello when learning about heroes, so we expect Iago to be a villain, a ruthless manipulator. We don’t know why, he doesn’t state it plainly or in simple English, so we assume that he’s evil, that he’s just a disgruntled sociopath out to exact his exaggerated revenge on good and noble Othello. Iago’s misunderstood reputation is a result of not truly examining his character, and answering the “why” factor behind his actions. After all, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. His goal in the play was not just to destroy Othello for the fun of it. His objective,
The play Othello written by William Shakespeare is a tragedy. In this story there is one character that really stands out and influences the other characters, which causes this tragedy to happen. This character is Iago. Without him, the play wouldn't turn out how it did. Iago seems more of a main character than Othello, who the play is named after. Iago is an evil character, who manipulates a lot of the other characters. Iago uses the other characters in the play to do his dirty work. He manipulates these characters in a way that makes them kill their friends or even themselves.
"Tush, never tell me! I take it much unkindly/ that thou, Iago, who hast had my purse/ as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this./" (I. i. 1-3) From the beginning of Othello, Iago is portrayed as an antagonist, a villain who acts out of only his own interest. The acts that Iago engages in throughout Shakespeare's Othello are erroneous acts. Iago is not insane and he can comprehend the difference between right and wrong. Shakespeare is known for his ability to focus on human flaws and teach us lessons from their misfortune. Iago's destiny with evil is due to his own flaws, jealousy, selfishness, and deceit. Because of these insecurities, Iago will stop at nothing to get even with Othello. By
He references a handkerchief that is owned by Desdimona, given to her by Othello. Iago mentions that he “…did today/See Cassio wipe his beard with” (3.3. 129-130). Using this cherished symbol of love between Othello and Desdemona, Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona’s love for him has passed to Cassio and that Desdemona is no longer faithful towards him. Iago creates an image of Cassio and himself sleeping together, and throughout the night Cassio had been talking in his sleep, saying “Sweet Desdemona,/ Let us be wary, let us hid our loves”,/ And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my/ hand;/ Cry, “O sweet creature!” then kiss me hard,/ As if he pluck’d up kisses by the roots/that grew upon my lips; then laid his leg/ Over my thigh, and sigh’d, and kiss’d, and then/ Cried, “Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor”” (3.3. 103-111). Creating this image of unchecked lust, Iago makes Othello confident in his suspicions about Cassio and
Now that Michael Cassio is in distraught, he has no one to turn to, but Desdemona, Othello’s wife. Iago’s ultimate destruction is put into full motion. Michael Cassio and Desdemona spend a lot of secretive time together trying to figure out how to convince Othello to reinstate Cassio’s lieutenant position. The only person that knows their time together is Iago, since he is considered a trustworthy friend. This makes Iago’s plan
Cassio is least fortunate than Othello. Cassio has been a target since the beginning of the story also not because of anger, but because of revenge. Poor Cassio does not have a clue about any of the misleading telltales that Iago has influenced Othello to believe. After Iago gains Othello's trust, he devices a plan to plant Othello's handkerchief on Cassio's bed, setting Desdemona and Cassio up so when Othello asks Cassio for his handkerchief, Cassio would show it to Othello thus proving that Desdemona and Cassio were having an affair. Before all this, Emilia, Iago's wife, finds the handkerchief from Desdemona's bedroom and gives it to Iago later that night, allowing the plan to work out which she has no idea about. Othello by now is already distrusting Desdemona as well as looking down on her. By Act 3, Scene 3, Othello has every right to believe Iago because his trust is on him and his words are factual. Desdemona cannot influence Othello to believe in her. All the signs prove that she is a liar.
In Othello by William Shakespeare, the villainous Iago devises a plot with the hopes that Othello and his wife, Desdemona, will be separated so that he can take Othello’s position as head of the Venetian Military. Iago’s scheme consists of him convincing Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him with his lieutenant, Cassio. Iago has told no one else about his ploy so while everyone else’s actions remain true, he manipulates their every move for his benefit. While their actions may not lead to results that they expected, exploring the reasoning behind everyone’s actions, can give insight to their values since the actions were based on what they believed was the best thing to do. To the characters of Othello, honor is more important than
Othello is one of the greatest plays due to its variety of character and themes. The immorality seen in Iago, the gullibility in Othello, and the desperation of Desdemona make the story. The theme of social status plays a huge role in the story. In addition, the theme of appearance versus reality also plays a huge role in how each tragedy happens. In the critical essay “Othello” it discusses the idea that the characters are cast as outsiders due to false interpretation of what is happening or what is being said. On the other hand, the piece “Othello Character Analysis” emphasizes how characterization reflects the greatness of the piece.