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Iago Character Analysis

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Monsters are everywhere and anywhere. Monsters can be found in dreams, in reality, and even in literature. William Shakespeare, in Othello, creates his monster in the form of man, Iago, to better connect his audience to the idea that people are not always what they seem. Iago, from the moment the audience meets him, is a liar. He is out for revenge against the people he believes have wronged him. The monstrous Iago tells lies for his own gain, is a connected liar, and significant because he is made in the Devil’s image.

A lie is destructive on its own, but a bundle of lies are a force destructive enough to change how a person views the world around them. This major trend with monstrous Iago, his lie brings about more destruction than the lie told before it, as if he is unaware of the consequences that come with lying and the monster inside has taken over reason. Iago’s destruction grows with his lies like Pinocchio’s nose grows with each of his lies (Collodi). For example, in act 1 Iago lies to Roderigo by making him pay Iago to break up Othello and his wife (Shakespeare). Iago tells Roderigo that he needs more money, and Roderigo pays him because he is desperately in love with Othello’s wife, Desdemona. Iago again messes with other characters when he says to Othello, “She did deceive her father, marrying you” (3.3.205). By saying this to Othello, Iago causes doubt to appear in Othello’s mind because if Desdemona can deceive her father, then what is stopping her from

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