Iago Role In Othello

These motivations for Iago's villainy are the first plot points that are revealed in Othello, and cast Iago as a victim before anyone else. While Othello is respected and loved, and Cassio is trusted, Iago is only given the lowly position of "his Moorship's ancient," or flag-bearer.

Iago is Shakespeare's most used character in the play. The events in the story are controlled by him, he has the most dialogue out of any character, and he is proven to have relationships with nearly every character in the cast. One could say that he is the tool that Sheakspeare uses to teach the lesson in this tragedy. Despite being the central character in the play Othello, Iago is a villain. Shakespeare uses the villain Iago to show how easily one's weaknesses can be exploited. Within the story, Iago exploits the weaknesses of not only Othello, but also Roderigo, Cassio, and Desdemona. By watching these characters, the audience sees how easily their weaknesses are exploited, and how often these flaws lead to their downfall.

In other words, Cassio is a man who knows as much about war as an old woman does, unless it is what he has read in books. Therefore, Iago finds him hardly qualified for the job he has gained. Iago is also jealous toward Othello because it is rumored that he has slept with his wife Emilia. (Find Quote In Book) Iago now has a motive to make Othello think that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair to get revenge on Othello and achieve his goal. His hatred and jealously toward Othello and Cassio seem to turn Iago, himself into “the green-eyed monster” (III.iii.1203) that leads him down a path of destruction.

This next part of Iago’s character plays an equally important role in the play. An article says that a “... superb ability of Iago is that he has an acute eye for his victim's weaknesses and exploits them mercilessly.” (“Villainous Role of Iago in Othello”). Iago is able to use the characters weaknesses against them for his own selfish reasons. While the audience is aware of Iago’s plan, the other characters are oblivious to his evil

From the beginning of the play, Iago is left in displeasure since he was incapable of achieving his endeavour to wind up as a lieutenant and his physical appearance, both in which Cassio has a critical contribution. In any case, what makes Iago desirous to a great degree is the way that Othello elevates

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.

    Tragedy is an intrinsically human concept; tragic heroes are damned by what they themselves do. Othello is not so much felled by the actions of Iago, but by a quality all people possess-- human frailty. Accordingly, Othello is not a victim of consequences, but an active participant in his downfall. He is not merely a vehicle for the machinations of Iago; he had free agency. Othello's deficiencies are: an insecure grasp of Venetian social values; lack of critical intelligence, self-knowledge, and faith in his wife; and finally, insecurity-- these are the qualities that lead to his own downfall.

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,

Their friendship is a vehicle for Iago’s revenge. Iago is also very focused on himself. He is so wrapped up in himself and his anger that he does not care who he hurts. Most of the deaths in the play are collateral damage of Iago’s vengeance. Iago’s greatest characteristic is his outstanding knowledge of how people think and behave. This is his most useful skill. This ability is used throughout the events of the play to coerce the other characters into destroying each other. Iago does all of this without his fellows figuring out much about him or his motivation, though Iago himself does not seem to know his motivation.

In act One, scene one we see Iago's conversation with Roderigo about Cassio being promoted ahead of him and how Iago believes that this is because of favourtism. This suggests one of many reasons why Iago plots against Othello. From this conversation we see that Iago is envious of Cassio being promoted ahead of him, and plotting against Othello as a means of seeeeking revenge. “I follow him to serve my turn upon him”. Iago believes that he

Iago's plans are carried out by causing sexual jealousy. The successes of his plans depend on "his pose of unswerving honesty - a pose which none of the other characters, not even his wife, is able to penetrate" (Scragg 52). The other people involved in Iago's plan have no idea what is about to happen to them. Iago uses their ignorance to destroy all of them. " All are oblivious of the false mind behind the ‘honest' mask and of the many specific machinations by which they are victimized" (Evans 116). Even though Iago is accused of all these evil deeds, that are not revealed until the end of the play, it can still be reduced to look like a minute act. "Iago can be reduced to a resourceful intriguer who exposes the hero's weakness to ridicule and devises an appropriate punishment," says Mehl in Shakespeare's Tragedies: An Introduction.

     Iago, the villain in Shakespeare’s Othello, is a round character of great depth and many dimensions. Iago works towards an aim that is constantly changing and becomes progressively more tragic. Yet, at times, "honest" Iago does actually seem honest. This essay will explore the complex character of "honest Iago.

Corruption overcomes the Venetian society as Iago uses his crafty skills of deceit. The plan to have Othello turn against the ones he loves is the perfect example of evil’s nature. The power struggle is evident between these two. This situation is the start to

In the tragedy “Othello” by William Shakespeare the antagonist of the play is Iago a Venetian military officer. In the play Iago feels wronged when he is not given a high ranking military position as Othello’s second in command. Iago looking to avenge not being selected for the position by Othello Iago looks to stir feelings of jealousy and mistrust within Othello. Iago also lies to Othello telling him Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair leading to Othello verbally and physically assaulting Desdemona ultimately leading to her death at the hands of Othello. Shakespeare uses Iago’s villainy as a vehicle for Othello’s desenscion from a calm, well-respected,

Throughout the play Shakespeare presents Iago as the most manipulative character.Iago attempts to control and manipulate the characters by revealing and exploiting their fatal flaw to bring about their downfall.