Iago's Deception Essay

The most interesting character in the play Othello is the villain, Iago, commonly referred to as "Honest Iago".  Iago is smart, and well tuned to human behavior, and uses this knowledge to

All three texts present Deception as a destructive force, however the way in which it is portrayed differs. Streetcar and Chesil Beach display a form of deception that is more justifiable through Blanche and Florence, whilst Othello demonstrates a more severe deception through Iago, a mastermind in manipulation. The severity of Blanche and Florence’s deception is less than Iago’s due to their good intent; both are using deception not for their own personal gain but only for the benefit of others. Iago is the main protagonist of Deception in Othello. The structure of Othello’s plot is largely based on his self-centred plan to seek revenge. The opening scene of the play immediately submerges the audience in deception through Iago’s speech. In conversation with Roderigo, Iago vows that he follows his lord Othello, not out of service, but to seek revenge. He declares ‘I follow him to serve my turn upon him’. Stated quite openly at the start of the play it sets the stage for the unfolding of deception and deceit. Further in the play, Iago openly admits he is a sinner and goes as far as comparing his actions to those of ‘The devil’: ‘Divinity of hell! When devils will the blackest sins put

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 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,

Iago is a powerful predator who exploits those around him by infecting their perceptions of truth with carefully chosen fallacy. His skill in finding the proverbial chinks in others' armor allows him to skillfully weave his machinations of destroying Othello into their minds and actions; by manipulating character's perceptions of Desdemona, Iago gains the leverage he needs to exploit each character. No one is impervious to Iago's seething purpose; even Othello falls prey to Iago's suggestions and insinuations about Desdemona. Iago's constant presence as the stager, as well as his ceaseless - but subtle - reinforcement of events through narration, allows him to be the pivotal force that directs

But not only this, he goes on to say that he believes that Othello has had sex with his wife, Emilia “Hath leaped into my seat”. In this silioquy Iago shares the beginning of his plan, to make Othello so jealous with the idea that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair “jealousy so strong that judgement cannot cure”. However because of the reasons he put forward to Roderigo earlier in the play, we cannot be sure that Iago is telling the truth to the audience, even though he is seen to be confiding in the audience with his master plan. Through the use of this silioquy, and the others in the play, Shakespeare creates dramatic irony, where the audience know more about what is happening than the characters themselves do. This assists his portrayal of Othello as a tragic hero, as the audience is able to see his fatal flaw, and learn the devastating result because of it.

Iago has many characteristics that work in his favor making him all the more dangerous. He is charming, intelligent, deceitful, and a clever wordsmith. He uses his language and he self-awareness to create a false perception of himself, one he wishes others to believe. He gladly uses these characteristics to his advantage by playing on people’s insecurities. Frequently, playing on Othello’s non-Venetian status. Iago tells Othello about untruths about Venetian women since Othello isn’t familiar. Saying that she married him for his status and background not necessarily for love, but this is not her fault, this is just how Venetian women are raised. In addition, that she held back her natural feelings to be with Othello. “ Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank, foul disproportions, thoughts unnatural but pardon me – I do not in position distinctly speak of her; though I fear her will recoiling to her better judgment, may fall to match you with her country forms,

He gloats about the easy in which he can manipulate Roderigo (the fool) into giving him money. Directly after this, you hear of Iago’s feelings towards Othello (the Moor). You learn of Iago’s suspicion about his wife having an affair with Othello. This gains pity from the audience, because you feel that Iago is a man deeply distraught over the idea of his wife cheating on him. Iago then begins to contemplate how he would seek vengeance on Othello and gain his title. Iago plans to use Othello’s trust and opinion of him to his advantage. He speaks about how he will use Cassio as his pawn to lure Othello into believing his wife, Desdemona is being unloyal to him. Iago discloses that Othello’s character is naive and will be easy to manipulate. As his closing statement he states that, with a little help from the devil, his monstrous plan will be a success.

     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.

He is the character that wants to get revenge on Othello, which makes him present deception from beginning to end. Iago is deceit by pretending to be loyal, caring and honest to plenty of the characters, especially to Othello and Roderigo. He confirms this statement in Act 5, scene i, when Iago talks to himself: "Live Roderigo, He calls me to a restitution large Of golf and jewels that I bobb'd from him As gifts to Desdemona; It must not be. If Cassio do remain, He hath a daily beauty in his life That makes me ugly. And besides, the Moor May unfold me to him; there stand in much peril. No, he must die. Be 't so; I hear him coming." (Act V, scene i, 15-20), in this quote Iago reveals that he has been dishonest to Othello and uncaring to Roderigo. Another event where Iago shows deception is when he gives a display to Cassio that he cares and wants to help him get his position back to lieutenant. Another way he proves deceitfulness is when Iago keeps on telling lies about Desdemona having an affair with Cassio to Othello, when he knew that she was not. Iago is the antagonist that shows deceitfulness in many ways. He provides proof by being dishonest, unfaithful, cruel and more to many of the characters in the

Iago has many reasons to hate Othello, including the fact that he had been passed over for a promotion, in which Othello had snatched the position, and he also suspects Othello had slept with Emilia. These reasons were given to the audience, as Iago, himself, reveals his reasons to Roderigo, “ I hate the Moor; and it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets 'has done my office. I know not if't be true; yet I, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety.” (1.3.378-82). Iago is never turned back on his plan to ruin Othello and the people surrounding him, since he is always contemplating on how Othello doesn’t deserve his accolades, and how Iago is plotting revenge against him. This keeps Iago to consistently, and deliberately continue with his strategies, which keeps the audience empathetic for the rest of the story. Iago is also jealous of Othello’s ability to woo and lure Desdemona, “It cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moor ... She must change for youth. When she is sated with his body, she will find the error of her choice.” (1.3.340). However, Even if Iago had received the promotion; even if he had no suspicions or jealous feelings, he would still invent new motives for hating the Moor, as he is the devil of the story. Iago is not capable of performing good deeds, sustaining good relationships, or even

Reading Othello through a psychological perspective it is apparent that Shakespeare uses Iago’s characterization, external conflict, and a theme of jealousy to show his manipulative character. Iago is cunning, deceiving, and intelligent. He gains the name “Honest Iago” from Othello and others in the play. He claims to have an honest reputation; however, he creates lies to exploit and manipulate others to get his way. Iago is very jealous of Othello because he believes Othello slept with his wife Emilia and Cassio because of his high

Honest Iago is the villain behind “Othello”, and his villainy is the main reason that the events in the play occurred. He is a two-faced and cunning character. His uses his cunning personality to persuade other characters to participate in his plans, whether they are aware of it or not. He plays on their weakness to greater achieve his goal. Iago’s role as the villain is a necessary one as even though the focus of the play in supposedly on Othello, it revolves around Iago and his plans.

Iago is one of the most interesting characters in the tragedy "Othello" by William Shakespeare. Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that benefits him and gets him closer to his goals. He is the driving force in this play, pushing Othello and everyone else towards the tragic ending.

In the play, Othello, written by William Shakespeare, the character that shows the most characteristics of a villain is Iago. The downfall of Othello is caused by Iago who is a manipulative liar. Iago is the main villain of the story and manipulates Othello and most of the other characters. Iago’s manipulative personality allows him to advance in his evil scheme leading to Othello’s downfall. Iago worked alongside Othello and Cassio, Othello’s lieutenant, for a long time and used his knowledge of their character to manipulate them. When Iago said, “And I of whom his eyes have seen the proof. At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and at other grounds” he claimed to have been witness to both Othello and Cassio’s weaknesses (I.i.25-26). He knew that he had the ability to manipulate them, and this foreshadowed his use of knowledge to ruin them. Iago is cruel and took pride in manipulating Othello and Cassio. Iago formed close relationships with many of his fellow