Iago's Motives

Each situation of manipulation proves Shakespeare’s characterization of Iago. He was an evil antagonist, and would do anything to get to the top. Due

The story of Othello is merely a historical version of the chaos and morality that appears in the Common Era. Iago is the infamous villain that is cynical, dark, and manipulative. He lacks empathy for other human beings, and reminds me of one of the most incredible fictional villains of all time- The Joker. The Joker who appears in the movie The Dark Knight, is eerily similar to Iago. Iago is a ruthless and scheming individual. He loves to create chaos, and as his plans unfold, he relishes the pain he is causing to other individuals. He is seemingly enjoying the agony that the other characters around him are going through and feeling. As he sees how deep his schemes are progressing, he continues to add fuel to the fire and see how much damage he can cause. Iago also enjoys “watching the world burn.” He enjoys his sense of

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,

In Othello, Iago is a villainous person who is filled with hatred, jealousy and an undeniable lust for power. He influences and manipulates everyone close to him for the sole purpose of destroying their lives.

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.

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.

     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.

Othello, not knowing that Cassio was in fact speaking with Desdemona in hopes of being reinstated as Lieutenant, mistakenly believes that the two are having an affair and that Desdemona has lost her chastity. Iago skillfully capitalizes on the situation by developing his attack further: "She did deceive her father, marrying you" (3.3.220). Othello begins to see Iago's reasoning: if she could deceive her father, she could just as easily deceive her new husband. Once Othello's bliss has been decimated, Iago concentrates on weakening Othello's perception of himself; Iago very carefully and very tactfully chooses words and metaphors that subconsciously pit Othello against the Venetians. Othello begins to perceive himself as an outsider in his own country, "a malignant and turbaned Turk" (5.2.365). A fruitful marriage with a Venetian woman becomes out of the question in Othello's mind. Iago's successful manipulation takes a self-confidant man and reduces him to one at ends with himself and with the woman he loved.

Othello had the option of having a rational discussion with Desdemona however he decides to blame her without evidence. While reflecting on the information Iago has given him, Othello begins plotting his revenge. Othellos temper made matters worst for Desdemona. Whenever he becomes angered he lashes out on Desdemona and would physically and mentally abuse her. Othello’s aggressive behavior has become suspicious to some, yet he is left alone. Othello commits the murder of Desdemona with no remorse and doesn't think twice about what will happen to him. Othello states, “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men. Put out the light, and then put out the light. If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,I can again thy former light restore”(5.2.235). He undoubtedly believes that Desdemona must be killed no questions asked. When Lodovico realizes what Othello has done he is stunned. Lodovico attempts to convince Othello of what he did is wrong, but he believes his actions were right, ”O thou Othello, thou wert once so good,Fall'n in the practice of a damnèd slave,What shall be said to thee?”, othello then states,” Why, anything. An honorable murderer, if you will,For naught I did in hate, but all in honor” (5.2.342-347). Instead of taking responsibility for killing Desdemona Othello is making excuses to protect

Betrayal is first seen with Desdemona when she marries Othello without her father's knowledge or consent. Ironically, Brabantio warns Othello, when he says, "She has deceiv'd her father, and may thee,". He is suggesting that she has therefore shown a potential for disloyalty. Immediately

In William Shakespeare’s play Othello, the Iago is the most important character. It is his dreams, hopes and desires that turn him evil, bringing out the worst possible characteristics in order to achieve all the things he wants. Iago’s manipulative traits, deceitful actions and love for Othello eventually cause the death Emilia, Desdemona and Othello himself.

Throughout the play, Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago doesn’t change much as a character being that he tries to get revenge on Othello throughout the entire story. Despite his lack of change throughout the play, Iago affects everybody’s character and life. These effects on the other character’s lives pushed them to extreme conditions. Iago begins planning his revenge on Othello after he finds out that Othello gave the promotion of lieutenant to Cassio instead of him. In order to get his revenge, Iago plans on spreading rumors about Othello’s wife, Desdemona, and Cassio.

Othello was portrayed as a strong willed general that has his world under control, when in reality he is in ruins, his life is slipping right out of his grasp. Othello was being manipulated by his lifelong friend Iago. Iago schemed a plan to convince Othello that Desdemona was cheating on him. Throughout the entire play Othello kept his cool, aside from a few moments it was as if Othello was unphased by such an event. It is often said that talking to oneself is the first sign of madness, likewise othello is even heard arguing with himself on numerous occasions about the state of his relationship with Desdemona and trying to sift through the facts to determine if she is actually cheating on him. Othello has such a hard time deciphering what is right and wrong because Iago is supposed to be one of Othello's great friends. Othellos outside and internal conflicts become apparent when he calls Desdemona a whore. Desdemona is taken back because she cannot think of a good reason why Othello would do such a thing to

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.

What He Knows, He knows In Othello, Shakespeare created a unique and powerful character, Iago, who dominates the plot of the play until the play reaches the tragic results. Even though he looks as a human evil easily and clearly, many critics have evaluated his motivation as many different opinion: “Critics have listed the several reasons he does what he does… The critical quandary concerning Iago’s motivation has thus lead Maurice Hunt (2005: 125) to argue that Iago has no motivation at all” Mills cites in his essay “Mind the Gap: Teaching Othello through Creative Responses” (Mills 156). It is because the inner world of human being that Iago shows is so profound and difficult to understand, so it is hard to be defined by one word in common.