Iago's Revenge in Othello

   The play "Othello" by William Shakespeare is based on an Italian story in Giraldi Cinthio's Hecatommithi (Groliers). In "Othello" we encounter Iago, one of Shakespeare's most evil characters.  Iago is an ensign in Othello's army and is jealous of Cassio's promotion to Lieutenant. Through deception and appearance, we see unfolded a plethora of lies and clever schemes. The astonishing thing about Iago is that he seems to make up his malicious schemes as he goes along without any forethought. Noted writer Samuel Taylor Coleridge describes Iago's plan as "motive-hunting of a motiveless malignity" (Scott 413). Iago seizes every opportunity to further advance his plan to his advantage. Greed plays a

Revenge is the main theme in the play Othello by William Shakespeare and it is portrayed from the character Iago. Through Iago’s soliloquies he reveals his horrible doings. Iago wants to get revenge on Othello and his loved one Desdemona. The reason why he wants to get revenge at Othello is because he promotes Cassio to Lieutenant. Iago takes advantage of his reputation “Honesty Iago” to manipulate other characters in the play to get revenge from Othello. Iago is aware that he can easily manipulate the people around him to get revenge from Othello that he does not stop and think about the harm he is causing. Iago is a brilliant character that he successfully manipulates Cassio, Desdemona, Roderigo and his own wife Emilia to fulfill his

Iago is very notorious for his villainous acts throughout the play “Othello”, by William Shakespeare. Iago’s motives drive him to manipulate and deceive other characters so his “monstrous” (I, iii, 395) plot would succeed. Iago manages to con Roderigo to take his money. Iago also tries to ruin Othello and Desdemona’s relationship by using Cassio as a bait. In this passage, Iago explains how he will manipulate Rodrigo, Cassio and, most importantly, Othello to achieve his goals.

Othello starts the play as a respected and honorable general that has won the respect of the Duke, Brabantio, and Desdemona. However, Iago exposes his personal flaws of jealousy and being too trusting, which lead to murder and his own death. Iago has always been well respected and trustworthy throughout his life, nonetheless he uses his sneaky ability to conduct his plan and not be seen. To carry out his plan Iago must manipulate key characters, among them are Othello, Cassio and Roderigo. Othello showcases the characteristics of a tragedy because it displays the fall of the major character and does not end with a happy

In Othello, Shakespeare builds up to the overall meaning of the play through the use of betrayal which results in Iago ruining everyone’s life as well as his own. Betrayal is central to the drama and it drives each character to making irrational choices, due to them being easily manipulated by Iago’s heartless actions that were motivated by revenge, jealousy and delusional assumptions

During Act I, Scene I of the play, Iago berates Cassio as he spoke to his fellow conspirator, Roderigo, by saying he was unworthy of his lieutenancy as a man who lacks knowledge in the battlefield. By repeatedly emphasizing Cassio’s inadequacy, Iago uncovers that he likely does this out of envy for Cassio.. Iago also suspects that Othello slept with his wife, and it supposedly sets his mind into emotional turmoil. He explicitly states that the thought of it bothers him, “gnaws his inwards.” Although the truth of Iago’s words here remain unclear, if he is in fact disturbed by this idea, this could give him more incentive to ruin Othello as he eventually

In Shakespeare’s play Othello, tragedy unfolds on the account of one man’s actions, Iago. He is a twenty eight year old military veteran from Venice. His personality consists of being obsessive, manipulative, relentless, and bold. From the beginning he expressed his hatred towards the Moor, or North African named Othello. Othello is a highly respected general and is also married to the pure Desdemona. The marriage between Othello and Desdemona is destroyed due to Iago’s actions and lies. His actions consist of getting Michael Cassio discharged as lieutenant and convincing the Moor that his wife is cheating on him. The motives Iago has for despising Othello are he passed him over for a promotion to be his lieutenant, instead he chose

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.

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.

William Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice is a play of great manipulation and jealousy. Iago is the antagonist character of the play Othello. Iago becomes irate and filled with jealousy when Othello names Michael Cassio as his lieutenant, because Iago believed he should have been the one promoted not Michael Cassio. By manipulating everyone around him, Iago portrays himself as an honest noble man whom can be trusted. Iago being known for the honest man he earns everyone’s trust and therefore learns their weakness for his ultimate plan of destruction. Iago’s greatest skill is disguising his manipulative schemes of destroying and betraying the ones around him with what he leads people to believe as honesty. Iago uses their

Iago is the gateway to deception in Othello. It is through Iago that readers are able to see how deception can essentially ruin a relationship or those that are being deceived. One of first examples seen of Iago’s deception is seen in Act 1 Scene 3. While Iago is giving is first soliloquy he explains his plotting to ruin Othello and Desdemona’s marriage. Specifically, Iago says “After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear that he is too familiar with his wife… The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that bet seem to be so.” Here Iago says he plans on convincing Othello that Cassio is becoming too intimate with Desdemona. He believes that this will work because Cassio is a smooth and easy talker and also a good-looking guy. Iago continues to say that Othello is easily convinced because he thinks any man who seems honest must be honest.

Throughout Acts III, IV, and V of “Othello,” Iago manipulates Othello into thinking his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with his friend Cassio. Iago also manipulates the other characters to set up situations that are questionable and plant suspicions in Othello’s mind. He does this in an act of revenge and jealousy, rather than racism.

“Othello” is one of the most successful plays in Shakespeare’s collection. One of the subjects the tragedy addresses is betrayal which is a crucial part of the play that helps the author develop events to bring it to its climax. Iago’s character symbolizes disloyalty, but what are the motives of his treachery? It seems like there is not enough reason for his actions. By creating Iago in “Othello” as perhaps a masterpiece villain comparing to all his other plays, Shakespeare introduces to the audience and reader an evil type of person who unfortunately exists in society, and he suggests that disloyalty is just part of such person’s nature, so one could betray for the sake of betrayal itself.

Though the name of the play written by William Shakespeare is called "Othello," the character Othello is not the main character, but rather Iago is. Iago is the character who drives the play, he is the one who makes things happen. Without his greed and hated, there would be no play at all. The whole play is centered around Iago's revenge and in doing so, he is willing to make other people's lives miserable. Through "Othello," Iago uses the other characters to avenge the wrong doings which Othello has inflicted upon him, and will go to any means to do so.

At all points of one’s life, one has desires; what separates and defines a person is determined by how that person goes about dealing with those desires. Some believe in working honestly towards his or her aspirations and others in seizing it at any cost. Iago, the antagonist of the play Othello is one of those people who would do anything in order to get what he wishes. Because Othello names Cassio lieutenant instead of him, he begins to device a plan in vengeance to bring Othello and Cassio down, which ends up tragic for all of the major characters. Iago’s obsessive need for revenge stems from jealousy and ambition, and because he is a master manipulator, the plan goes extremely smooth for the majority of the play.