In Othello by William Shakespeare, there was a villain named Iago who plotted for revenge against Othello. Iago plays a huge role in Othello as he is the main antagonist in the play. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals as he uses trickery to deceive people. He goes through a series of events in order to manipulate Othello into thinking that his wife, Desdemona, has been cheating on him with Cassio. Iago also holds a grudge against Cassio as he took his role of being Othello’s lieutenant despite Cassio not having any war experience. He enjoys the pleasure of watching other people suffer rather than being killed. He was willing to use innocent people in his plot for revenge. As the villain in the story, Iago will pay the consequences …show more content…
He is selfish and willing to push it to get the job done. He goes as far as to bringing down Roderigo in order to achieve his plan. He killed off Roderigo when he wasn’t needed anymore. “Iago attempts to lure Othello into a self-incrimination display of “alien” behavior, to “transform” the general into a rash and irrational Moor by “transforming” his wife into a whore ( Emily C. Bartels).” He is a wicked villain who would involved someone else who was completely innocent for his own plan. Having Othello dead is not enough to him. He wants to see him tremble in despair and suffer while he watches. He objected to Othello’s plan of poisoning Desdemona, telling him to stranger her in bed instead. He manipulated Othello into thinking that his wife was a whore by sleeping with Cassio to which they did not. He does not think about the consequences or punishment that lies ahead of him and enjoys deceiving people. In fact, he did not care much or respect his wife as much since he used her and stabbed her when she reveals that she gave the handkerchief to her husband, Iago. In fact, Iago even called his wife a “Villainous whore (5.2 227).” His actions have taken the lives of many people in the play such as his wife, Roderigo, Desdemona, and …show more content…
He is known as a person of loyalty and honesty but that is not so true. In one instance, he made up a story about Cassio’s dream of Desdemona. “In sleep I heard him say, “Sweet Desdemona, Let us be wary, let us hide our loves!” (3.3 416-417).” Iago told Othello that Cassio has been saying stuff like “Sweet Desdemona” in his sleep and even tried to kiss and lay his legs over his thigh. This catches Othello’s attention as he is now enraged about Cassio. Iago also states that he saw Cassio using Othello’s handkerchief to wipe off his beard. Iago adds lies on top of lies to anger Othello even more. This eventually leads to Othello making plans to get rid of Cassio and his wife Desdemona. Othello asks Desdemona where his handkerchief was and she told him that she does not have it. It makes Desdemona more suspicious to Othello and makes him believe everything that Iago has told him. Iago tries to gain Othello’s trust in the story little by little with the use of lies and succeeds. Othello appointing him to lieutenant was one step closer for his goal. He did not want Othello to doubt him and uses his words carefully when talking. When Othello talks to Iago about Cassio being an honest man or not. Iago keeps repeating that Cassio is an honest man. However, he states that “To be direct and honest is not safe (3.3 375).” This means that being simply an honest person is not always innocent. Iago knows that one small mistake
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 an example of a classic narcissistic person who is hungry for power and would do anything to get what he wants. This includes getting Othello to trust him and fall right into his trap. Iago says “One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, a fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife; that never set a squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows more than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric, where in the toged consuls can propose as masterly as he: mere prattle, without practise, is all his soldiership” (1.1.20) out of jealousy because Cassio got the lieutenant position instead of Iago, which will lead to Othello’s down fall as soon as Iago begin the lies. Othello has learned to trust Iago and begins to talk with him more and more. Once Cassio is stripped of his lieutenant position after starting a fight Othello give the position to Iago.
Othello’s lieutenant, Cassio is a young and inexperienced soldier (we are told this in the beginning of the play when Cassio is first spoken of), whose high position is much resented by Iago. Truly devoted to Othello, Cassio is extremely ashamed after being implicated in a drunken brawl on Cyprus and losing his place as lieutenant. Iago uses Cassio’s youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemona to play on Othello’s insecurities about Desdemona’s fidelity.
In Iago’s soliloquy, he explains that Cassio trusts him, which he can use to his advantage. Because Cassio is naturally charming, Iago knows that if he concocts a scheme where Cassio has lured Desdemona away from Othello, it will be plausible for Othello to believe it. (1.3.433-441) As previously mentioned, he knows his friends very well due to being analytical and simply being close friends with them, which is part of what made his malicious schemes so grand. Also, Iago divulges to himself and the audience that he believes that Desdemona loves Cassio, but not in the way he will make it appear. He knows that Othello is “of a constant, loving, noble nature,” and that he’ll prove to be “A most dear husband.” (2.1.308-313) Iago briefly scrutinizes Cassio, Desdemona, and Othello. Due to years of friendship, he knows all of them well. In this scene, Iago is not exposing his manipulative, cunning ways so much as he is merely analyzing his “friends.” This will prove to be useful to him later in the
A villain is defined as an evil character in a novel, movie, play, or other story, especially one who is the main enemy of the hero according to Encarta Dictionary. In "Othello," Iago fits this definition perfectly though Othello does not recognize that Iago is his enemy until the end of the story. Iago is the evil-minded, backstabbing character in this dramatic story. He demonstrates this villainy act all through out the story beginning with being angry with Othello for not appointing him as lieutenant, his revenge on cassio for taking his place as lieutenant, and setting up Desdemona to look like she is cheating on Othello. His machinations are so effective because they flow consistently. From the very start, Iago's manipulations
Due to conversations with Iago, Othello and Cassio’s relationship suffers greatly. Othello makes Cassio his second in command because he desires Cassio’s education and the help he gets from him while Desdemona and Othello would often exchange letters. Iago is frustrated that he does not receive the job which leads him to want to destroy Cassio’s reputation through Othello’s eyes. Iago purposely encourages Cassio to drink which leads to Othello losing his respect towards him. Iago has a plan to destroy Cassio’s reputation. “If I can fasten but one cup upon him With that which he hath drunk to-night already, He’ll be as full as quarrel and offence As my young mistress’ dog.”
In Act 2, Scene 3, Michael Cassio speaks with Iago on his demotion and current disfavor with Othello. This conversation begins Iago’s plot for Cassio to attempt to manipulate Othello through Desdemona. Iago initiates the act of deception by saying “…Our general’s wife is now the general…Confess yourself freely to her.” (II.iii.333-338) Cassio’s response reveals the same intent for deception, albeit less severe as Iago’s: “I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me. I am desperate of my fortunes if they check me (here).”
He was tricked into thinking there was proof of the affair and acted out of anger. Othello was upset that he had to kill her, but her betrayal was unforgivable. When Othello discovers that he wrongly killed Desdemona, he was shocked to become aware of Iago’s disloyalty. His guilt began to take over and he killed himself as a way to atone for what he did. Othello’s misplaced jealousy got the best of him because he loved Desdemona too much. He was so wrapped up in Iago’s lies that he couldn’t see the truth even when it came from Desdemona herself. His anger and newfound hatred of Iago are revealed when he stabs him. However, his one request before he died was that he wanted Iago to live and be tortured. Othello knew death was too good for Iago and wanted to make sure he’d suffer for everything.
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.
In addition, since Iago knows about Othello’s marriage and Cassio’s promotion, he plans to lie to Othello about Cassio. Iago has the idea to “abuse Othello’s ear that he is too familiar with his wife.” To have Othello’s trust, he tries to get Othello to be mad at Desdemona for having an affair with Cassio. This makes Othello trust Iago the most, and he repeats lies to keep gaining that trust. “The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be.”
As the villain in Shakespeare's play Othello, Iago has two main actions. They are to plot and to deceive. Iago wishes to plot and to deceive because he is jealous of Othello and hates him. Iago's reasons for why he hates Othello is because he believes that Othello made love to his wife, and Iago is mad that Cassio was chosen to be Lieutenant instead of himself. From this hate comes the main conflict of the play.
He allowed himself to become manipulated by Iago and was led to believe that Desdemona had an extramarital relationship with Cassio. One example was when Iago told Othello to “observe his wife closely with Cassio” (3.2.64-64). Another example was when Iago told Othello that he saw Cassio holding a white strawberry handkerchief that Othello had he given to Desdemona as a wedding present. He allowed his jealously to get the best of him and was completely unaware of the level of deceit created by Iago who sought ought to threatened his marriage to
In Shakespeare's Othello, Othello's pride prevents him from finding the truth, eventually leading to his demise. Initially, Othello and Desdemona are deeply in love, despite her father's disapproval of their marriage. However, when Othello promotes Cassio instead of Iago to Lieutenant, Iago has his revenge by convincing Othello that Desdemona cheats on him with Cassio, destroying the marriage between Othello and Desdemona. Othello grows to meet his downfall when his trusted friend Iago causes him to think that his wife Desdemona is unfaithful.
He explains too Roderigo that he hates Othello. Roderigo wonders why is he still working for Othello. Then he explains that he is a hypocrite and proud of it. He's only pretending to be loyalty to Othello and I'd certainly not like those who would work for their masters acting like they like them until they died The character Iago says "whip me such honest knaves.
You have told me she hath received them, and returned me expectations and comfort of sudden respect and acquaintance; but I find none” (IV, ii, 186-190). Roderigo started to see that Iago is cheating on him, but Iago is smart enough, and Roderigo is dumb enough for Iago to confuse him. In the second act during the party after the defeat over the Turks, Cassio becomes very drunk and easily taken advantage of. He then runs into the room where everyone is and attacks Roderigo. Montano intervenes and is then wounded by Cassio; Othello is forced to demote Cassio from his position of Lieutenant. With Cassio devastated he asks for advice from Iago, he then informs Cassio the only way to gain his position back is to talk to Desdemona. Cassio then leaves “good night, Honest Iago” (II, iii, 306). Shakespeare put in those two extra words on purpose; he is trying to show how Iago is already able to play with people’s minds and how manipulative he can be. Us, the audience knowing what Iago really wants to do, but Cassio puts trust into Iago with his position and future. The last person to believe Iago is honest and to trust him is Othello. Iago started to tell Othello of how Desdemona might be sleeping with Cassio, and how she is cheating on him. Othello does not believe him as there is no proof, “I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; and on the proof there is no more but this” (III, iii, 190-191). Othello knows