Reputation in Othello

Both Shakespeare and Fitzgerald want the reader to understand that sometimes many characters can be to blame for the chaos that occurs. One may think that the downfall of the plots happen solely because of the actions of the protagonists, Gatsby and Othello, when in reality, many other characters are to blame. In Othello, Iago is behind Othello’s deception making him believe that his wife, Desdemona is unfaithful. Iago uses the other characters as pawns in his “game” to achieve his main objective, obtaining the spot as lieutenant. During a party at Cyprus, Roderigo convinces Cassio, upon encouragement by Iago, to drink and have a good time. This ends in a fight between Roderigo and Cassio who then says, “reputation, reputation, reputation” (Shakespeare 2.3.281). Cassio is expressing his sadness as he is in fear that he has ruined his reputation after Othello dismisses him from his place as lieutenant. Iago’s plan has begun and he has already played his first move, adding to the already visible chaos. Unlike Iago, Gatsby is not trying to manipulate the other

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

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.

Perfect people do not exist in this world of temptations, failures, and suffering. In fact, every person has weaknesses, and there is always a possibility that someone will use those feeble points against that man. Shakespeare's play Othello shows an example of how one can control others exploiting their weaknesses and the consequences of such actions. The character of Iago, the antagonist in the tragedy Othello, instigates chaos, deception, and gross manipulation. He is the center of all the evil events in the play. He manages to completely deceive everyone by displaying an honest facade. Thus he is able to instill trust in all those around him. Since no one sees him for the evil and deceiving man that he really is, he manages to

Throughout the play, Iago is thought to be honest and a good advisor. We often see "…honest Iago… ", or in Othello's words "…this fellow's of exceeding honesty… ". None of the characters in the play knows what Iago is really up to, and they blindly trust him and accept his advice.

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

Once a seed of suspicion or doubt is planted in a person’s mind, the noxious effect of jealousy is soon to ensue. Jealousy and suspicion are Othello’s flaws hubris throughout the play and foreshadow to the audience his imminent downfall. He believes what Iago tells him so strongly that he compromises his close relationship with his best friend and his love for his wife. Iago manipulates Othello through the use of extortion, literary techniques, and his keen judge of character. His syntax and diction are so simple yet so powerful because he uses the correct rhetorical questions and addresses Othello with respectful terms such as “my lord.” He allows Othello do most of the talking

In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello, Iago demonstrates a mastery of manipulation over people who had previously trusted and confided in him. His sudden turn from Othello’s loyal ensign to rage-filled villain seems indicative of a man who can no longer accept his position in life. Iago’s plotting of Othello’s demise starts as idle talk of a disgruntled 28 year-old career military man passed over for promotion. Iago believes that such a promotion may never come after Othello rejects his candidacy and makes it clear that he did not believe him suitable. He sees Othello is only concerned with personal and political gain with his choice of Cassio as lieutenant. When Iago teams with love-scorned and desperate Roderigo, he begins

In Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’, the reader is introduced to the character Iago. There are many different interpretations of his character, was he a ‘skillful villain’? Or was he a ‘mysterious creature of unlimited cynicism’? Or just a ‘wronged man’ who is more sinned against than sinning?

Othello is the character with whom most of Iago's methods have success. His weakness as a jealous lover is apparent early on, but only after Iago’s has planted the seeds of doubt within his mind. Such is Othello’s trust for Iago that he uses the misnomer of describing Iago as ‘honest Iago’ and irony considering the action held within the play.  The trust is obvious and implicit and thoroughly entrenched within the language. Othello surmises on the aforementioned doubts during the last act of the play when he says;

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 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,

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

The three people that Othello trust the most are: his wife, lieutenant Cassio, and Iago. But Iago has bad intensions, and he is going to be the character that steers Othello wrong. Even though Othello has done nothing wrong to him he thinks that his wife, Emilia cheated on him with Othello. So that’s why he wants to get revenge on Othello. But the main reason Iago is steering Othello wrong because he wants a higher position in the army. Iago is just the evil character in the play that lies and cheats.

Othello and Iago’s relationship, the most prominent relationship, represents the duality of the play. Othello believes that Iago is helping him and guiding him to be a better person; however, Iago is using Othello to get his way. “Iago is annoyed that he didn't receive promotion from general Othello” (“Relationships in Othello”). Iago is dissatisfied with Othello’s choice because he believes he deserves the promotion. Iago becomes vengeful and devises a plan to enact his revenge. “I follow him to serve my turn upon him” (Shakespeare). Iago is shown to only serve Othello for his own purposes. Othello cannot see through the facade that Iago has put up and follows him blindly. “Othello trusts Iago totally as Iago has a reputation in Venice for being very honest” (“Relationships in Othello”). Moreover, Othello calls Iago “Honest Iago” on multiple occasions in the play. Othello is shown to believe that Iago is honest and trustworthy by Shakespeare to emphasize the duality of the relationship between Iago and Othello. Their relationship is a major aspect in