The Character of Iago in Shakespeare's Othello Essay

    To most of the world William Shakespeare is recognized as the greatest dramatist in history.  His plays have been performed for centuries through various interpretations.  Shakespeare's vast knowledge, and writing style made his works interesting for both the intellectual, and the illiterate.  One of these styles is the use of motifs, which is seen extensively in Othello.  An important example that runs throughout Othello, is Iago's honesty.  This motif gave existence to Shakespeare's perfect villain.

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

   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

Shakespeare is universally revered for his characterization of flawed and psychologically unstable protagonists. Hamlet is a crazed, murdering prince, Lear is narcissistic, senile, and a verbally abusive father, and Macbeth is a murderous traitor to his king and country. These unfavorable and evil attributes serve Shakespeare's main characters by presenting them as realistically written men, and there always seems a degree, however small, of sympathy associated with their respective downfalls and tragedies. Othello, however, is an anomaly.

Iago claims to “hate the Moor” (Act 1, sc 3, line 368) so he wants to

8ahlmeier 5characters so well, Iago uses ethos to effectively ;udge which method of persuasion to use based on a character’s 0ualities, flaws, motives, and desires, and Iago’s relationship to him or her.Iago easily evokes "assio’s emotions through pathos. #e recogni%es the honorable and valiant virtues "assio e2hibits and uses these virtues to fashion "assio into a pawn. Iago, knowing alcohol to be the counteragent of "assio’s virtues, encourages the sport of drinking to the point where "assio rela2es his conduct and allows his emotions to overcome him, breaking out in a fight which causes him to forfeit his position as officer !II.iii.465-$. "assio has a strong desire for redemption and reinstallation, and Iago suggests "assio beseech

Iago as Evil in William Shakespeare's Othello "Othello" is famously regarded as one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies. It explores the downfall of a great general Othello through a series of unlucky circumstances. Othello's character shows a man of high status whose job, marriage and life is ruined because of his insecurities by a man named Iago. Iago (Othello's ensign) is able to manipulate Othello,

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

reason he "would expend time with such a snipe" is but to use him. He

With that which he hath drunk to-night already, He'll be as full of quarrel and offence As my young mistress' dog.” He gets Cassio drunk, because he knows Cassio will make a fool out of himself, which helps Iago get closer to Othello, and helps gain his respect. Iago also speaks with Desdemona and manipulates her into helping Cassio get his job back, which seems very strange to the jealous Othello. All of these situations prove Iago’s power over Othello’s intelligence, and he gains his control through making Othello fiercely jealous.

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.

In Act 2, Iago is a deceptive person. He is able to effortlessly pretend that he loves Cassio, even though he is plotting to get him fired. There is a part of Act 2 of Scene 3, where a brawl has just taken place between Cassio and Roderigo. Cassio is made drunk by Iago; Roderigo takes advantage of this and picks a fight with him. (IC; IC) Montano is trying to stop the fight; he places himself between them and gets hurt instead. (General IC; Specific IC) The ruckus interrupts Othello’s honeymoon night. He asks Iago to reveal who started the fight. Iago feigns innocence at first, but eventually tells Othello “with reluctance” that it was Cassio: “I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth / Than it should do offense to Michael Cassio” (Shakespeare 2.3.236-267). (IC: “Quote” (citation).) Iago claims that he does not want to say anything bad about Cassio because he cares for Cassio. The audience obviously knows that Iago set Cassio up to get into a fight and ultimately get fired. This is because Iago despises Cassio; for, he has a greater power and position than Iago. Iago is so easily able to lie in front of

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.

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

Iago is undoubtably the villian in William Shakespeare's 'Othello', however the reason behind his evil deeds are less clear. There are many possibilities as to why Iago betrayed his superior Othello. Was he simply envious of Othello's status or did Iago plot to destroy Othello for his own enjoyment?