Preview

How To Write An Essay On Iago's Character

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
513 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How To Write An Essay On Iago's Character
Character Analysis “Iago”

Shakespeare's Iago is one of the best examples of a villain to this day. Such a villain would distract from the impact of the play. Shakespeare added depth to his villain making him Amoral, as opposed to the typical immoral villain. Iago's entire scheme begins when the "ignorant, ill-suited" Cassio is given the position Iago wanted. Iago is consumed with envy and plots to steal the Position he feels he most deserves. Iago deceives, steals, and Kills to gain that position. However, it is not that Iago pushes aside his conscience to commit these acts, but that he lacks a conscience to Begin with. Iago's amorality can be seen throughout the play and is shown by his actions.
For Iago to constantly lie and deceive his wife and Friends, he must be extremely evil…or amoral. In every scene where Iago speaks you can point out his deceptive manner. Iago tricks Othello into believing that his own wife is having an affair, without any proof. Othello is so caught up In Iago's lies that he refuses to believe Desdemona when she denies the whole thing. Credit must be given to Iago's diabolical power, which enables him to twist the minds of his Friends and wife. In today's
…show more content…
He screws with the money that Roderigo gave him to win over Desdemona. When Roderigo discovers that Iago has been hoarding his money he screams at Iago and threatens him. However, when Iago tells him some imaginary plot in order to capture Desdemona's Heart, Roderigo forgets Iago's theft and agrees to kill Cassio. Iago's intellect is what interests the reader most. His ability to say the right things at the right time is what makes him such a successful Villain. However, someone with a conscience would never be able to Keep up such a plan and deceive everyone around him. This is why it is Necessary to say that Iago is amoral, because if you don't his Character becomes fictional and hard to

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Iago vs Krogstad

    • 834 Words
    • 4 Pages

    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.…

    • 834 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello: Iago's Villains

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In almost everything you read or watch there is a villain. Villains have been used in stories for a very long time. One particular villain, Iago from the play Othello by Julius Caesar, is a very famous villain. Iago was an extremely bad guy in this play and was always up to no good. The character Iago and his traits have influenced many more modern villains. Iago influenced other villains with his criminal traits of being evil, egotistical, and dishonesty.…

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Shakespeare has created the character of Iago as the villain of the play. He drives the plot as he schemes and manipulated other characters. He fascinates and terrifies the audience with his revengeful plotting which he has no real motivation for.…

    • 763 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago Character Analysis

    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Iago is manipulative and also very cunning however what led to his downfall is him underestimating others. He has a talent for understanding and manipulating people around him desires and that makes him both a powerful and a heavily admired character. Shakespeare display Iago as an evil character who’s willing to drag innocent character into his revenge- Roderigo, Desdemona and Emilia. Iago is able to hurt Othello deeply because he understands Othello so well and as the ply progress on seem to grow even closer to Othello as his revenge progresses. He frequently refers to Othello as the 'Moor´ this statement show…

    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In Othello, Iago is a power thirsty, problematic man of deception. Iago admits to his knowledge of his trickery QUOTE. This proves that he is fully aware of what he is doing and he plans on using this to his advantage. Iago plants thoughts of doubt in Othello's mind repeatedly…

    • 336 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago is quick to capitalize on Roderigo's emotions and intends to procure a financial windfall. Iago goads Roderigo into believing that he can only win Desdemona's love by giving him money, "Put money in thy purse", so that he can attain gifts for her (Shakespeare 1.3. 339). Iago takes the money for the gifts and keeps it to make a profit. Once Roderigo begins to question Iago's honesty, Iago just thinks of more ways to capitalize on other people's weaknesses and offers the idea that killing Cassio will aid Roderigo's cause, thus Iago is making more money and making it easier to take advantage of his next victim, Cassio. It is clear that Iago's motivations are veered somewhat toward monetary gain, something humans are all too familiar…

    • 765 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It is said that Iago is the worst hypocrite Shakespeare has invented. IN the play he also boasts about the fact that he is only playing a part. Only the reader sees that he is a very dishonest, deceitful man. All in the play except Roderigo regards him as honest. Iago manipulates people into liking him, and then he uses their trust in him, against them to bring them down. Iago lies and plants seeds of doubts in order to destroy others and their relationships. When his own plots are in danger, he encourages anger and makes mischief between others. One would think that Iago has no conscious; he acts immorally time after time without a hint of guilt. He is young and very keen to have things working out in his way.…

    • 467 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello Good Vs Evil

    • 933 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the characters’ personalities and motivations influence the plot heavily. Iago is driven by his jealousy of Cassio and his desire to exact revenge on Othello. Othello’s trusting nature leads to his undoing in the play. Iago takes advantage of how he’s seen in the eyes of those around him to carry out his plans. Although Othello is the protagonist of the play and Iago is the antagonist, the two characters are not the ultimate portrayals of good and evil. Othello is not a war between good and evil, but instead a demonstration on how destructive jealousy and gullibleness can be.…

    • 933 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Othello, Iago is a very manipulative and cunning character. Iago's entire scheme begins when Cassio is given the position that Iago wanted. Iago then comes up with numerous ideas and plots to steal the position he feels he most deserves. Iago deceis, steals, and kills to gain that position.…

    • 981 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Iago Is Evil Essay

    • 2639 Words
    • 11 Pages

    The Shakespeare tragedy Othello was written and set during the early 17th century in Venice rule. The play is set in Cyprus and Venice. In the play Othello, Iago attempts to destroy the marriage of Othello and Desdemona. Iago is a compelling sophisticated villain, who revels in his own ability to dissemble. At first glance Iago is pure evil. He is perhaps the most interesting and deceiving character in the tragic play Othello. During the play Iago uses carefully thought out words and actions which enable him to manipulate others and do things in a way which benefits him and allows him to move closer to his goals. He is a villain who is adept to quick-witted improvisation. Iago's pride is laced with sly vindictiveness; also he is egotistical and independent, convincingly able to adapt his tone and style to any situation. Of all the characters presented in Shakespeare's literature the most sinister one is without a doubt Iago. He is a ruthless sociopath. No other character can even come close to his evil. Most of the antagonists present in Shakespeare's plays have valid reasons for the troubles they cause. Iago doesn't for the most part he just has a burning hatred for the world, especially Othello. This is what…

    • 2639 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago is the exemplification of a scheming and shrewdness character in a play. He is guileful and sharp, conniving, and sexist. He demonstrates no sensitivity after he coerces individuals that trust him, and he spends the total of the play arranging and executing their downfall. He assumes a vital part in the play as the opponent, and without him, there would be no contention.…

    • 635 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello’s blind acceptance of Iago’s web of lies is the result of his inability to think straight due to his jealousy of Desdemona along with Iago’s success in manipulating the general population. He was heartbroken and jealous of his wife’s supposed betrayal. This was supported by the fact that Iago had not just fooled Othello into believing his lies, all the characters within the play had believed in Iago’s lies. To strengthen the proposed theme further, it can be noted that Iago is a very manipulative person whilst Othello is the exact opposite, being naïve in character and expecting no less from those around him. Contradicting however, was his blinding jealousy, that stemmed from his immense trust and belief in Iago.…

    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    As I stated earlier Iago is the villain in Othello, and to be a villain Iago had to trick and manipulate everyone to think of…

    • 289 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Probably, Iago's most potent weapon in helping him manipulate others is the fact that he is known as "honest Iago". All the main characters trust him and due to this he is able to give them advice, which they think might benefit them but rather is getting them caught in Iago's web. This occurs many times and one such moment is when Cassio thinks Iago is trying to aid him by telling him to "Confess yourself / freely to her", meaning that Cassio should ask Desdemona for help in restoring friendly relations between himself and Othello. Although what Iago intends to happen is very…

    • 1751 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Othello, Shakespeare tells the story of the soldier Othello, a noble and respected man, whose insecurities enable him to fall prey to the overwhelming power of jealousy. Through manipulation and lies, Othello changes from a kind and faithful husband into a man completely taken over by jealousy, resulting in his downfall. This shift in Othello’s character is done by the antagonist, Iago. Iago’s cruelty to not only Othello, but all others around him, reveals his villainous personality. Iago acts through selfish reasons alone, and stops at no lengths in order to get to what he wants. Through the character Iago, Shakespeare, in his play Othello, explores the concept of the evil nature of man and argues that one who is motivated purely by greed and the desire for power will ultimately face the consequences of his or her actions.…

    • 793 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics