Preview

Is Iago A Hero Or A Villain

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1171 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Is Iago A Hero Or A Villain
In the studies of Shakespeare, there are many ways to approach and analyze his plays, yet the most common ones are to dissect the characters’ purpose and engagement throughout a story. Shakespeare has created many well-known characters that may seem life-like to the audience and there are others that seem impossible to exist in reality. In most of Shakespeare’s plays, there is a hero and with a hero, there is usually a villain. Some audience members generally have a tendency to speculate great analytical views about the heroes of the play while villains are ignored and perceived to be even more evil. This may be true, but the portrayal of villainous characters does not mean that they were forced to become evil. The query is how a villain becomes …show more content…
This suggestion can be understood as resulting from his chief goal of deceiving Roderigo but also from his misogyny. It seems that Iago truly hates women because, despite using them to seek revenge on Cassio and Othello, he repeatedly expresses his disgust toward them. For example, when referring to his own wife, he says that: “She puts her tongue a little in her heart / And chides with thinking” (II.i.105-106). The ultimate display of Iago’s contempt toward women is when he leads Emilia’s and Desdemona’ husbands to murder them. For these reasons, Iago is definitely the only person to blame for Othello’s bloodbath; he manipulates many characters and transitions a comedic play to a tragic ending. In the end, Iago was too self-absorbed because, when he realized how easily he manipulated Othello and Cassio, he decided to wield other characters for his own benefit. Evidently, Iago demonstrates that, even when villains achieve their primary objectives, they destroy other character’s lives for the sake of their excessive ambition. This demonstrates how evil characters never triumph in the end because they lose the audience’s empathy and their lives as a consequence of pursuing excessively evil

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Iago's Cruelty

    • 409 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The concept of evil is so overplayed that it seems Iago’s actions are motiveless; he does not have a specific reason for desiring to bring down his fellow characters. As an audience, the readers cannot truly believe the justifications he gives along the play, due to his overwhelming deceptive tendencies. And when questioned, he replies with a tone that exposes nothing.…

    • 409 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Othello The Moor of Venice, Iago accomplishes his revenge by adopting logical, emotional, and ethical appeals to persuade others to do his work, such as when he manipulates Roderigo, blinded by his love for Desdemona and when he tricks Othello into thinking Desdemona cheated on him. Throughout the play, Iago expresses his hatred for Othello due to the fact he did not choose him for the lieutenant spot over Michael Cassio. He also suspects that Othello is having an affair with Emilia, Iago's wife.…

    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In many of the plays by William Shakespeare, the central character goes through internal and external changes that ultimately shake their foundations to the core. Numerous theories have been put forth to explain the sequence of tragedies Shakespeare wrote during this period by linking it to some experience of melancholy, anger, despair, and the antagonist 's ultimate fall from grace in their lust for power. But such theories overlook the fact that it is in this very same period and in the same tragic works that portray the heights to which human nature can rise and fall in its purest and noblest, if not happiest terms. Surely the creation of so much light alongside the darkness and the perfection of the artistic medium through which Shakespeare gives them expression argues against the idea that the greedy side of human nature is his chief concern. His efforts to portray human life in its rarest form and not only the dark depths, but also the treasure rooms of our being. He tries to pierce beneath the superficial motives and forces of surface behavior, social, and cultural expressions and to the deeper levels of individual character and human nature. Shakespeare then places these aspects of human existence in their true relation to the wider field of universal life. In relation to the tragic hero, there are many similarities between the tragic heroes in Macbeth and King Lear. However, the differences between the two outline the re-occurring themes in both plays. In Shakespeare 's plays the central characters ' own weaknesses and lust for power lead to corruption. The unchecked power in Shakespeare 's Macbeth and King Lear ultimately leads to corruption, tragedy, and the hero 's fall from grace.…

    • 1448 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
  • Good Essays

    Iago is a cruel and evil man who uses ways to ruin Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. Othello appointed Cassio, to be his lieutenant. Iago was mad when he heard about it, he believes that he should be the one for the position since he knows more. This started off with his jealousy of Cassio. When Othello and Desdemona got married without letting anyone knowing, Iago begins to plot his plan. He used Roderigo to help him throughout the process of his plan to bring down Cassio. He then told Othello lies to ruin his own relationship. He also use Bianca as his part of the plan. Iago got people into thinking he was a nice honest guy, but he uses other people's jealousy and gullibleness for his own benefit.…

    • 749 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago is not to blame for the deaths of Othello, Desdemona, Roderigo, and Emilia because there is no hard evidence that pins him to the crimes. Iago himself did not kill anyone himself so his hands are clean and it would be unjustly to put the blame on him. Not only did Iago not kill anybody but he did not forcly make somebody kill someone else, all Iago did was give his opinion say what he thought. Iago himself even said to his wife,”I told him what I thought, and told no more. That what he found himself was apt and true.” In this instant Iago is referring to Othello and the the death of Desdemona. Othello is the guilty one for strangling his wife because he acted on his accord and was forced by nobody to do so. The only thing that Iago is guilty of is caring for his friend too much…

    • 539 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is the most notorious villain. It is clear that Iago feels that other people’s lives that surround him are insignificant. He will use people as pawns signifying that he feels life is simply a game. Iago is very deceitful; he is capable of manipulating anyone who fits into his master plan. Considering Iago is such a phenomenal mastermind he can easily be compared to a director of a play this is because he finds any way possible to get exactly what he wants. Iago’s capacity for cruelty seems limitless. Although Iago never reveals his motives for manipulating and destroying the lives of people he appears to care about, he demonstrates acts of hidden insecurities, deep resentment towards people, and feelings which influences him to desire to ruin their lives.…

    • 1074 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago stands a typical Machiavellian antagonist of Shakespeare’s, however his motives for revenge are distinctly complex, with the line of envy and justified hatred indistinguishably blurred. His cunning scenarios and therefore his motives for such, stem from wounded pride in relation to Cassio’s promotion over his own, “One Michael Cassio… That never set a squadron in the field”, underlying suspicion over Othello and wife Emilia’s relationship “Till I am evened with him wife for wife”, and personal injustice, “Preferment goes by letter and affection”, expressing his disgust towards Othello’s favoritism of Cassio. Iago’s motivation for revenge upon Othello and Cassio is spurred by an egotistical and superior attitude; “Heaven is my judge” suggesting that he believes only God, a power recognized as the highest judgmental authority is worthy of judging his unjust actions. This superior attitude eventually contributes to his demise.…

    • 1063 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago plots to destroy the lives of others by interfering with relationships. “Tis here, but yet confused. / Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used” (II.i.305-306). Iago is plotting his evil plan to destroy the marriage between Othello and Desdemona. Iago infers that his plan is evil, and the evilness will shine through, once the evil acts are completed. This makes Iago evil because he is planning destruction. Iago’s goal is to devastate Othello’s life.…

    • 520 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago is seen, by other characters in the play as honest and trust worthy and is often referred to as “honest Iago.” Through dramatic irony it is revealed, to the audience, that Iago is in fact a cunning, evil and insidious character as he is “serving [Othello] to take advantage of him” for not promoting…

    • 441 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago In Othello

    • 1152 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Throughout Act I, Iago lists several reasons for his hatred and subsequent desire to ruin Othello, beginning with the fact that he wasn’t promoted to lieutenant while Cassio was, despite him having more experience. One Michael Cassio, a Florentine / (A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife), / That never set a squadron in the field / But he, sir, had th' election ... (1.1.20-27). It is then quickly suggested that Iago’s rage is infused by his jealousy of Othello, and his suspicions that he has slept with his wife, Emilia. This may be a stronger motive than the latter, as Iago directly states that he “hates the Moor”.…

    • 1152 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Iago's Exceptional Villain

    • 1499 Words
    • 6 Pages

    In stories, villains play a major part; they move the plot forward and without them, something feels missing. Among the ranks of villains, there are many different tiers of their abilities. There are the villains whose plots are easily foiled; whose minds are only focused on one thing and disregard anything else that could potentially be of use to them. Then there are villains whose plots are further meticulously planned, yet thwarted in the end. And finally, there are the villains who are perfect in every way. They are the ones who scheme and until the end of their nefarious acts, their position as the string puller is still unknown. Those villains are the perfect villains. Although he is an exceptional villain, Iago is not at the level of…

    • 1499 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago's true reasons for his hatred towards Othello are explained during a soliloquy in scene three. Iago proclaims, "... it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets / He has done my office: I know not if't be true; But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, / Will do as if for surety." (1.3.380-82). In this soliloquy Iago clearly states that he suspects Othello of sleeping with his wife, Emilia. While he has no proof of this encounter, he states that for "mere suspicion" he will continue as if it was undoubtedly true (1.3.382). Here, in this line, the reader can see Iago's compulsive nature and can infer that although his master plan is throughly thought through, the consequences of his actions are not. In this instance Iago's character can be compared to Othello as almost a foil. While Iago is quick to action, and has no sympathy for the reputation of others, Othello demands proof before condemning someone from such serious accusations. Although eventually Othello allows himself to be deceived by Iago, he truly believes he has witnessed concrete evidence before he turns against his own wife.…

    • 1235 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello's Jealousy

    • 937 Words
    • 4 Pages

    It is Iago's goal, seemingly, to transform the perception of almost every character in the play--from Cassio to Roderigo--to the opposite of what it had been. Even Desdemona shall not escape his injury, "If [Desdemona] be black, and thereto have a wit,/She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit." (II.i.130-1) Desdemona acknowledges the paradoxes in Iago's words, yet still she is unable to prevent these from becoming the paradox of her life. The universal effect of Iago's actions furthers the level of sympathy Othello receives in the text. He is not the only one; they are all victims. In this way, Othello's decline cannot be held up to him because they have all made wine of Iago's dishonest juices. Iago's lures Othello beyond judgment, "I [will] put the Moor/At least into a jealousy so strong/That judgment cannot cure . . . /[And m]ake the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me/For making him egregiously an ass/. . .practicing upon his peace and quiet/ Even to madness." (II.i.300-310) This is Iago's formula. In the face of such, there can only be sympathy for the simple, good 'other' Othello is in the process of…

    • 937 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Thought and Iago

    • 392 Words
    • 1 Page

    Sometimes there are people who are so evil and deceitful one can just feel dirty. Listening to them talk, hearing their words, and seeing their actions just makes one’s skin crawl. During the reading and the viewing of Othello it doesn’t take long to get this feeling about Iago. He is such manipulative, self-serving, and dishonest person; making it obvious he would be a man with a personality disorder. A narcissist is one who is only concerned about one’s self, manipulative, and will use anyone to get what they want. There is no doubt that Iago is the destructive villain in this play. Without Iago’s horrible traits and conniving actions this play would be very boring. He has been considered one of the most villainous characters of all time. Being around a person this evil is very frightening, they are able to accomplish so much with their manipulation.…

    • 392 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays