In this play there is no time wasted introducing the real characteristics of Iago. We see his self-serving anger issues from the beginning. Iago is quick to mention his hatred for Othello (1.3.365). Iago’s ego has been hurt by Othello claiming Cassio as his lieutenant and passing up Iago. Iago feels that he has way more experience in battle than Cassio and just pretends to serve Othello until he can get his revenge (1.1.10-40). Iago mentions later that Othello slept with his wife, Emilia: “And it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets he’s done my office” (1.3.366-367). Roderigo is the first person to fall to his deceitful ways. Iago’s craftiness get Rodergio to trust him with his with his money; Rodergio says, “That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were mine…”. Iago states, “Put money in thy purse” (1.3.328) so that he might be able to win Desdemona’s love with gifts Iago will buy her. But the dishonest plan is here because he plans on keeping that money for himself.
It is amazing to watch how quick and smart Iago can be with the other characters. He is able to quickly take a situation and find a way to use others as pawns to work his plan out. He is words and actions are so manipulative putting thoughts in others heads in order for them to assist him in his master plan.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
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 -
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 -
the characters that show it most. Iago manages to create scenes within scenes. He sets up…
- 683 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
In the play ,Iago comes off as a diabolical character who sets everyone's lives on fire .However, his motives are often questioned as they seem relatively vague in the play.Throughout the play he cites various reasons to hate Othello.Firstly, he is upset by the fact that Iago chose Cassio over him and promoted Cassio.He feels that he was the perfect candidate for Cassio's position and feels insulted by Othello's choice.He confesses this to Roderigo in the following lines:…
- 1897 Words
- 8 Pages
Good Essays -
Iago is not your ordinary villain. The role he plays is rather unique and complex, far from what one might expect. Iago is smart. He is an expert judge of people and their characters and uses this to his advantage. For example, he knows Roderigo is in love with Desdemona and figures that he would do anything to have her as his own. Iago says about Roderigo, "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse." [Act I, Scene III, Line 426] By playing on his hopes, Iago is able to swindle money and jewels from Roderigo, making himself a substantial profit, while using Roderigo to forward his other goals. He also thinks quickly on his feet and is able to improvise whenever something unexpected occurs. When Cassio takes hold of Desdemona's hand before the arrival of the Moor Othello, Iago says, "With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio." [Act II, Scene I, Line 183] His cunning and craftiness make him a truly dastardly villain indeed.…
- 1009 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Power, its distribution and shifts of power are implicitly explored through Iago, his motivations and his characteristics. When discussing the promotion Iago did not receive, Iago claims that ‘he knows his price’ and that ‘he is no worse a place’. While this could be dismissed as an overreaction to not receiving a position, it must be taken into context. Iago is 28 years old and by considering the nature of the Elizabethan times, it is possible that Iago had been a soldier for…
- 437 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Iago is man driven by his own motives throughout the entire play, manipulating others to do…
- 594 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Aside from being dishonest, Iago is also a character who is completely immoral and uses other’s weakness to manipulate them into doing what he wants. From the very beginning Iago takes advantage of Roderigo’s ignorance to help himself. In Iago’s soliloquy after telling Roderigo to, “put money in thy purse” he states,…
- 1078 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The main characteristic found in all psychopaths is that of false affection and superficial charm. This allows them to befriend and gain the trust of powerful people who they use to further their own ends. Iago is no different, he uses his undeniable skill with words to influence and worm himself in with Othello and rope in Rodrigo for his own ends by playing on his fantasies. Iago in Act III, Scene III pg. 106 in his attempts to influence Othello of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness “I humbly do beseech you of your pardon, For too much loving you” this sheen of affection and dogged loyalty that Iago puts on until the very end convinces Othello that the only thing that subservient Iago could possibly think of is him. It is amusing how that the one person whose Iago’s affectionate mask seems to have no effect on is his own wife Emilia. She seems to regard their marriage as a necessary part of society by the way she talks of his disloyalties and in the end breaks his web of trickery and deception.…
- 982 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
In William Shakespeare's "Othello", the character Iago is, at least in my point of view, the main and most interesting character. Iago is in virtually every scene in the play, and has his hands in almost all doings within the play. Iago is truly one of the greatest villans in literature. Iago is viewed by all in the play, with the possible exception of his wife, as an honest and trust worthy man, which could not be farther from the truth. Iago plays all the characters in the play like puppets. He plays Cassio into a confession of his dealings with Bianca to make it look like he is speaking about Desdamona, and into planting the handkerchief onto Cassio without making himself look suspicious. Iago also plays Roderigo into giving him money and leaving the picture so Iago can do his work.…
- 558 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Iago craves getting revenge and taking what he believes is rightfully his and will do anything he has to in order to achieve those goals. Iago wants to take “revenge/ For that I do suspect the lusty Moor/ Hath leap’d into my seat” (2.2 283-85) not because he wishes to cause chaos. He also seeks to take the lieutenant spot away from Cassio because he’s proven himself to be a strong soldier in battle, but he’s achievements have been “lee’d and calm’d/ By debitor and creditor; this counter-caster” (1.1 30-31). Iago’s poor self-esteem leaves him jealous of Othello’s achievements and Cassio’s looks and status, while also leaving him very doubtful and ungrateful for the things he does have. He suspects that his wife has cheated on him without any actual proof and treats her with an aloof behavior, while Othello and Desdemona have a very happy and loving marriage. In comparison to Cassio, Iago is not seen as very good looking or much of a scholar. Iago performs all of his deeds to satisfy his jealousy and self-esteem because he’s surrounded by people who are far more accomplished than he…
- 933 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Iago’s character is not completely wrong in his view of society, it is just that he has become an extremist in his point of view that leads to a burning hatred for the world and especially Othello. Through his extreme beliefs his nature has been molded to seek power and achieve it by any means necessary. Iago is made to be a reprehensible villain but through his acts of treachery he exhibits the most poetic and polished gift of language. Iago’s conspiring behavior is not completely understood but several possible motivators are implied as reasons for his…
- 1148 Words
- 5 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Iago is presented as one of the most striking characters in this tragic play and from the beginning of the play; we realize that Iago is the essence of viciousness. As we can see in act 1 scene 3, Iago expresses his feelings towards Othello by telling Rodrigo: "I hate the Moor. My cause is hearted. Thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him". However, the motivation behind Iago's actions lies more in his pursuit for personal advantage, as opposed to just being evil for evil's sake. Iago's greediness can be validated by examining his manipulation of Roderigo, Cassio and Othello. Iago's main concern is to ruin Othello because Othello has chosen another man, Cassio, as his deputy, preferring him to Iago. This hatred suits Iago's made-up accusations of adultery and his obvious racism, and cause him to hate Othello, and shortly after, begin to contrive against him.…
- 279 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
From the first scene, Iago reveals his amoral and egoistic nature. I believe that whenever Iago feels that his masculinity is being attacked, he chooses to manipulate the perceived…
- 586 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Iago is one of the most interesting characters in Othello. He is full of jealousy, greed, selfishness, and hatred. At first, it seems Iago is only jealous of Othello because he has chosen Cassio for lieutenant instead of Iago. When it is revealed Iago is developing a plot in order to take down Othello, a shift in Iago’s character is seen. He is not only jealous, but he acts on his jealousy, making him appear crueler than when first introduced. As Iago explains, “The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by th' nose as asses are. I have ’t. It is engendered! Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light” (I.iii.336-341). Iago notices Othello’s character and acts on his weaknesses, showing both his cruelty and intelligence. Iago deceives Othello, who trusts him the most throughout the story, often referring to Iago as “honest Iago” (I.iii.294). Shakespeare uses irony continuously throughout the play when it comes to Iago. One of the most ironic parts of the play is the fact Othello puts great trust into Iago, who lies…
- 793 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays