The Unscrupulous Iago of Shakespeare's Othello Essay

Iago plans to convince Othello that Cassio is too close to Desdemona. He will probably accomplish this by manipulating people and lying.

lying to his friend, and getting back at his enemy! Iago’s character has learned to use a high intensity of deception. Iago pretends to be this sweet innocent man, while in reality the audience knows his

     Iago told Othello that he would discuss Desdemona with Cassio, and that he would talk about the affair. Iago does not do this, and instead he talks about Bianca with Cassio, and Cassio laughs at things Iago says. Othello sees Cassio laughing and just assumes he is laughing at Desdemona, which in return upsets him very much. Iago used several tactics to set up Othello for deception in this case.

Iago is the most interesting character in Othello, by William Shakespeare. With his carefully thought out plans, he is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that helps him and moves him closer towards what in his mind is revenge against Othello. He is the main antagonist in this play, pushing Othello and everyone else towards their end. Iago manages to commit all seven deadly sins. He constantly uses his good reputation for dishonorable purposes. His talent for manipulating those around him makes him a powerful character.The author uses strong diction in order to describe Iago's deceitful actions .

Iago hatched up a plan to ruin Othello by pretending to be loyal as well as falsely portraying Othello’s wife to be false. As stated in Shakespeare’s play Othello, Iago stated in Act 1 Scene 3 that he planned to “ abuse Othello’s ear” that cassio is “ too familiar with his wife” which would allow him to frame Cassio and portray Desdemona to be false. This reveal that Iago has such hatred for Othello and interracial relationships that he would frame an innocent man and woman to ruin Othello. Cruel Iago used Desdemona’s handkerchief to falsely frame Cassio which would make it appear that Desdemona is committing adultery with Cassio. It would also appear to Othello as if Desdemona is committing adultery with Cassio because it is more natural and acceptable for her to be with someone of the same racial class and nature as her own. This would be evident in ruining Othello because of how much he cares for

Iago is the gateway to deception in Othello. It is through Iago that readers are able to see how deception can essentially ruin a relationship or those that are being deceived. One of first examples seen of Iago’s deception is seen in Act 1 Scene 3. While Iago is giving is first soliloquy he explains his plotting to ruin Othello and Desdemona’s marriage. Specifically, Iago says “After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear that he is too familiar with his wife… The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that bet seem to be so.” Here Iago says he plans on convincing Othello that Cassio is becoming too intimate with Desdemona. He believes that this will work because Cassio is a smooth and easy talker and also a good-looking guy. Iago continues to say that Othello is easily convinced because he thinks any man who seems honest must be honest.

Iago was manipulative and sadistic, fooling even his close friend Rodrigo in order to cause revenge to anyone that had done him wrong, including Othello, Desdemona, Emilia, Cassio, and Rodrigo. Iago was able to be a manipulating puppeteer because everyone saw him as an honest trustworthy man. Iago was believed to be a very trustworthy man because he had a deceiving tongue. Iago seeked revenge on Othello for many reasons, such as granting Cassio as lieutenant and because

Othello, not knowing that Cassio was in fact speaking with Desdemona in hopes of being reinstated as Lieutenant, mistakenly believes that the two are having an affair and that Desdemona has lost her chastity. Iago skillfully capitalizes on the situation by developing his attack further: "She did deceive her father, marrying you" (3.3.220). Othello begins to see Iago's reasoning: if she could deceive her father, she could just as easily deceive her new husband. Once Othello's bliss has been decimated, Iago concentrates on weakening Othello's perception of himself; Iago very carefully and very tactfully chooses words and metaphors that subconsciously pit Othello against the Venetians. Othello begins to perceive himself as an outsider in his own country, "a malignant and turbaned Turk" (5.2.365). A fruitful marriage with a Venetian woman becomes out of the question in Othello's mind. Iago's successful manipulation takes a self-confidant man and reduces him to one at ends with himself and with the woman he loved.

At first, Othello thought nothing of Cassio and Desdemona's relationship; however, Iago fabricated an affair between the two that caused Othello to distrust the pair. By falsifying conversations and stories about the couple's exploits, Iago convinced Othello that Cassio was romantically involved with his wife. This can be clearly seen in the first scene of Act IV. Cassio tells Iago of Bianca's love for him and even depicts her sexual advances. Hidden nearby, Othello believes Cassio is speaking of Desdemona. As if this wasn't enough to enrage Othello, Bianca enters and returns a handkerchief, accusing Cassio of receiving it from another woman. Othello instantly recognizes it as the one he gave to Desdemona. This maddens him with jealousy and he vows to kill Desdemona and Cassio. Due to his friendship with Desdemona, Cassio made two men so jealous that they both vowed to kill him. This jealousy is what allowed Iago's plan to come to fruition. Even though Cassio survived Roderigo's attack, Iago was able to convince both Roderigo and Othello to attempt murder because they were so jealous of

Iago is playing with Othello’s mind, suggesting there is more than meets the eye between his wife and Cassio. He continues with the mind games by reminding Othello “She did deceive her father, marrying you, and when she seemed to shake and fear your looks she loved them most” (Shakespeare 2957). Iago continues to incite doubt in Othello’s mind by suggesting Desdemona had proven her potential for deception and disloyalty when she deceived her father.

Iago sets into motion a set of events that gets Othello thinking about Desdemona’s loyalty, and if she has been unfaithful. It all starts with Cassio, Desdemona, and Emilia in the castle garden. Desdemona is talking to poor distraught Cassio about losing his job and falling into the bad graces of Othello. Desdemona promises to help Cassio, at almost any cost. Emilia alerts them to Othello and Iago’s presence, and Cassio runs away in shame. Othello thinks nothing of the encounter, but Iago insinuates that it was an odd thing that Cassio would run away like that. Listen to what Iago says to Othello, “Cassio, my Lord! No, sure, I cannot think of it, / That he would steal away so guilty-like, / Seeing you coming” (Shakespeare 42). Desdemona sees Othello and starts to plead a case for Cassio’s return. Desdemona pleads Cassio’s case so intently, that it arouses suspicions in Othello. Suspicions Iago has placed cleverly in Othello’s head. Much credit must be given to Iago's diabolical prowess, which enables him to bend and twist the supple minds of his friends, and loved ones.

Othello is a play written by William Shakespeare. In which Othello, the protagonist, is overcome by feelings of jealousy which is a common theme throughout the play. Jealousy can be very healthy. However, if out of control, it can lead to violence. It can take control of the mind.

Once Iago realized he was not given the position, he had plans of vengeance and started to target each character to fulfill his desire of retaliation. Although, this is a good reason to have anger towards Othello, Iago reveals his true nature by stating “he hates the Moor, for he has taken his office.” (1.3.429-433). He also suspects the “Moor” of being in his bed, even without proof, Iago goes based off suspicion. Iagos greatest attribute is manipulation; he was very well organized in how he plotted his evil ways. Iago

Iago is telling Roderigo that he can get revenge, and feel better about the fact that he did not get the job by manipulating Othello. Later, he explains to Roderigo that he is going to convince Othello that his wife is cheating on him with Cassio and if everyone knows Desdemona cheated on him, it would ruin his image in the eyes of the people. Not only, does Iago show that he is exploitive and uses people to get his way,

Iago is a master of gaining and losing people’s trust. Whenever he gets a grasp of trust from someone, he comes up with an evil plan to ruin that trust. He rather believe the rumors that he hears than the truth. Rumors were circling around that Othello had slept with his wife, Emilia, whom