Essay On Iago's Downfall Of Othello

Playing a key role in Othello’s demise was one of his subordinates, Iago, whose talent for understanding and manipulating the desires of those around him made him both a powerful and a compelling figure. Stating, “I hate the Moor” (Act 1, Scene 3, 367-368), Iago shows that he is ripe with anger. Motivated by what he sees as Othello’s passing him over for a promotion, along with feelings of jealousy and lust, Iago formulates a plan to reap his revenge for what he believes are the wrongs Othello has committed against him; a decision that ends both of their lives. It is clear that Iago detests Othello simply because he has attained the life he could never have; something he is willing to do whatever it takes to destroy him for.

Showing his true objective, Iago talks of how the simple fact there is a rumor Othello has slept with his wife is enough for him to seek to destroy him. And in hopes of using Othello’s openness and naiveté to manipulate him, Iago conspires with himself to convince Othello that his lieutenant, Cassio, who is good looking and well-spoken, “is too familiar with his wife” (Act 1, Scene 3, 397), Desdemona. Iago convinces himself that with Othello’s fondness of him and a little help from the devil himself the

If all goes as planned, Desdemona will then attempt to convince Othello to forgive and forget Cassio’s drunken behavior, which will assuredly convince him of their infidelity and destroy her credibility with him. He then compares his actions to that of what would be expected from Satan, and shows how far he is willing to go towards acting out his revenge; telling of how even devils put on heavenly faces before committing their biggest sins. “When devils will the blackest sins put on, they do suggest at first with heavenly shows, as I do now” (Act 3, Scene 1,