In Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago deceives others, mainly Othello and Roderigo, due to his desire for revenge, an improved reputation, and power. Throughout the play, Iago uses his desire for revenge to deceive others, like Othello. Iago’s desire for revenge shows when he states, “For “Certes,” says he, / “I have already chose my officer.”/ And what was he?/ Forsooth, a great arithmetician, / One Michael Cassio, a Florentine” (1.1.17-21). Othello’s choice reveals Iago’s jealousy of Cassio earning the position which fuels Iago’s desire for revenge on not only Othello, but also on Cassio. Another time Iago deceives someone to build up his plan is when he tells Roderigo, “When she is sated with his/ body she will find the errors of
Jealousy and envy are not only two very powerful emotions but can also be seen as two influential forces that can dictate the actions of an individual. These emotions assist in igniting and fanning the fire that motivates people to seek out their desires. In the Shakespearean tragedy, Othello written by William Shakespeare, Iago utilizes his emotions of jealousy and envy as a catalyst to commence his plan of achieving the highest level of military and political influence while also destroying Othello’s social reputation. The development of the character, Iago throughout the play, happens very seamlessly and in a very gradual fashion, with the help of the writing and rhetorical strategies of bestial imagery, dramatic irony, and pathos. Furthermore,
When Iago is trying to get Cassio fired, he goes to Othello and tries to convince him that Cassio is notorious for drinking too much. He takes the approach that he is a good friend of Cassio’s but feels it his duty to inform Othello of this issue. Because of Iago’s outstanding reputation, Othello believes that this is simply a caring and considerate gesture on Iago’s part. Othello reassures to him, “I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio” (Shakespeare, II, iii, 225-226). Iago acts as though it is hard to hurt his friend Cassio like this when in reality, it is exactly what he intended to happen.
This was the beginning of Iago's anger and frustration and begins to plot against Othello. Iago was able to convince Roderigo how much he hated Othello by calling him names like "Moor", Iago also say's " I follow him to serve my turn upon him./ We cannot all be masters/ nor all masters cannot be truly followed (1. 2. 45. 9), these simple words indicate how Iago truly feels about Othello.
Lastly, devil and hell imagery are used, revealing Iago’s evil nature, hoping for the destruction of others for his own self-interest. Iago calls on the devil and talks about monsters several times throughout the play. One instance being after he had concocted a plan to make Othello jealous with Cassio, saying “... Hell and night / Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light” (1.3.340–41). Iago calls upon the forces of evil, being Hell and night, to help him carry out his plan. While he knows that his actions are immoral, he embraces it fully by calling for evil forces to help in his plans to destroy Othello’s life.
To Othello, Iago is more reputable now causing Iago is, at this point, reputable, meaning Othello will to believe anything that Iago says even if it is a lie. Iago’s psychopathic manipulations of Cassio then ultimately cause his downfall once Othello discovers that Iago has been dishonest, his punishment of torture and imprisonment at the end of the play is his downfall. Iago’s Throughout the play, since Iago is trustworthy to Othello, Iago plants seeds of jealousy in Othello’s mind. In Act Five, scene two, Othello shows the audience how he believes that Iago is “most honest” (Shakespeare 1302). After he kills Desdemona, Othello explains his reasoning to Iago’s wife, Emilia, justifying that “Cassio did top her, ask thy husband else” (Shakespeare 1360), meaning that he killed his wife because according to Iago, Cassio and
Throughout the play, he would often talk about Iago in the same manner as in Act 2, scene 2, “a man he is of honesty and trust”( II,ii. 323-324). Given that Othello trusted who he thought was his best friend, it was easier for Iago to bring Othello down. The root of Iago’s evil intentions is jealousy, which he describes to be like a “green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (III,iii. 196-197).
Iago who is known for always being true and honest towards others has easily earned the trust of everyone around him, thus giving himself an advantage on his schemes. Among some of the crucial characters who were targeted by Iago’s manipulative plans are Othello, Cassio, and Rodrigo. Due to everyone trusting in him he is able to know their feebleness and specifically their personalities. Each of these male characters have different personalities and knowing them can be useful to Iago in his hope of completely fooling them in thus ruining their names and making everyone turn on each other. Othello who has always
Iago Iago, the triumphant villain within Othello is a perplexing character, his true intentions are buried deep in deception and deviance that help create who he is. The heinous goals he sets out to achieve are unfathomable, yet without his presence Othello would be nothing more than a romantic drama. Iago is the villain we love to hate; he is the sole instigator of the tragic events that take place within Othello. And yet still Iago is one of the most complex characters within Shakespearean tragedy. In order for Othello to be as effective as it is, the depiction of Iago as the perfect example of evil itself was essential, and is accomplished with his particular characteristic traits.
That you shall surely find him, lead to the Sagittary the raised search; and there will I be with him.” - Iago, Act 1, Scene 1 This really shows Iago’s hate for Othello. He is saying that he is only going to fake being on his side but he actually hates him. He is going to pretend to love him and show his love as a sign - but that’s all it will ever be. This is significant because I have a feeling that this hatred for Othello is going to continue on throughout the entire rest of the play, so we need to be introduced to this emotion in the very beginning. This quote is only one of many quotes that expresses Iago’s true feelings about Othello.