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The Honest Traitor In Othello

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The Honest Traitor

The play Othello by William Shakespeare narrates the tragedy of Othello and his wife, Desdemona’s relationship as well as the story of a jealous man who revenges on his commander. Iago, this envious man, creates a well-crafted plot to destroy his commander, Othello, and his wife’s marriage. With both the help of his clever manipulation as he uses people’s character traits against them and many coincidental events that contribute to the completion of his plan, Iago is able to deceive Othello into believing Desdemona’s adultery but stay true to himself as he often speaks freely of his views. As he carries out his scheme, Iago demonstrates a paradox as an honest traitor as he betrays his commander but speaks truthfully to himself and others at most times. At the beginning of the play, Iago openly confesses to Roderigo and reassures himself about his false appearance as well as his complete detached devotion to Othello; he also shows …show more content…

Similar to where he demonstrates his honestly, at the beginning of the play, Iago reveals his complex identity by saying, “I am not what I am” (1.1.71). After explaining his actual intentions, Iago quickly unveils his paradox as his words contradict each other. Although truthfully, Iago admits his unfaithfulness, his language about his unreal self also reveals his deceitful character. Iago’s words convey that he will not be showing his truthful side to Othello. Furthermore, Iago often secretly describes to himself the progress he makes at different stages of the plot. For example, after Iago suggests Othello of Desdemona’s wrongdoing, he cunningly claims, “[The Moor already changes with my poison;]/ Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons,/ Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,/But with a little act upon the blood/ Burn like the mines of sulfur”

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