Rachel Igoe
Mr. George
English Honors
2 December 2010
Iago As One Of The Greatest Villains In Shakespeare
A villain is an antagonist who is involved in crime and is able to manipulate the people through words. Of all the characters existing in Shakespeare’s literature Iago is the most villainous. He is considered one of the greatest profligates because he has no valid reasons for the chaos he causes between Othello and Desdemona. Without Iago, Othello’s jealousy would have never weakened his confidence. Iago is indirectly responsible for the deaths of Othello, Desdemona and Roderigo. Every act in Othello contains an evil plot set up by Iago. It is ironic because throughout the play he is known as “Honest Iago”(II.iii.355). The readers are the only spectators that understand Iago’s true feelings. Each character believes that he is a trustworthy and noble man, but they are unaware of his thoughts and schemes. He uses his supposed loyalty as a wedge to cause Othello’s downfall. Iago is so iniquitous because he takes advantage of people; he lies while making himself look admirable and he is able to manipulate characters through his words and actions.
One characteristic that Iago exhibits that makes him so malicious is his ability to take advantage of innocent people. Roderigo is one character specifically that Iago is able utilize for his own purposes. Iago is conscious that Roderigo is foolish enough to believe what he is told. In Iago’s soliloquy he says, “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse” (I.iii.426). By playing on his hopes, Iago is able to make himself a profit while using Roderigo to forward his goals. Iago is quick to recognize the advantages of trust and uses it as a tool for his own aspirations. Roderigo blindly follows Iago and even when he questions he still takes his advice and do what he is commanded. “I have no great devotion to the deed, / And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons” (VI.i.9-10). Although Roderigo does not desire to kill Cassio, Iago gives him a valid incentive, which shows how he takes advantage of him. Iago did not want to be the one to kill Cassio so he thought he could trick Roderigo into doing his job. Taking advantage of a person is a villainous act because a person builds up enough trust to have it eventually betrayed.
Not only does Iago take advantage of Roderigo he takes advantage of Othello as well. Othello trusts Iago because he believes he is an honest man, hence why he calls him “Honest Iago” (II.iii.355). Although Iago serves Othello and appears to be companions with him he claims that he truly despises him because he was not chosen as his lieutenant. “I have / told thee often, and I retell thee again and again, I hate the Moor” (I.iii.407-408). Since Othello is unaware of his hated he easily falls into Iago’s plot because he believes everything that Iago is telling him. Iago even says to Roderigo, “O, Sir, content you. / I follow him to serve my turn upon him. / We cannot all be masters, nor all masters / Cannot be truly followed” (I.i.44-47). He clearly states that he is serving under Othello to take advantage of him. Iago believes that by taking advantage of Othello he will be able to acquire the position as lieutenant. Iago is able to take advantage of each character through his lies.
Iago can also be considered the most villainous person because he continuously lies, but makes himself look venerable at the same time. By doing this he appears as sincere and reliable to the other characters, but he is truly deceiving. Iago incessantly lies to Othello about Desdemona having an affair with Cassio. He purposely uses Cassio because he wants to show Othello how noble he is by making Cassio look deficient. It is effortless for Iago to lie to Othello because Othello holds Iago to be a close friend and advisor. One instance where Iago lies to Othello is when he says, “Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; / Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure” (III.iii.228-229). As Iago lies to Othello about how Cassio is sleeping with Desdemona, he makes himself appear loyal and concerned for Othello’s well being. Lying is a villainous act that Iago resorts to because it can have unintended consequences and be hurtful when the truth is exposed. By lying Iago is able to manipulate others and have them unknowingly follow is conspiracy.
Through words and actions Iago is capable of manipulating his own wife, Emilia. Iago uses Emilia as part of his plot. Emilia is has a vital role in Iago’s plan because he has her take Desdemona’s handkerchief so that he can leave it in Cassio’s house. “My wayward husband hath a hundred times / Wooed me to steal it” (III.iii.336-337). Iago consistently convinces his wife to steal Desdemona’s belongings without giving any explanation. Since he manipulates his own wife it portrays how evil he really is because he does not actually care for her he only uses her. Emilia does not even question Iago about the handkerchief she only does what she is told because she does not want to displease him. Emilia is only one of the numerous characters that Iago is able to manipulate.
Othello is another major character that Iago is able to manipulate. With his words he can make Othello believe that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio without any concrete proof. Iago willingly destroys the relationship between Othello and without the slightest feeling of guilt. Iago lures Othello into his plan when he says, “ She did deceive her father, marrying you, / And when she seemed to shake and fear your looks, / She loved them most” (III.iii.238-240). Iago’s manipulative words it all what Othello needs to hear to believe that Desdemona is cheating on him. “As to be bold with you, / Not to affect many proposed matches / Of her own clime, complexion, and degree” (III.iii.268-270). Iago tells Othello that Desdemona is not who he thinks she is. Iago persuades Othello into believing the Desdemona is unfaithful, even though she is the most innocent character throughout the play. Iago manipulates Othello with his words because without any ocular evidence Othello is still able to believe him. Iago can be considered as a villain by manipulation because he uses it to benefit himself and he does not have sympathy for who he is hurting.
Iago’s character in Shakespeare’s play, Othello is one of the greatest villains in literature. His deceit and manipulation of Othello ultimately cause the death of three innocent characters Desdemona, Othello and Roderigo. Iago deceivingly takes advantage of people; he lies while making himself look highly regarded and manipulates people that will bring him closer to his goals. In the end of the play the characters are finally able to realize that “Honest Iago”(II.iii.355) is not as honest as he presented himself to be and he proves himself to be the most villainous character in the play.
