Iago and the Literary Tradition of a Villain in William Shakespeare's Othello

Iago and the Literary Tradition of a Villain in William Shakespeare's Othello

In this essay, I am going to explain how Iago conforms to the literary

tradition of a villain.

Firstly, to answer this question, we must understand what exactly is

meant by the term 'villain'. The Collins Plain English Dictionary

states that a villain is someone who 'deliberately sets out to harm

other people.'

It is clear that Iago is clearly someone who has intentions of

destroying other people, whether they are his main targets or merely

pawns in his game.

Shakespeare himself created some of the most memorable villains of all

time. The list includes Iago (Othello), Richard III, Cornwall and

Edmund (King Lear), Aaron the Moor (Titus Andronicus) and Macbeth.

What all these characters share is their willingness to commit the

most heinous of crimes in order to acquire what they want.

With the exception of Macbeth, none of these characters seem to have a

conscience. Macbeth is the only one who shows the slightest hint of

remorse over the crimes he has committed. He has terrible nightmares,

illusions and eventually turns himself mad with worry over whether or

not he will be found out.

The rest of the characters are described as ruthless villains by

"about.com". Richard III, according to the website, is 'tyrannical and

morally vacuous.'

'In a play rife with heinous evildoers, Cornwall towers over them all.

Infinitely greedy and exceptionally cruel, he delights in gouging out

Gloucester's eyes.'

Aaron the Moor is accused of 'masterminding vile crimes and remaining

defiant to the end, 'If one good deed in all my life I did, I do

r...

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...y, someone with a

beautiful, loving wife and unquestionable respect from the people

around him - someone like Othello, the Moor.

In conclusion, it must be apparent to all that Iago is clearly a

villain and possibly a psychopath. His jealous tendencies towards

Othello led him to be consumed with hatred, and he spread that

detestation around to inflict others with it. Roderigo began hating

Cassio and Othello loathed Desdemona. I don't think Iago symbolises

evil, I think he is evil. Throughout the play, he exploits the other

characters racial prejudices and personal insecurities. He is able to

bring out the most unpleasant traits in human nature (especially

jealousy) and turn them to his advantage. In reading this play, we can

all see the tragic effects of what happens when we allow our emotions

to rule our actions.