Iago Is A Villain

In the prelude of the play Iago makes it known to others that he loathes Othello. Going out of his way to make known his hate for Othello, is why Iago is characterized as a villain. This brings a sense of plot in the story since without Iago there would be no conflict.

Iago, the villain in Shakespeare’s Othello, is a character that builds up anger throughout the play. As the play continues, Iago seeks to destroy all those in his path. However, it is not clear what motivates Iago to go as far as he does. When he has destroyed Cassio’s reputation he could have secured his partnership with Othello and lived on happily. Instead of being happy to take Cassio’s position, Iago wants to mess up Othello’s life by tricking him into thinking Desdemona has cheated on him. This random desire to destroy others’ lives is a huge part of Iago’s character.

In the story of Othello we see how the actions of one man go on to ruin the lives of multiple people. The villain Iago single-handedly creates the tragedy of Othello through his puppeteer like control of the other characters in the play. Iago captivates the audience as his plan progresses. Readers are anxious to know what will happen next in the play. What makes Iago so fascinating is his mysteriousness as a character, his fully devious ways, and how magnificently clever he is in organizing the demise of Othello.

Iago as a Satan Figure in Othello The play "Othello" by William Shakespeare is based on an Italian story in Giraldi Cinthio's Hecatommithi (Groliers). In "Othello" we encounter Iago, one of Shakespeare's most evil characters.   Iago is an ensign in Othello's army and is jealous of Cassio's promotion to Lieutenant. Through deception and appearance, we see unfolded a plethora of lies and clever schemes.

Iago does not only serve as the antagonist in this play, but he also is the vehicle by which the play progresses. They play in the beginning did not have much action in it because Iago was still deciding as to how he would kill Othello. Then, as his plan develops the play also progresses. He forces characters into taking actions they never would have normally considered and all the while he just sits back and maintains his innocent smile and trusting façade. And that "is how a villain is defined." A villain "can alter those actions around them without them knowing it." (Campbell 116). We saw Iago do that on several occasions. For example he was able to convince Roderigo to give him money and to try growing a beard. He also convinced Othello into thinking that Casio was an irresponsible drunk, and he convinced Desdemona into thinking he was going to do everything he could to patch things up with her and Othello. While all he was actually doing was just trying to keep Roderigo busy so he would stay out of the picture. And then with Othello he was turning friend against friend, and with Desdemona it was lover against lover. And all the while these people thought he had their best interest in mind.

The classic antagonist in every story seeks to see the fruition of their devious plan, and would most likely be successful without the direct opposition of the protagonist. However, in Othello, rather than working against Othello, Iago gives an illusion of working with him in order to gain an advantage in the construction of his plot. Acting as a playwright within the play, Iago pushes and prods characters into the position that is most favorable to his final plan, which ultimately is to bring down Othello. In Iago, Shakespeare presents a villain who is not only able to construct elaborate schemes, but one who is also clever enough to disguise them with a façade that allows him to manipulate others.

The Character of Iago from Othello The character of Iago is crucial for the play, and its essence has often been presented as ‘the evil taking a human form.’ What is important to any attempt to understand this play is the mechanism that makes the action moving forward. If this is ‘the force of evil’, represented in the character of Iago, this gives him the most relevant role, the power to forward the entire course of the play in certain direction. A number of fortunate circumstances helps his plot, and even in the most dangerous moments everything seems to fit his plans. From the beginning the readers (or the audience) are fascinated by this character of ‘a villain’ ; they are, in some way, participating in his plot, being the only spectators of his famous soliloquies in which he reveals (if he ever does) his true face, or at least, the bitter content of his thoughts.

In Shakespeare’s play Othello, Iago is the character that causes most of the problems in the play, and can be classified as the villain of the story. Iago is a character that is very jealous of Cassio and Othello because they hold positions that he believes he should have. He also believes that his wife has cheated on him with Othello. “Iago represents evil and cruelty for its own sake. He is deeply unpleasant and this is revealed to the audience in no uncertain terms in his numerous asides.” (Jameson) Iago is a character who acts different depending on what people he is around, obviously he is not going to say some of the same things when Othello or Cassio are around as he does when they are not there. “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe.”(1.1.91-92) Iago was very manipulative throughout the course of the play, and often got what he wanted by being this way. “Iago is consumed with envy and plots to steal the position he feels he most justly deserves. Iago deceives, steals, and kills to gain that position.” (Jarret) Iago is a classical type of villain that is the root of all probl...

Iago is Othello's ensign, and the main villain of the play. He hoped to be promoted to the position of lieutament, but Othello chose Cassio over him. To get revenge, he brings forth a plot to convince Othello that Cassio and Desdemona, are having an affair. Iago is truly evil, and cares only about himself.

In the play, Othello, written by William Shakespeare Iago is one of the most unique and interesting characters. Not only is Iago a main character, but he is also one of the most controversial, causing more drama and quarrels than any other character in the play. Shakespeare does a good job with the character of Iago by creating an atmosphere where Iago can keep the reader's attention on each and every individual scene throughout the entire play, as one tries to figure out Iago's true intentions. When reading the play it is easy for an individual to view Iago as an evil person who gets pleasure from malicious acts he inflicts upon others around him.