Iago, The Villain In Shakespeare's Othello

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. It is unclear where Iago gets his motivation to mess with the other characters comes from. At first he feels as if he needs to get even with Othello. He says, “wife for wife” (II.i.286), which indicates that he wants to get even for Othello for cheating with his wife. Iago wants to get even for this but he has no evidence for it even happening, and he basically made it up. Early on in the play it is made clear that Iago has a large capacity for hatred, “I hate the Moor” (I.iii.429). Nothing makes it clear why Iago has such a deep hatred for Othello, but it is quite clear that Iago wants to get revenge on any other character possible. Iago’s character loves the damage that he creates from this revenge. Iago’s character also has a lack of self understanding. Although he …show more content…

Many of the characters are under the impression that “Honest Iago” (I.iii.294) is a loyal character. It seems as if Shakespeare goes out of his way with this example of dramatic irony to show the how evil Iago’s character really is. Although Iago does not outright lie to anyone in acts I and II, he is not even close to as honest and loyal as the other characters think he is. Iago proves his lack of loyalty when he says, "O, you are...As honest as I am" (II.i.199-201). Shakespeare uses the other characters cluelessness to reveal the true traits of disloyal