Iago knows that the meeting behind Cassio and Desdemona is harmless but he still uses it to cause turmoil. He successfully assures Othello that his wife is having an affair. Iago ultimately causes the death and end to the marriage of Othello and Desdemona. He is so corrupted that he does not feel sympathy or guilt for his actions. His actions in some ways resemble a crazed man.
The Character of Iago In Othello, by William Shakespeare, one of the most intriguing characters is Iago. At first glance he seems to be pure evil, but I think his actions are much more complex. Through thought-out words and actions Iago is able to manipulate others to do things that benefit him and move him closer to his goals. This character is consumed with envy and deceit that leads to theft and killing. Iago is the main driving force in this play, pushing Othello and the other characters towards their tragic endings.
Iago's main interest is the destruction of Othello. The reason being that Othello has chosen another man, Cassio, as his second-in-command, preferring him to Iago. This resentment, accompanied by Iago's fabricated accusations of adultery and his blatant racism, cause Iago to despise Othello, and shortly thereafter, begin to conspire against him. Instead of just killing Othello, Iago proceeds to attack him emotionally. Iago begins to manipulate the people around him in order to hurt Othello and make him think that his wife, Desdimona, and Cassio are having an affair.
One can also elude from this warning that he will only let you see what he wants you to see. One can see that Iago is clearly going to lie to Roderigo by that single statement. The statement alone should shoot red flags up in anyone’s mind. Once Roderigo gets Brabantio out of bed; Iago says something strange to Roderigo, “Though I do hate him as I do hell, yet, for necessity of present life, I must show out a flag and sign of love”(I.i.171-173). Subsequently warning Roderigo about how he lies to people, Iago expects Roderigo to trust him.
Shakespeare’s play, Othello, tells the story of jealousy ruining a noble man’s life. Throughout the play, Iago fools Othello with multiple deceptions that eventually force Othello to think that his lover and wife Desdemona is cheating on him with another. The play exposes the downfall of Othello in stages of overwhelming rage and jealousy, he loses sanity in his own judgements and places virtually all of his faith in others. Instances of Othello’s nobility transformation can be represented in acts 1, 3, 5. Act 1, Othello, Othello is portrayed as a strong, loyal and noble leader in the first act after he proves himself to Brabantio that he is more than just a “black bull” savage and that he is a very well build together man with a noble heart
Throughout the play Iago is described as an "honest" man, which to the audience seems ironic because really everything the man says they know to be a lie. 2) Iago tries to convince Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Iago forms the plan that Cassio will be target. Cassio and Desdemona are friendly to each other and Iago can see how this could appear to be more than just friendship. Iago knows that this will outrage Othello and Cassio will want to redeem himself.
That she loves him” (2.1.309). Even though there is no clear proof that they are sleeping together, Iago will use his manipulation skills to make Othello believe so. The first step in his cruel plan is to get Cassio
Thinking that this is sound advice, Roderigo does just that. However, Iago is actually keeping the gifts that Roderigo plans to give Desdemona for himself. Eventually, Roderigo begins to catch on to the act and confronts Iago, but he falls right into Iago’s trap again when he tells him that killing Cassio will help him win over Desdemona. Roderigo is then lead to his death by the hands of "Honest Iago." Like Roderigo, Cassio also believes in "Honest Iago," for he thinks that Iago is only trying to help him.
William Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice is a play of great manipulation and jealousy. Iago is the antagonist character of the play Othello. Iago becomes irate and filled with jealousy when Othello names Michael Cassio as his lieutenant, because Iago believed he should have been the one promoted not Michael Cassio. By manipulating everyone around him, Iago portrays himself as an honest noble man whom can be trusted. Iago being known for the honest man he earns everyone’s trust and therefore learns their weakness for his ultimate plan of destruction.
Most of the asides are used by Iago, which creates dramatic irony. Iago announces he will “abuse Othello’s ear [by saying that Cassio] is too familiar with his wife” (1.3). This displays how Iago plans on using innocent Cassio to cause Othello’s downfall. The aside convinces the readers that Desdemona is innocent and that her infidelity was part of Iago’s scheme. Later, Iago declares that he will “set down the pegs that make this music” (2.1).