The Controversial Character Of Iago In Shakespeare's Othello

Shakespeare’s character of Iago in the play Othello is a controversial character which is often criticised. Shakespeare uses the character of Iago, to open up the possibility of having such varied characteristics on such a complex character. Iago in seen as being manipulative, having qualities of being a psychopath and above all a jealous character. These characteristics used by Shakespeare in Iago makes readers see Iago as having a cynical malice personality with no care for anyone else but himself. It is through Iago nature that we see how much of a cynical and personality he has.

Shakespeare expresses Iago as being such a complex character with many characteristics, one of which being manipulative. Iago puts on an act which makes the characters

Everything done by Iago is due to his jealous state of well-being. As readers we can see his true jealous state from the beginning. One of the main things Iago is jealous about is the character of Othello. Iago shows a disliking to Othello, putting an act on while around him to hide it. Iago is jealous that Othello has everything- a high rank in the army, a wife and possession of Emilia. Iago believes that the Moor has stolen Emilia from him. Iago expresses his hatred towards the Moor quite blatantly, “I hate the Moor, And it is though abroad, that ‘twixt my sheets. ‘Has done my office.” Iago quite openly states his hatred and his belief that Othello has had Emilia in between the sheets. However, also in his jealous state he too acknowledges, “I know not if’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety,” that even if what he has heard is a rumour he will still believe it is true unless he sees otherwise. Iago carries the trait of jealousy quite heavily. You can see that even though he is aware that it may not be true, that it may just be a rumour, he is still going to do something about it. Iago is in a constant jealous fit that he’ll never act with patience and thought. Everything he does is to do with what will benefit him better and what will benefit hi in the long run. When he believed that Othello and Emilia had an affair, he immediately began scheming in ways to

Although Iago takes pleasure in watching others suffer underneath him, he has characteristics which lead him to be this way. Iago’s jealous state, manipulation and psychopath qualities take over his rational well-being leading to tormenting ways and his overall need to seek power and control in his