The declared villains in both Shakespeare plays are Edmund, King Lear, and Iago, Othello. Although they pretend to be adjusted to the cultural framework of their present environment, they are bearing evil ideas and plans in their minds and systematically set up targets that they fulfill step by step. These two very intelligent gentlemen show very similar attributes in their evil plots, and let nothing get in their way.
             Both characters see themselves as outsiders to society. Although they are well integrated and accepted by respected characters, they do not get rid of their negative motifs such as revenge, hate, greed, and envy; these are the pieces of wood in the fire of turmoil they cause. Edmund and Iago are dangerous to the stable community because their real emotions, ideas and plans are disguised, hidden within their heads and only verbally expressed when they are alone. The villains share their most intimate thoughts and analytic views with us, the audience. They justify their evil deeds against innocent characters by their negative attitude. The most deceiving way that these character achieve their role in the story is by making the victims of their evil plans believe that they are the only ones that they can trust. I feel this is how these two characters show their intelligent, yet devilish personalities; both know the weaknesses and flaws of their victims and thus try to gain power over them.
             A Look at Shakespeare's Edmund In King Lear, the villainous but intelligent character, with more than a brief examination into his personality, has understandable motivations outside of the base purposes with which he might at first be credited. Edmund interprets his educational exile outside the familiar boundaries as an exclusion from the warm family nest that Edgar had the privilege to stay. Edmund realizes his discrimination because he is a bastard son. Edmund is a character worthy of study, as he seems to be the most socia...