Iago: More Than Just a Villain

             Iago, the villain of Shakespeare's "Othello," is more than just a villain; in many ways, he is the most intelligent and appealing character in the play. Iago shows superiority over the rest of the characters in the play. He has the ability to manipulate the characters in the play, therefore controlling the play with every sequence of events. His intelligence shines through his ability to deceive, his ability to strategize, and his ability to twist the truth. Iago is appealing to the characters of the pay because he gives them what they want. Iago is appealing to the reader as well. His character is totally unconflicted about being evil, making him known to some authors as the villain of all villains. Iago is, in many ways, the most intelligent and appealing character in the play.
             Iago has a sophisticated way of deceiving the characters of the play, making him a very intelligent person. Early in the play, Othello introduces Iago to the Duke of Venice as, "My ancient A man he is of honesty and trust" (iii. 284-85). This is but one of the times in the play that Iago is referred to as honest and true. Throughout the play Iago is considered to be honest but is actuality the villain. In order to maintain this false image one has to have a beguiling character. After Othello and his lieutenant, Michael Cassio, return from the war against the Ottomans, there is a celebration. At this celebration, Iago puts his manipulation to work. He knows that Othello and Desdemona's love for each other is very true, but he tells Rodrigo that Desdemona had love for Cassio: "With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do..." (II. I. 164-65). This quote shows that Iago deceives Roderigo into believing that Desdemona loves Cassio when in Roderigo's eyes it is virtually impossible. Iago basically controls Rodrigo because Iago deceives him into believing that he can have Desdemona, by ...

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Iago: More Than Just a Villain. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 10:22, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/58651.html