Iago is the archatypical villain; this point stands true only when compared to more modern literature. In essence, Iago's persona and the evil that drives him is not a new concept to literature. However, Iago's behavior and plotting can be considered a literary archetype when applied to more contemporary villains. Using the word 'contemporary' loosely, villains from Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist and Great Expectations, George Orwell's Animal Farm, and from the movie Ghost will be compared to behavioral standards set by the honest Iago.
             Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist is a tale of the social injustices in England, during the early 1800's. Dickens' second novel tells the story of the orphan Oliver set against the seamy underside of the London criminal world. The main villain Fagin, is a crafty old Jew who ran a band of young thieves. Fagin's character is introduced when the main character, Oliver Twist, takes up with Fagin's band of thieves.
             Fagin's deeds are like Iago in that he exploits others to achieve his goals. Iago subtly manipulated Othello's court to accomplish his goal of revenge against Othello, whereas Fagin directly manipulated his recruited thieves to do his dirty work and earn him money. The primary parallel between these two villains is their persuasion of others to carry out their evil deeds. Fagin like Iago is thinking criminal; his evil is not by chance but rather careful planning and manipulation. Both Fagin and Iago demonstrate a lack of conscience and integrity.
             Great Expectations, one of Dickens many classics, is the story of a poor English boy's rise to "high society." The poor unrefined Pip (Phillip Pirrip) is first selected to join high society by an elder eccentric lady named Miss Havisham. Havisham is a very rich and grim old woman. Although Havisham is a seeming unlikely villain; her wicked motives are similar t...