Iago is the most interesting character in Othello, by William Shakespeare. With his carefully thought out plans, he is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that helps him and moves him closer towards what in his mind is revenge against Othello. He is the main antagonist in this play, pushing Othello and everyone else towards their end.
             Iago is not just your average villain. The role he plays is rather unique and complicated, far from what you might expect. Iago is a very smart man. He is good at judging people's characters and uses this to his advantage. For example, he knows Roderigo loves Desdemona and figures that he would do anything to have her. "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse." (1.3.426) By tricking Roderigo into believing he can get him Desdemona, Iago is able to get money from Roderigo while using him to achieve his revenge. He is also a quick thinker and is able to improvise whenever something unexpected occurs. His cunning and craftiness make him an interesting character, and a true villain.
             Iago is quick to recognize how he can use trust as a tool to forward his purposes. Throughout the play he is known as an honest person. 'Iago gains people's trust and then uses it to manipulate them.' (Alex Z)Othello trusts him more than perhaps anyone else. "This fellow's of exceeding honesty," says Othello. (3.3.299) Iago abuses people's trust in him to achieve his goals. Iago slowly poisons people's thoughts, creating ideas in their heads while keeping his front of honesty. "When devils will the blackest sins put on, They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, As I do now." (2.3.371) Throughout the play, there is hardly an instance when one of the characters that Iago manipulates stops to ponder the fact that he could be lying to them.
             The first example of Iago's manipulation is Roderigo. The second line of the play is Roderigo admitting that Iago contr...