Iago's Deceptiveness In Othello

William Shakespeare’s Othello becomes a tragedy when Othello places all of his trust in his friend, Iago, who’s master plan is to destroy Othello and Othello’s lieutenant, Cassio. Iago, the manipulative villain, holds very little trust in his friends/colleagues, for he believes others act deceptively, much like Iago himself. Iago is the least trustworthy, manipulating those around him in order to obtain what he wants; in this case, he wants Cassio’s position as lieutenant. Iago, convinced that people act with ill intentions, does not trust others. Iago’s distrust in others proves that one’s own ability to trust reflects deceptiveness and trustworthiness in him/herself.
Othello is a respected general with high honor. Because Othello himself is a trustworthy man, it is his natural inclination to trust others. Othello’s easily placed trust is his fatal flaw because Othello places all his trust in Iago, which results in a tragic death scene. Iago is aware of Othello’s weakness, …show more content…
Iago knows that Desdemona is loyal to Othello, but part of Iago’s plan is to trick Othello into believing Desdemona is unfaithful. Othello trusts the lies Iago tells him over the truth Desdemona speaks. Othello gifts a handkerchief to Desdemona, the handkerchief can be representative of the newly-weds trust. When Othello first bestows the handkerchief upon Desdemona, their relationship is strong and built on trust and love. Othello looses trust in Desdemona when the handkerchief disappears. Before Othello stifles Desdemona, she begs for her life because she is innocent, but Iago destroyed Othello’s trust in Desdemona. Once Emilia finds Desdemona murdered, Emilia tells Othello his wrongdoings and defends Desdemona, “Thou art rash as fire/To say that she was false. Oh, she was heavenly true!” (5.2.147-149). Othello foully murders Desdemona because he would not trust her, for Iago poised Othello’s trust in