Iago’s evil nature
In the story of Othello, we meet many astonishing characters, but there seems to be one character that stands out amongst them all; Iago. Iago is William Shakespeare’s most wicked villain throughout the entire play. Shakespeare uses rhetoric of identity early on when introducing Iago by the “I am not what I am” speech (Act 1, scene 1), perhaps foreshadowing his true personality (Sleczkowski). Iago is the whole reason why there is any conflict in Othello. Iago has a magnificent role in the play, working as a vicious virus towards the characters. Iago manipulates each character by revealing their weaknesses to bring out their downfall. But why is Iago so malicious? Jealousy is his first motive. Iago has so many evil traits …show more content…
Iago knows that Othello’s biggest weakness is Desdemona so he uses it as Othello’s downfall but for his own advantage. “Iago’s strength of words, suggestions and persuasion convince and change Othello so thoroughly that in the course of a few meetings, Othello was lead from a sense of highest personal and professional self-assurance, control, and satisfaction to a pit of insecurity, hatred and recklessness.” (Omer and Verona). Iago begins slowing planting his wicked seeds in Othello’s mind. Iago wants to ease his way into abusing Othello’s ears so he starts off by making an unexpected remark catching Othello’s attention; Iago’s remark being short, loud and surprising which cannot be ignored (Omer and Verona). Since Iago is an excellent planner he knows that Othello will stop and question the remark. Instead of just telling Othello what on his mind he stalls before giving a response causing Othello to become anxious for an answer. This short initial exchange also shows how Iago seeds ideas by implied communications (Omer and Verona). Readers may begin to see that Iago plan is working when Desdemona initially tries to talk about Cassio and he brushes her off and demands her to leave him alone. After Othello and Iago’s first meeting Iago begins to set up plans and hints to have Othello believe him. “Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio.” (Act 3, scene 3). Iago tricks Othello into believing that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. He alludes that Desdemona, having betrayed her father is very likely she will betray Othello as well. “she did deceive her father, marrying you and when she seemed to shake and fear your looks, she loved them most” (Act 3, Scene 3). Little by little Othello is picking up the hints as evidence and interpreting them as a conformation of Iago’s suspicion. After the first meeting with Iago, any event that follows will bring more evidence that Desdemona is false;
In the story of Othello, we meet many astonishing characters, but there seems to be one character that stands out amongst them all; Iago. Iago is William Shakespeare’s most wicked villain throughout the entire play. Shakespeare uses rhetoric of identity early on when introducing Iago by the “I am not what I am” speech (Act 1, scene 1), perhaps foreshadowing his true personality (Sleczkowski). Iago is the whole reason why there is any conflict in Othello. Iago has a magnificent role in the play, working as a vicious virus towards the characters. Iago manipulates each character by revealing their weaknesses to bring out their downfall. But why is Iago so malicious? Jealousy is his first motive. Iago has so many evil traits …show more content…
Iago knows that Othello’s biggest weakness is Desdemona so he uses it as Othello’s downfall but for his own advantage. “Iago’s strength of words, suggestions and persuasion convince and change Othello so thoroughly that in the course of a few meetings, Othello was lead from a sense of highest personal and professional self-assurance, control, and satisfaction to a pit of insecurity, hatred and recklessness.” (Omer and Verona). Iago begins slowing planting his wicked seeds in Othello’s mind. Iago wants to ease his way into abusing Othello’s ears so he starts off by making an unexpected remark catching Othello’s attention; Iago’s remark being short, loud and surprising which cannot be ignored (Omer and Verona). Since Iago is an excellent planner he knows that Othello will stop and question the remark. Instead of just telling Othello what on his mind he stalls before giving a response causing Othello to become anxious for an answer. This short initial exchange also shows how Iago seeds ideas by implied communications (Omer and Verona). Readers may begin to see that Iago plan is working when Desdemona initially tries to talk about Cassio and he brushes her off and demands her to leave him alone. After Othello and Iago’s first meeting Iago begins to set up plans and hints to have Othello believe him. “Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio.” (Act 3, scene 3). Iago tricks Othello into believing that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. He alludes that Desdemona, having betrayed her father is very likely she will betray Othello as well. “she did deceive her father, marrying you and when she seemed to shake and fear your looks, she loved them most” (Act 3, Scene 3). Little by little Othello is picking up the hints as evidence and interpreting them as a conformation of Iago’s suspicion. After the first meeting with Iago, any event that follows will bring more evidence that Desdemona is false;