Maczka
The Ultimate Villain of Contempt and Malice: Iago
Ashley Maczka
Sister Marlene Mucha, SSJ
Honors British Literature
February 10, 2016
The Ultimate Villain of Contempt and Malice: Iago
Iago, Shakespeare?s antagonist in Othello, is set apart from most of the characters of his time. His evil spirit and corrupt, manipulative nature create the perfect villain, and his actions can assure this. Iago is very different from other villains and antagonists for many reasons such as his superior skills in manipulating people who think very highly of him; and in doing so, has no feelings of guilt. Iago?s actions impacts the plot of Othello severely. All the characters equally suffer because of his plots and secretive plans. Iago?s malicious, villainous personality and his spiteful, secretive manipulation of the many characters present in Shakespeare?s Othello contribute to the notion that he truly is an ultimate villain. Villains have certain qualities that set them apart from being just average antagonists in their featured works. They are known to be evil just by the way they act and their overall expressions. Villains are known to be very deceitful and hypocritical in nature but hide this from their soon-to-be victims. Though they hide their intentions from the people around them, …show more content…
The first sense of irony shown was the insinuation of Iago being honest. In total, Iago is referred to as being honest fifty-one times during Othello.43 It is very ironic how Iago is known as being ?honest? but all the evil plots and schemes in the play were directed by him. He also had to lie to get many of these plans to work.44 The audience already knows that Iago is a villain and, therefore, can see the irony behind Othello introducing him to the Duke as ?A man he is of honesty and trust.? (I, iii, 278-279)45 The irony of honesty in Iago accentuates his evil
The Ultimate Villain of Contempt and Malice: Iago
Ashley Maczka
Sister Marlene Mucha, SSJ
Honors British Literature
February 10, 2016
The Ultimate Villain of Contempt and Malice: Iago
Iago, Shakespeare?s antagonist in Othello, is set apart from most of the characters of his time. His evil spirit and corrupt, manipulative nature create the perfect villain, and his actions can assure this. Iago is very different from other villains and antagonists for many reasons such as his superior skills in manipulating people who think very highly of him; and in doing so, has no feelings of guilt. Iago?s actions impacts the plot of Othello severely. All the characters equally suffer because of his plots and secretive plans. Iago?s malicious, villainous personality and his spiteful, secretive manipulation of the many characters present in Shakespeare?s Othello contribute to the notion that he truly is an ultimate villain. Villains have certain qualities that set them apart from being just average antagonists in their featured works. They are known to be evil just by the way they act and their overall expressions. Villains are known to be very deceitful and hypocritical in nature but hide this from their soon-to-be victims. Though they hide their intentions from the people around them, …show more content…
The first sense of irony shown was the insinuation of Iago being honest. In total, Iago is referred to as being honest fifty-one times during Othello.43 It is very ironic how Iago is known as being ?honest? but all the evil plots and schemes in the play were directed by him. He also had to lie to get many of these plans to work.44 The audience already knows that Iago is a villain and, therefore, can see the irony behind Othello introducing him to the Duke as ?A man he is of honesty and trust.? (I, iii, 278-279)45 The irony of honesty in Iago accentuates his evil