Society often puts people into two distinct categories: villains and heroes. Heroes are always regarded as the valiant characters, who carry extensive weight in the events of a story. However, in the play, Othello by William Shakespeare, the one villain in the drama propels the plot greatly, and causes the extent of the conflict. A man named Iago becomes angry that the general of the Venetian army, Othello, gave a position as lieutenant to another man named Cassio. Because of this, Iago decides to come up with a plan to exact revenge on Othello, Cassio, and others around him. His evil plan also requires the manipulation of a gullible man, Roderigo, and Desdemona, who is Othello’s wife. Even though Iago’s acquaintances characterize him as an
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Iago is dishonest to Montano, an official from Cyprus, about Cassio’s normal actions. When Iago gets Cassio drunk, Montano comes, and Iago calls Cassio a “soldier fit to stand by Caesar/and give direction” but also says that Cassio’s drunken outbursts makes him “fear the trust that Othello puts him in/on some odd time of his infirmity” (2.3.126-131). Iago resorts to lying to a respected official from Cyprus, just because he detests Cassio so much. Iago would have to face extreme repercussions for lying to Montano, but he knows that he must do so to ruin Cassio’s reputation. Iago’s extreme contempt towards Cassio clouds Iago’s sense of right and wrong. He values getting revenge on Cassio over being honest to Montano, and he does not express any concern of being punished for his dishonesty. Comparatively, Iago is not truthful towards Othello when he fabricates a story of Cassio’s alleged tryst with Desdemona. Iago claims that while Cassio was sleeping he, “heard him say ‘Sweet Desdemona,/Let us be wary, let us hide our loves...’Curséd fate that gave thee to the Moor!’” (3.3.475-483). Iago falsely declares that he saw “Cassio wipe his beard with [Desdemona’s handkerchief]” (3.3.498). Iago lies to Othello because it is vital to his plan. By indoctrinating Othello with lies, Iago makes him jealous and enraged. This anger bubbles up inside Othello, eventually compelling him to fire Cassio as lieutenant, and give the position to Iago. Iago had to go to extreme lengths to concoct such malicious stories, and he did so knowing that it would help him accomplish his plan of
Iago is dishonest to Montano, an official from Cyprus, about Cassio’s normal actions. When Iago gets Cassio drunk, Montano comes, and Iago calls Cassio a “soldier fit to stand by Caesar/and give direction” but also says that Cassio’s drunken outbursts makes him “fear the trust that Othello puts him in/on some odd time of his infirmity” (2.3.126-131). Iago resorts to lying to a respected official from Cyprus, just because he detests Cassio so much. Iago would have to face extreme repercussions for lying to Montano, but he knows that he must do so to ruin Cassio’s reputation. Iago’s extreme contempt towards Cassio clouds Iago’s sense of right and wrong. He values getting revenge on Cassio over being honest to Montano, and he does not express any concern of being punished for his dishonesty. Comparatively, Iago is not truthful towards Othello when he fabricates a story of Cassio’s alleged tryst with Desdemona. Iago claims that while Cassio was sleeping he, “heard him say ‘Sweet Desdemona,/Let us be wary, let us hide our loves...’Curséd fate that gave thee to the Moor!’” (3.3.475-483). Iago falsely declares that he saw “Cassio wipe his beard with [Desdemona’s handkerchief]” (3.3.498). Iago lies to Othello because it is vital to his plan. By indoctrinating Othello with lies, Iago makes him jealous and enraged. This anger bubbles up inside Othello, eventually compelling him to fire Cassio as lieutenant, and give the position to Iago. Iago had to go to extreme lengths to concoct such malicious stories, and he did so knowing that it would help him accomplish his plan of