Iago As The Villain In Shakespeare's Othello

The classic antagonist in every story seeks to see the fruition of their devious plan, and would most likely be successful without the direct opposition of the protagonist. However, in Othello, rather than working against Othello, Iago gives an illusion of working with him in order to gain an advantage in the construction of his plot. Acting as a playwright within the play, Iago pushes and prods characters into the position that is most favorable to his final plan, which ultimately is to bring down Othello. In Iago, Shakespeare presents a villain who is not only able to construct elaborate schemes, but one who is also clever enough to disguise them with a façade that allows him to manipulate others. Iago is aware that other characters perceive him as an

In their conversations together, Iago seems to pity Roderigo, claiming to “have professed me thy friend,” yet he advises Roderigo into a position which would only help him further drive his plot forward, simultaneously leading Roderigo to believe that he is helping him (I.iii.379). When Iago is alone, he is less likely to brag about these ideas and more likely to run the audience through his thought process in a stream-of-consciousness. Through these monologues, the audience is able to see the more manipulative side of Iago that he disguises when around Othello. Iago carefully manipulates each character to the position that is most advantageous to him, yet still asks himself, “And what’s he, then, that says I play the villain,/When this advice is free I give and honest” (II.iii.356-57). Almost seeming to be proud of himself, Iago views his planning as nothing more than a game, “[his] sport and profit” (I.iii.429). Iago has no moral qualms about exploiting others’ weaknesses, a situation which ultimately gives him the upper hand against Othello when controlling