Iago, The Master of Deceit

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Recommended: Explain the importance of iago in the play othello

Is a man that plans his every move, anticipating the reaction of his victims and leading them to their definite doom a madman or a scheming, coldhearted villain? In the play The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare, Iago reveals his impressive and intricate plan to bring Othello, his commander, to his tragic demise. Throughout the play, Iago exhibits extraordinary organizational skills and the ability to strategically use language to deceive many characters, including Othello, Desdemona, Michael Cassio, and Roderigo. At first glance, he appears to have good intentions, giving characters helpful advice and guidance about their problems. However, it is soon revealed that behind every good intension is a well thought out plan that will destroy the unexpected character, proof that Iago is truly a villain, the master of deceit.
A madman is foolish and reckless, showing no signs of preparation and instead acting spontaneously in an irrational manner. Iago, therefore, cannot be described simply as a madman. His actions are not unplanned, but are premeditated to the smallest of details. This is evident during Iago’s revealing soliloquies in the play. The first occurs in act I, scene iii when Iago explains that his hatred for Othello began when he appointed inexperienced Michael Cassio as lieutenant, even after Iago had provided Othello with recommendations from three of the Great Ones. Also, Iago suspects Othello of sleeping with his wife, Emilia. Iago then tells the audience about his plan to take Roderigo’s money and convince naïve Othello that his wife Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, ultimately destroying Othello. According to Jacobsen, what is most striking about Iago’s soliloquies is “the impress...

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...no question that Iago is the true master of deceit.

Works Cited

Caro, Robert V. "Ignatian Discernment And The World Of Othello." Cross Currents 44.3 (n.d.):
332. Literary Reference Center Plus. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
Christofides, R. M. "Iago And Equivocation: The Seduction And Damnation Of Othello." Early
Modern Literary Studies 15.1 (2009): 6. Literary Reference Center Plus. Web. 24 Apr.
2014.
Jacobsen, Ken. "Iago's Art Of War: The ‘Machiavellian Moment’ In Othello." Modern Philology
106.3 (2009): 497-529. Literary Reference Center Plus. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
Jain, P. K. "Othello: A Tragedy Of Passion." Poetcrit 19.1 (2006): 55-59. Literary Reference
Center Plus. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
Shakespeare, William. "The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice." The Norton Anthology of
English Literature. Gen. ed. Stephen Greenblatt. 9th ed. New York: Norton, 2013. 555-635. Print.

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