Iago, The Master of Deceit

1245 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

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...

... middle of paper ...

...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.

Show More
Related

  • Similarities Between Fahrenheit 451 And Othello

    868 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Shakespeare's play Othello, Iago Is shown to be the villain. With the cunning use of his brilliance and manipulation, he is able to orchestrate an entire plot to take his revenge on Othello the center of all his ill tempered aggression. By lying to characters like Roderigo and many others, including his wife, in order to

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Iago

    1100 Words  | 3 Pages

    Iago’s Subconscious Motive Iago, the antagonist of Shakespeare’s work, Othello, is often considered purely evil or sociopathic. At first glance, Iago appears to be a static, two-dimensional villain, but he is much more. Shakespeare, renowned for his awareness of the human condition, leaves many important aspects of Iago’s life up to interpretation. In published works and critical interpretations, Iago is commonly associated with a myriad of mental illnesses and personality disorders. Because it seems that Iago’s life revolves around Othello and Desdemona, it is understandable how people may suggest that Iago is in love with Othello, or that he is a psychopath with no true motives.

    Read More

  • Comparing Will In Shakespeare's Othello And Henry IV

    728 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Othello, Iago is Shakespeare’s most malicious character and serves as a vehicle to these two themes. Iago despises Othello; he has a strong will to destroy Othello’s life, yet the motive behind his plan goes unexplained. Iago is a great manipulator of the tongue and lies to everyone in order to advance his plan; however, every character in the play considers Iago an honest character, and Othello even associates Iago with light and eyesight. Othello continuously asks Iago to explain or make something clearer. Until the very end, Iago appears to be honest and helpful to the other characters, but underneath this seemingly harmless façade, Iago is a demon with the strongest will; he will stop at nothing until he ruins Othello’s life. Iago uses a positive appearance to enact his

    Read More

  • Iago Psychopath Analysis

    1126 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the light of the various descriptions of an unstable person, Iago is a psychopath with his manipulative choice of words. He tells people things that they want to hear and he says it in a manner that makes him appear exceptional. “ I humbly do beseech you of your pardon, For too much loving you.” (3.3.106) In act three, Iago pretends to be Othello’s confidant, and he wants Othello to suspect his wife is having an affair. Iago has a pseudo relationship with Othello the entire duration of the play.

    Read More

  • Shakespeare's Othello - Iago as Good Strategician and Lucky Opportunist

    1197 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... still no closer to finding out. Similarly with Iago there is no doubt that he is intelligent and quick-witted and his bitterness and jealousy fuels his plans but to an extent the circumstances played as big a role as the character. Shakespeare created Iago and the circumstances because they reacted well together and made an interesting and exciting plot. So I believe it is fair to say that Iago, as a character is both a good strategician and a lucky opportunist in equal measures.

    Read More

  • The Misunderstood Iago of Othello

    863 Words  | 2 Pages

    Iago is a man wronged by Othello in the fact that he was not chosen to be Othello’s lieutenant, which is what put the dastardly idea into Iago’s head to trick them all and bring them to their knees. As Iago tells Roderigo within the first act and scene of “Othello”, Despise me if I do not. Three great ones of the city,/ In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,... ... middle of paper ... ... n the end of the play.

    Read More

  • Iago as a Satan Figure in Shakespeare's Othello

    1433 Words  | 3 Pages

    The play "Othello" by William Shakespeare is based on an Italian story in Giraldi Cinthio's Hecatommithi (Groliers). In "Othello" we encounter Iago, one of Shakespeare's most evil characters.  Iago is an ensign in Othello's army and is jealous of Cassio's promotion to Lieutenant. Through deception and appearance, we see unfolded a plethora of lies and clever schemes. The astonishing thing about Iago is that he seems to make up his malicious schemes as he goes along without any forethought. Noted writer Samuel Taylor Coleridge describes Iago's plan as "motive-hunting of a motiveless malignity" (Scott 413). Iago seizes every opportunity to further advance his plan to his advantage. Greed plays a major role as a motive for his various schemes. Throughout the story, Iago portrays himself as a Satan figure. In many ways, Iago can compare with Satan.

    Read More

  • Iago: One Of The Most Complex Character In William Shakespeare's Othello

    1042 Words  | 3 Pages

    Iago is one of the most complex characters in William Shakespeare’s Othello. To most of the characters, he is “Honest Iago” (Shakespeare, 5.2.73). however, the audience knows that Iago is the furthest thing from honest. Iago is a devil bent on destroying the lives of everyone around him. At the beginning of the play, the audience learns that Iago is determined to ruin Othello’s marriage to Desdemona. He has appointed a new lieutenant, Michael Cassio. This angers Iago because he feels that he has much more military experience and should be the lieutenant. Iago has also heard rumours that both Othello and Cassio have slept with his wife Emilia. He concocts a malicious plan to ruin the lives of all who have wronged him, and consequently establishing

    Read More

  • Othello Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    962 Words  | 2 Pages

    Language and imagination are among the most dangerous weapons Iago has at his disposal in Othello. Jealous and angered by Othello’s - his commanding officer - passing over him for a promotion, Iago develops a fierce, antagonistic perspective the aforementioned character; this sentiment quickly corrupts his volition, and he subsequently concocts a plot bent on destroying Othello. He renders this revenge scheme credible by concealing his true feelings behind a facade of loyalty and trustworthiness, and fabricating a fictitious story concerning the infidelity of Desdemona, Othello’s wife. Until the play concludes, Iago utilizes purposeful rhetoric to drive his agenda, and also a mastery of deception to mislead the minds of his targets.

    Read More

  • The Tragedy of Othello

    676 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shakespeare develops the character Iago into an instigator and evil man. Iago attempts and succeeds to convince Othello that his wife has had an affair with his friend Cassio. We see Iago beginning his plans at the very start of the play. “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at, I am not what I am.”(Oth 1:1:64-65) He immediately tries to start trouble with Brabantio and Othello over the marriage to Desdemona. Iago want to get in Othello’s way because he was passed over for general and Cassio was chosen instead. We see from the start how he plots against Othello and he involves several characters in his plans. “And what’s he then that says I play the villain? When this advice is free. I give and honest, probal to thinking, and indeed the course to win the Moor again? For tis easy Th’ inclining Desdemona to subdue in any honest suit; she’s framed as fruitful…”(2:3:295-300).

    Read More

  • Iago the Machiavellian in Othello

    1407 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout history, there have been many human beings whom have been seen as either a hero or a villain. In their childhood, these people must had obstacles that were in their way, causing each individual to either work harder or give up. People, however; must understand that each individual has a potential in achieving their goals, but if one is mistreated or deceived due to jealousy, resentment, hatred, or ambition, it can lead to many catastrophic events. People who have pride and arrogance do not want to have equals, rather they want to see their victims suffer. These people have no difficulty in achieving their goals due to the fact that their victims have too innocent a nature to suspect the nefarious motives of their enemies. In this tragedy, Othello, Shakespeare has created a villain who behaves in this manner. Iago’s hatred, method of revenge, and vengeful hatred are the reasons of the lives lost in this play and the reasons that lead to Iago’s downfall.

    Read More

  • Iago and Honesty in Shakespeare's Othello

    1172 Words  | 3 Pages

    Iago uses the word "honest" in act three of Othello in three primary ways.  The first way he uses it is to mean honourable, about Cassio.  He uses this meaning of the word to force Othello to doubt Cassio's honesty, and question his hounorablility.  The second way is to mean faithful, both about Desdemona and Cassio.  Iago uses it in the context that the two may be "truthful," again to make Othello doubt.  The third way is Iago's most effective use, which is to use honest in the context to mean truthful, as in, he has told Othello the truth.  However, Shakespeare has created tremendous dramatic irony, for we know that Iago is being anything except truthful.  The three uses of the word honest are used largely in the subtext of the act, they are used by Iago to force Othello to question his wife's integrity, and honesty.  Shakespeare uses the word by Iago to plant tremendous doubt in Othello's mind.  The word is also used by Iago in the action line.  His objective is constantly to make Othello think things without actually being told them, and Iago's parroting of the word and constant useage do this quite nicely.

    Read More

  • A Comparison of Iago and Lucifer

    2324 Words  | 5 Pages

    In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is the antagonist and villain who causes all the trouble and disorder. Othello is the protagonist, and is the main person Iago’s destruction and revenge is aimed towards. Othello is naïve and gives everybody his trust even though he may not know them or they haven’t earned his trust yet. He often refers to Iago has “Honest” Iago, which is a direct showing of irony because Iago is not honest at all (Shakespeare, I, iii. 289). Iago is so angry that Othello didn’t give him the promotion that was given to Cassio that he plans to seek revenge against Othello. He seeks his revenge against Othello by manipulating and lying to all of the people around him including his closest friend Roderigo, Cassio, Othello’s wife Desdemona and even his own wife Emilia. In the end, Iago’s lies and manipulation led to the deaths of Roderigo, Emilia, Othello and Desdemona. This isn’t the first time many of these individual characteristics have shown up in one of Shakespeare’s plays.

    Read More

  • Shakespeare's Othello - Honest Iago

    785 Words  | 2 Pages

    Without a doubt, one of the main themes that runs throughout William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Othello, is that of honesty.  In the play, the most interesting character is Iago, who is commonly called and known as "Honest Iago."  However, this could not be farther from the truth.  Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that benefits and moves him closer to his own goals.  He is smart and an expert at judging the characters of others.  Because of this, Iago pushes everyone to their tragic end.

    Read More

  • Iago

    1140 Words  | 3 Pages

    Iago, the evil villain of Shakespeare's Othello, is more than just a villain. In many ways he is the most intelligent and appealing character in the play. Iago shows superiority over the rest of the characters in the play. He has the ability to manipulate the characters in the play, therefore controlling the play with every sequence of events. His intelligence shines through his ability to deceive, his ability to strategize, and his ability to twist the truth. Iago is appealing to the characters of the pay because he gives them what they want. Iago is appealing to the reader as well. His character is totally unconflicted about being evil, making him known to some authors as the villain of all villains. Iago is, in many ways, the most intelligent and appealing character in the play.

    Read More

More about Iago, The Master of Deceit

Open Document