Lago, The Plotter

Othello is a steadfast leader that the reader finds him or herself wanting to be more like. His experiences are unparalleled and that’s what makes him such a popular leader. He has seen many battles and fought many fights; his stories are legendary among those who revere him. In our day he would be the man every man wants to be like and the man every woman wants, but even those who are revered have enemies. If this were not the case then there would be no means for him to have become so revered. In overcoming so many obstacles Othello made a most convincing enemy. In this article we will explore Iago’s dark secrets and expose and examine what makes him such a great villain. William Shakespeare used various literary devices such as characterization, metaphors, irony, and symbols to portray Iago as a cunning villain.

Shakespeare’s acute use of characterization sets a great opposition between the protagonist and the antagonist. Iago, Shakespeare’s villain, is quite the opposite as our protagonist Othello. Upon being confronted, swords drawn, Othello says, “Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. Good Signior, you shall more command with years than with your weapons.” Othello’s sense of diplomacy set him apart as a distinguished gentleman before a soldier. Telling the soldiers to lower their swords eases the tension and creates for an opening to a peaceful solution. To further demonstrate Othello’s devotion to diplomacy he asks Barbantio, “Where will you that I go to answer this your charge?” When Barbantio answers, “To prison,” Othello complies by saying, “What if I obey? How may the duke be therewith satisfied?” (Shakespeare 16) These are just a few examples of Othello’s obedience and how his actions distinguish ...

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...gonism. Characterization was used to emphasize Othello’s gentlemen like nature and noble soldier status, while to the contrary, Iago’s actions defined him as a conniving saboteur. These differences create a tension that stresses the good in our protagonist and the bad in our antagonist. Metaphors were used by Iago that showed his manipulative pattern of malice. A subtle placement of irony extenuates our negative perceptions of Iago. Symbolism was a crucial role in Othello, this may have been the crown jewel of literary devices used to demonstrate that Iago was a great villain in the play Othello. Symbolism was the device that this whole play hinged on. Were it not for the handkerchief and the inherent symbolism Othello would have played out very differently.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. Othello. Dehli, 2007. David O. Mckay Library. Web. 18 Jan.

2012.