The Character of Iago in William Shakespeare's Othello

The Character of Iago in William Shakespeare's Othello

" But it was no sign of stupidity in Othello. For his opinion of Iago

was the opinion of practically everyone who knew him: and that opinion

was that Iago was before all things "honest"." A C Bradley

Iago's perceived honesty is his great and enabling ability, which

allows him to manipulate and cause events without the other characters

realizing. I agree to some extent with Bradley on this point, and

there is sufficent evidence to point this out. Furthermore it is not

just Othello that instates trust upon him but it is the majority of

the other characters too. Roderigo is a perfect example, his stupidity

ultimately allows himself to consider Iago trustworthy, the measure of

his stupidity is based upon the fact Iago is conning him out of money

telling him it is being used to help him win Desdemona

.

"Now I repeat that any man situated as Othello was would have been

disturbed by Iago's communications" BRADLEY

Yet Bradley believes that anyone would have been capable to trust and

fall victim to Iago's plans. I find it hard to agree with such a

statement. As already stated Roderigo is used yet trusts Iago and we

can understand this because to some extent he is claimed to be stupid.

For Bradley to point out that Othello is merely tricked, as anyone

else would have been is purely contradictory to the last of his

quotes.

"Othello's mind, for all its poetry, is very simple. He is not

observant" BRADLEY

It is this alone that allows him the leeway in which he can organize

and carry out the acts of villainy that strife this play. The

character undoubtedly commits a series of crimes against his fellow

peers, some which lead to death. Although we are left uncertain as to

why he may be trusted can we look at Iago and see him as a loveable

rogue?

"This fellow's of exceeding honesty" act 3 scene3 Othello talks of

Iago