An Unfolding of the Character Iago

In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice, Othello is a general in the

Venetian army, who just married Desdemona, the daughter of a Venetian noble man called

Brabantio. Iago is a soldier in Othello’s army, who is angry Othello for choosing Cassio as his

lieutenant instead of him. Iago decides to take revenge on Cassio for replacing him. Iago

manipulates Cassio to make him lose his lieutenant position and devise a plan to murder him.

Under the villain Iago’s malicious suggestions, Othello believes that Desdemona has been

unfaithful to him because he doubts his wife is sleeping with Cassio. Othello makes up his mind

to kill her in revenge. Later, Othello discovers that he has been tricked. Overcome by grief and

regret, he commits suicide. Thus, it can be seen that Iago’s manipulations are driven by a basic

desire to avenge those who hurt him.

Iago hates Othello for two dominant reasons. First, Othello chooses Cassio as his

lieutenant instead of him. Second, Iago suspects that Othello is having an affair with his wife

Emilia, as Iago soliloquies to himself, “I have the Moor; and it is thought abroad that twixt my

sheets. He’s done my office” (1.3.365). Therefore, Iago wants Othello to suffer by manipulating

a fight between Othello and Brabantio at the very beginning of the play. Iago might be planning

for Othello to kill Brabantio, so that his marriage with Desdemona will be destroyed. Othello’s

life will become very miserable without his wife. When Othello and Desdemona fall in love with

each other, Desdemona’s father Brabantio does not notice. Iago wants to disturb the situation by

telling Brabantio about their relationship and where to find Othello. Iago says, “I am one, sir that

comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs…. That

you shall surely find him, lead to the Sagittary the raised search, and there will I be with him”
(1.1. 116 and 160). Brabantio believes that Othello has abused his daughter and sends parties out

immediately to apprehend him. On the other hand, Iago also goes to tell Othello that Brabantio

and his parties are looking for him. Iago says, “It is Brabantio, General, be advised. He comes to

bad intent” (1.2.57). Iago also lies that Roderigo, a rich veteran, is responsible for angering

Brabantio against him. Iago pretends that he is loyal but, in fact, he is setting the stage for a fight.

Iago might feel triumphant when Brabantio and his parties arrive for Othello, but, instead of

fighting back, Othello surrenders to him. Othello says, “Were it my cue to fight, I should have

known it without a prompter. –Whither will you that I go to answer this your charge?” Iago’s

manipulation fails because he has miscalculated what Othello’s response would be.

Iago takes his revenge on Cassio by manipulating him into drink too much; since he is

certain Cassio will do something he will regret. Iago believes that Cassio will be punished and

perhaps even lose his lieutenant position for his ridiculous behaviors. Iago may have the

opportunity to replace Othello’s lieutenant as he had hoped before. When a celebration is held

for Othello defeating the Turkish fleet and his wedding to Desdemona, Iago formulates a plan

immediately, which is to get Cassio drunk and manipulates a fight with Roderigo. On one hand,

he tells Roderigo, who loves Desdemona and hopes she will leave Othello soon, to attack Cassio

because Iago lies to him that, “ Desdemona is directly in love with him” (2,1,213). The fool

Roderigo does exactly as Iago says. At this point, Iago seems to be skillful at using Roderigo’s

motivation of desiring for Desdemona. On the other hand, Iago persuades Cassio into drinking,

even though he refuses at the very beginning. Iago says, “Well, happiness to their sheets! Come,

Lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine, and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would

fain have a measure to the health of black Othello”(2.3.23). Implicitly, Iago encourages everyone

to drink because he understands that Cassio’s drinking will impair his judgment. The fight
between Cassio and Roderigo breaks out as he planned. The fight goes according to Iago’s plan,

and although Othello loves Cassio, Othello has no choice but to demote him from lieutenant.

Iago is happy to see Cassio punished, but he is still unsatisfied. Even when he takes the position

as Othello’s lieutenant as Othello demonstrates, “Now are thou my lieutenant” (3.3 494), he still

believes that being made lieutenant is not enough for what he believes is his, and he plans to

punish Othello for overlooking him in the first place.

Iago is very pragmatic and thinks very fast in every situation. Once Iago learns Cassio’s

high regard for Desdemona, he immediately formulates a plan to make Othello suspect adultery

in order to destroy his virtuous wife. With Cassio’s name in ruins, Iago suggests that Cassio

speak with Desdemona, so that she can put a good word with Othello for him. Iago says, “I’ll tell

you what you shall do. Our general’s wife is now the general…. confess yourself freely to her;

importune he help to put you in your place again” (2.3.273). Cassio believes Iago’s suggestion is

an intelligent one, and he, “You advise me well”(2.3.282). Iago is setting a trap for Cassio to fall

in. Iago makes sure that Othello can see Cassio and Desdemona’s talking, “Myself the while to

draw the Moor apart and bring him jump when he may Cassio find Soliciting his wife” (2. 3.

337), Iago hopes that their talking allows him to convince Othello that his wife is being

unfaithful.

Iago pollutes Othello’s mind by suggesting Desdemona’s fidelity little by little, especially

where Cassio is concerned. First, Iago says to Othello, “O’ beware, my, of jealousy. It is the

green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (3.3.177). Iago warms Othello that

some people may get jealous on him. Then, Iago says, “I speak not yet of proof, look to your

wife; observe her well with Cassio…. she did deceive her father, marrying you”(3,3,210 and

220). Iago is pointing this out because he wants Othello to think that Desdemona could deceive
his father as well as him. Othello should really pay attention on his wife. Iago is also very certain

that he has been given doubt about Desdemona’s innocence. Iago knows that when Desdemona

put in good for Cassio with Othello, Othello will become more suspicious about their

relationship. When Desdemona speaks to Othello “how loyal faithful and lovely does Cassio is”

again and again, Othello gets more and more furious and doubtful, even calls Desdemona a

whore. When Othello returns to Iago, he demands Iago “living reason” to prove Desdemona’s

infidelity. Iago is playing each side very well because no one has suspected his motivation.

When Desdemona loses her handkerchief accidentally, she worries about it because it is

Othello’s first gift to her. Emilia, Iago’s wife picks it up and gives it to Iago. Iago is very

pragmatic because he knows right away that the handkerchief can help his manipulation if he

ensures Cassio receives it. At this point, the evil Iago might feel extremely joyful and

satisfactory because his devastating revenge is almost fulfilled. Once the chance comes, Iago

goes to inform Othello, “I now not that; but such a handkerchief-I am sure it was your wife’s-did

I today see Cassio wipe his beard with” (3.3.452). The way Iago feigns reluctant in telling

Othello the “living reason” to draw Othello’s attention, and also want Othello to believe that he

is not blaming his friend, Iago, on purpose. In order to make Othello’s anger explode, Iago also

discusses the fact that Cassio gives to Bianca, his whore, and lies that Cassio has been boasted in

front of him and others solders that he had slept with Desdemona. Eventually, Othello orders

Iago to kill Cassio and he will deal with his wife. Othello kills his wife. However, he soon

discovers that he has been tricked and takes his own life.

Towards the end of the play, Iago murders Roderigo with no sympathy because Iago is

afraid that Roderigo will expose his manipulation to Othello. At the beginning of the play, Iago

lies to Roderigo that he is spying on Othello to win Desdemona for him, so that he can continue
to receive a considerable amount of money from Roderigo. Roderigo trusts Iago and listens to his

plan to attack Cassio twice. When Roderigo finds out that Iago has been pocketing his gift to

Desdemona. Roderigo says to Iago, “The jewels you have had from me to deliver Desdemona

would half have corrupted a votarist. You have told me she hath received them and returned me

expectations and comforts of sudden respect and acquaintance, but I find none” (4.2.192).

Roderigo receives nothing but kill by his trusted Iago, “Iago stabs Roderigo” (5.1.61),

Iago plays an important role in guiding Othello’s actions throughout play. Iago might feel

happy about the death of Desdemona and Othello, but he is displeased that Cassio is still alive

and becomes the general. Iago shows no regret for his actions through out the play even with

Roderigo’s death, which makes him a true villain.