"(Gale Research,4:425) He has intellectual ideas of right and wrong but is without morals or a conscience. He will do anything in his power to accomplish his goals. "He knew the love of power which is another name for the love of mischief was natural to man."(Bloom342) He believes, "popularity brings not only success in the long run, but immediate opportunities of gain." "He makes friends everywhere, with the great ones of the state, but no less with Roderigo." "He wins everybody to trust him, in matters good and bad indifferently, that their confidence may be his profit."(Gale Research, 4:427) Othello, after he kills Desdemona, pauses to call his friend and destroyer, "My friend, honest, honest Iago" (Oth. 5.2.154 ).
Iago is mainly known for his "honesty." "In the course of Othello, Iago is called "honest" fifteen times by everybody in the play, including himself."(Epstein 379) Othello believes Iago to be a person, "of exceeding honesty, who knows all qualities, with learned sprit of human dealings."(Oth. 3.3 257) He appears to be something he's not. "To attain his purpose with success there must be a disguise." I am not what I am, is his curt and striking statement." (Gale Research, 4:428) Lord Henry Wotton is considered to be extremely intelligent. He boasts that he also knows the ways of people but he claims that Dorian Gray could never commit a murder because, "crime belongs exclusively to the lower orders."(Wilde 134) For Lord Henry Wotton to believe this means that he doesn't have a full understanding of human nature. Iago believes he has an insight in to people but doesn't see that Emilia will betray him. Lord Henry Wotton and Iago both share the view that God is not a factor in life. They believe that people can only rely on themselves. Iago said "Tis in ourselves that we are thus, or thus." "Our bodies are our gardeners, to the which our wills are gardeners." Oth. 1.3.16) Lord Henry Wotton's belief is, "Nothing can save the soul but the senses, just as nothing can save the senses but the soul.
Throughout the play, Iago portrays himself as an wicked figure and can be compared with the devil. ... Iago also succeeds in deceiving Cassio. ... Iago then will start his destructive scheme. ... Iago also uses appearances to create deception. ... When Othello asks him if it was Cassio that he saw, Iago replies "Cassio, my lord! ...
Experiencing not even an iota of empathy or guilt Iago becomes the perfect villain, for it is the feeling for another that leads one to experience guilt and Iago feels for no one. Manipulation of others is not questioned by Iago to be right or wrong. To Iago love is merely "a lust of the blood and a permission of the will" and self-love, the mother of all vices, is the only love that Iago respects. ... The inability to posses a conscience aids Iago in his malevolent schemes. ... Describing the beauty of love between two human beings and comparing it to two animals, makes the act seem harsh and...
Othello trusts Iago and thinks he is honest, when in reality Iago is the least trustworthy of all, and Iago uses this against Othello. ... Iago uses this to rise suspicion in Othello by saying "Cassio, my lord? ... But this is not good enough for Iago. ... Iago is a smart man, and is also very manipulative. ... In the end though, things will catch up to Iago. ...
From the outset, Iago sets up his plan and motivations. ... 'I Shall ensnare them all', Iago says. ... When he compares Desdemona to food, Iago is insulting three different things: the reasons for Othello's marriage; women in general (comparing them to food, used only for a man's pleasure); and the entire Moorish race, saying that they are barbarians, who do not know how to treat women. ... So successful was Iago's scheme that Othello can only think that Iago must have been a devil. ... Iago is very per...
Iago When Shakespeare attempted to create the ultimate villain (and I must say he was stunningly successful), Iago was the result. ... This view on life has many hidden insights into the character of Iago. ... These quotes also show what a highly motivated person Iago is. ... When he compares Desdemona to food, Iago is insulting three different things: the reasons for Othello's marriage, women in general (comparing them to food, used only for a man's pleasure), and the entire Moorish race, saying that they are barbarians, who do not know how to treat women. Whe...
In these lines, he compares her to a woman who allows any man to copulate with her. ... This role in Othello is assumed by Iago. ... In the context Iago uses it, these words are supposed to reassure Roderigo, that Iago is fooling Othello. ... Iago first speaks in concise sentences such as "Honest, my lord?", "Think, my lord and "I think so too". ...
The great difference of a Machiavellian villain compared to an ordinary is the fact the villain will accomplish the task by any means. ... History may be a reason for characters in the play to portray Iago as honest Iago. ... Iago being "honest" Iago convinces Othello to suspect Desdemona but do not distrust her. ... Iago enters the room with guards; Emilia tells everyone all the drama is to be blamed on Iago. ... Othello curses Iago to die and charges him; in the confusion Iago kills Emilia. ...
Iago plans to ruin Othello, in doing so, make Iago the only person that Othello believes and trusts, and Iago will use this trust to manipulate Othello. ... In other words, Iago's only reason for destroying Othello is that Iago is an inherently bad person. ... Iago's first dialog with Roderigo serves as an introduction to Iago's plan. ... Iago feels that Roderigo is a foolish man who exists only for Iago's use or "sport." ... Iago has no reason to hate Othello, but because he is an evil person Iago wants to ruin Othello's life. ...
