Introduction
In the play Othello, Iago's character vividly expresses the power of love and hate and how they influence an individual's actions. Many readers could point out Iago as the villain of the story, and rightly so; however, Shakespeare's creation of Iago's character elaborates more on the influence of one's individuality on the people around them. Iago managed to convince everybody that he is an honest man until the very end of the play proving his cold intellectualism (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Moreover, he brings other characters into action to fulfill his revenge mission without them noticing their role in his ultimate plan (“Iago”). Iago also reveals the dark side of humans as his greed for power grows throughout the play; thus, deceiving and betraying his friends. Notably, Iago perfected his art of understanding human emotions and behaviors and utilized it to manipulate every character. Othello, Cassio, Roderigo, Desdemona, and Emilia all became victims of Iago's evil plans and suffered miserably at the end of the play (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Nonetheless, the victims failed numerous times in questioning Iago's intentions and let him influence their actions. In Othello, Shakespeare utilizes Iago's character to suggest that love and hate are strong emotional triggers that can poison humans' actions towards each other.
Iago’s Greed
At the very beginning of the play, Iago states, "I am not what I am," to express his masterful disguise that is different from other people's reality (Shakespeare 4). He understood the importance of hiding his true intentions if he intended to survive in this cruel world. Iago aspired to become General Othello's lieutenant in his quest for power and status; however, Othello chose Cassio, which made him angry and hateful (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Notably, Iago's reaction towards the news is moderate as he claims, "We cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed," which instigates the beginning of his revenge plan without anyone's knowledge (Shakespeare 4). The fact that Iago was able to maintain his relationship with Othello after failing to secure the lieutenant position strengthened their friendship. Othello would call him ‘honest’ Iago based on the foundation of their relationship; thus, he was in a better place to execute his revenge successfully (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Iago's aspiration to carry out revenge proved to be crucial to him that he chose to utilize every other character to punish Othello's betrayal. According to Shakespeare, Cassio was Iago's perfect villain to abuse Othello's ears (21). Iago knew about Othello's love for his dear wife, Desdemona, and making him jealous would hurt him severely, so all he had to do was convince him she was cheating on him (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”).
Deceptive Nature
In the first Act, Roderigo finds out from Iago that Desdemona has secretly married General Othello (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Iago convinces his friend Roderigo not to quit his pursuit of a married woman by asking him to inform Brabantio, Desdemona's father, about the marriage in an attempt to break off the engagement because Brabantio would dislike Othello (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). In this scene, Iago understands Roderigo's weakness is his love for Desdemona and utilizes that to stir up hatred between Brabantio and Othello (“Iago”). Notably, Iago distanced himself from Roderigo's action as he tells Othello, "Nine or ten times I had thought to have yerked him here under the ribs" for speaking ill about you (Shakespeare 8). From the start, Iago exhibits the extent he would go to make Othello suffer. Iago betrays Roderigo's trust and drags him into his evil plan without him noticing the consequences of his actions. Roderigo's love for Desdemona and Iago's hate for Othello breed a tense encounter between a distressed father and a concerned husband, all claiming Desdemona's significance in their lives (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Iago's deceptive abilities appear as he provides a helping hand in both parties when he is responsible for the encounter.
Iago’s Evil Plan
Iago's hate for Othello affected other characters who had no idea of his despiteful intentions, with Cassio being a great example. Upon learning his weakness after Cassio confined to him that he has "unhappy brains for drinking," Iago decided to get him drunk so that he offends Othello (Shakespeare 32). Consequently, Cassio's trust in Iago led him into trouble as he got drunk and got into a brawl with Roderigo (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Othello got angry after learning about the fight and fired Cassio as his lieutenant (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Notably, Othello admits his love for Cassio but insists Iago is an honest man and that the brawl has happened, so he has to punish Cassio for his actions (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Iago could have easily contended for Cassio's position, but he was not yet satisfied as his goal was to destroy Othello. Successfully removing Cassio from Othello's army acted as a stepping stone for Iago's next plan. Iago viewed it as an opportunity to instill jealousy and hate in Othello; thus, completely ruining his life (“Iago”). The revenge masterplan proved vital in Iago's actions as he continued to utilize every opportunity to manipulate characters for his benefit (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”).
Cassio believed his reputation as a civil servant was integral in maintaining his social status; thus, he was willing to do anything to clear his name (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). The aspiration presented Iago with an opportunity to harm Othello even further, so he urges Cassio, "Confess yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you in your place again" (Shakespeare 40). Iago knew Desdemona's goodness would ensure she tried to help Cassio, and he could use that to make Othello jealous (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Despite his evil doings, Iago insists that all he does is give free and honest advice, which does not make him the villain as the individuals choose to act upon their emotions at the end (Shakespeare 40). The claim supports Iago's actions as an individual is responsible for his actions whether or not they are following someone's advice; hence, Iago always acted alone following his greed-driven aspirations. Most of the other characters failed to consider the implications of their actions as they trusted Iago's advice, but that still makes them responsible. In contrast, Iago only believes in himself and manages to manipulate everyone to serve his self-interest without anyone's influence, making him the master planner in the play.
Othello’s Weakness
Othello's love for Desdemona was the most valuable thing Iago could destroy as revenge for missing out on the lieutenant position. In Act Three, Iago warns Othello, "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mocks the meat it feeds on," intending to sabotage Othello's trust in Desdemona and Cassio (Shakespeare 49). Othello's passion for Desdemona makes him order ‘honest’ Iago to investigate the relationship between his wife and Cassio, giving Iago another chance to ruin their marriage (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). All Iago needed was to present incriminating evidence to confirm the doubts in Othello's mind. Also, in this scene, Iago fails in utilizing his advice as greed and jealousy propelled the evil actions that would adversely affect him and his loved ones. For instance, his wife, Emilia, suffers due to Iago's betrayal and deception in the end (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Despite his cold intellectualism, Iago did not know when to limit his evil actions because of hateful emotional triggers (“Iago”). The master planner was digging his own grave, and only time was going to tell how severe were the consequences of his actions. With all characters entangled in Iago's revenge plan, the impact was catastrophic.
Iago’s Thirst for Revenge
Shakespeare further elaborates on Iago's thirst for revenge and how far he was willing to go by introducing Emilia's role in the plan. According to Shakespeare, Emilia stole the vital piece of evidence that incriminates Desdemona and Cassio following Iago's instruction as she states, "That which so often you did bid me steal" (54). Emilia's love for Iago blinded her ability to question her husband's evil intentions because she trusted and believed he was an honest man (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Othello had instructed Iago to provide him with "ocular proof," so Iago was willing to take any risk, even if it meant involving his innocent wife to prove Desdemona was cheating on Othello (Shakespeare 55). The handkerchief, which was significant to Othello's life, awakens his dark side as Othello seeks revenge for betrayal by Desdemona and Cassio (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Iago had achieved his goal of instilling hatred and jealousy in Othello's mind, who now wanted Desdemona and Cassio dead (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Moreover, Iago goes to the extent of advising Othello on how to murder his wife as he tells him, "Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated" (Shakespeare 74). Iago's actions proved how vengeful he was that he did not even consider the death of an innocent woman that trusted him as an unkind act (“Iago”).
Understanding Iago’s Motives
In Act Four, some characters began questioning Iago's role in all the misfortunes that occurred in the play (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Emilia believes there is a villain among them that is trying to sabotage Desdemona's innocent reputation despite not being sure who it was at first (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Besides, Roderigo claims, "Faith, I have heard too much, for your words and performances are no kin together," as he dismisses Iago's false promises to help him woo Desdemona (Shakespeare 84). Iago starts viewing his friends as a threat to his original plan that was in its final stages. Consequently, Iago thinks of new ways to eliminate all of them at once because when he stands alone, he benefits without competition (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Iago lures Roderigo into killing Cassio because he made him believe Cassio's death was beneficial to their arrangement (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). He states, "Ay if you dare do yourself a profit and a right," referring to Roderigo removing Cassio out of their way (Shakespeare 85). In the end, Roderigo attacks Cassio in an attempt to eliminate him thanks to Iago's influence. Notably, Iago admits that "Now, whether he kill Cassio, Or Cassio him, or each does kill the other, every way makes my gain" (Shakespeare 90). The ability to adapt accordingly in each situation made Iago a dangerous villain; thus, leading to extreme suffering in the play.
The Aftermath
In the end, Othello kills his wife, Desdemona, because he believed she was cheating on him (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). The incriminating evidence provided by Iago instilled jealousy and hatred that overthrew the love that Othello had for Desdemona. Emilia, who was very close to Desdemona, was infuriated by Othello's actions; thus, calling him out as the villain of the story (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). However, Othello revealed that Iago's influenced his actions as he proved that Desdemona was cheating. Consequently, Emilia questions Iago by asking, "Disprove this villain, if thou be a man: He says thou told him that his wife was false" (Shakespeare 102). Iago could not defend himself as the truth had caught up with him.
On the other hand, Roderigo's attack on Cassio failed, and upon discovery of the perpetrator, Iago stabbed Roderigo to earn Cassio's trust (“Othello: The Moor of Venice”). Nonetheless, Iago's scheme did not continue for long. Othello killed himself as he is felt guilty for killing his wife...
