IAGOIago's character is pure evil, a cold-hearted villian capable of manipulating anyone to get what he wants. Iago's crimes define pathological jealousy and a sheer desire for revenge. Even though he is referred to as "Honest Iago", he lies, cheats,steals, and murders to gain a position he feels he justly deserves. He is best described as disturbing, ruthless, and amoral. His hate, lies and manipulations of Othello, Cassio, Roderigo, Desdemona and Emelia are present at the beginning of the play. Iago says of himself, "I am not what I am".Iago breeds amorality and cynicism into a character, who otherwise would live a very dull life. He is a 28 years old soldier under Othello's command. W ...view middle of the document...
Othello does not know that Cassio was asking Desdemona to speak to Othello about reinstating him to the position of Lieutenant. Iago sees to it that Othello witnesses other meetings between Cassio and Desdemona, which causes further distrust and anger within Othello's soul, all to the delight of Iago. Othello demands proof of the affair between Cassio and Desdemona, and Iago tells Othello about a handkerchief that Cassio used to wipe his brow, the same handkerchief given to Desdemona by Othello. Othello, now satisfied that Iago was telling the truth about the affair bwtween Cassio and Desdemona, orders Cassio killed. When Othello speaks to Desdemona about the situation, she protests her innocence. This completely convinces Othello of her infidelity and orders her to thier bed to wait for him. Desdemona os asleep when Othello arrives, fighting within himself between his love and hate for her. Othello kisses Desdemona and awakens her. They struggle and then he strangles her to death with a pillow. When Othello later comes to realize Desdemona was innocent, he stabs himself, crawls onto the bed beside her and dies.Michael CassioMichael Cassio, a Florentine with great military knowledge, who was promoted to Lieutenant by Othello. Iago feels that Cassio is ill-suited for this position because he never went into battle, as Iago had. Iago knows that Cassio cannot handle liquor very well, so he sets Cassio up to lose his position as lieutenant. Iago tricks Cassio into drinking, then has Roderigo pick a fight with him, knowing he will be demoted by Othello for drinking and fighting on his watch. Iago knew that Cassio was committed to Othello and the position he had been given, so when Cassio was demoted, Iago naturally thought there was a chance he would become Othello's Lieutenant. A thought that became a reality for Iago. In his hatred for Othello, Iago plans to use Cassio in his revenge against Othello, by hinting that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona. Iago uses Desdemona's lost handkerchief, plants it in Cassio's room, and reports to Othello that he saw Cassio wipe his brow with it. Meetings between Cassio and Desdemona are secretly watched by Othello, and Iago uses the opportunities to fuel Othello's distrust for his wife and his hatred for Cassio. Iago knows the meetings between the two are innocent, and it is Cassio's hope that Desdemona can convince Othello to reinstate Cassio as his lieutenant. Iago keeps this information to himself, all the while basking in the delight that lives are being ruined in the process. Iago then tells Othello that Cassio will brag to others about sleeping with Desdemona, which infuriates Othello, so he orders Cassio dead. Iago is more than willing to go along with this deception because he feels it will land him back into Othello's good graces. An attack is planned on Cassio; however, Cassio only ends up with a leg wound. Cassio is cleared of any wrong doing and the truth that there was never an affair w...
