Character of Iago in Shakespeare for BA Students

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  Character of Iago in Shakespeare

Iago is one among the greatest creation of Shakespeare. His role as villain in Othello has created great impact on readers. He is a man of genius, devilish and cunning. He is good in planning and executing. His hatredness towards Othello is expressed in the opening scene.

·         Othello has appointed Cassio as Lieutenant.

·         Ignored the claims of Iago.

Iago reveals that he hates the Moor. He is a man of suspicion. He suspects the Moor with his wife Emilia. He believes that Cassio has slept with his wife, “For I fear Cassio with my night cap-too”. He has a personal conflict with Desdemona. He considered her as a weapon to destroy Othello.

            Iago was by nature a devil. Shakespeare portrays him as a monstrous villain. He is no doubt a monstrous villain. He imagines himself as a superior being. He underestimates Othello and Cassio. He hates Desdemona because she loves the Moor.

            Hypocrisy is one of the traits of Iago. Posing as Othello’s true friend and lover, Iago moves out to destroy him. He has an amazing talent in plotting and manipulating a plan. He employs devilish devices to destroy Othello.

·         Make Cassio drunk and involve him in fight.

·         Dropping the handkerchief of Desdemona in Cassio’s room.

·         Provokes Othello, invents a lie about the handkerchief “spotted with strawberries”.

·         Tells Othello that Cassio has Confessed.

·         Ask Othello to hide and overhear the conversation.

·        Iago stabs the wounded Roderigo to death.

      Iago is a cynical man. He makes cynical comments on women who are fair and wise, black and witty, those who are foolish and fair, and those who are foul and foolish. He is brutal in his comments.

    Iago shows little respect for his wife Emilia. He considers her as a foolish woman, too. He uses her as a tool. Iago possess great knowledge in dealing human. Thus Iago stands supreme among Shakespeare’s evil character.  

 

 

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