Iago is a compelling and sophisticated villain. He celebrates in his ability to break down and destroy. However, to some extent enjoys having an audience (Roderigo) and outlines his plots clearly. He is also rather mysterious and deep. Iago seems to have no conscience at all proven by his committing the cold-blooded murder.
I think that jealousy motivates Iago and think that was his first reason for disgracing Cassio publicly; but he also admits that he is personally envious of the ‘daily beauty’ (5.1.19) in Cassio’s life. In addition to this, he says that he believes that Cassio has committed adultery with his wife, Emilia. Iago’s relationship with Roderigo is driven by greed and when his ‘purse’ (1.3.381) becomes a dangerous problem, he kills him.
He also holds a grudge against Othello for promoting Cassio over him. It could be said that although Iago never says it openly, he hates women or foreigners, as he has an extremely low opinion of them, which comes across in many of his lines. This suggests that Iago wants to degrade those he despises, ‘even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe’ (1.1.85).
I realise that Iago is pushed to the point where he takes revenge by feelings of frustration and hatred. He wants those (Cassio and Othello) who have, as he sees it, wounded him personally and professionally, to suffer in the way that he has suffered. Like the Moor, he is very proud, but his pride is full of cunning spitefulness while the Moor is generous and open. He is also self-sufficient, arrogant and independent. These qualities help him in his false path.
I think that Iago’s plan is to destroy the mind, soul and body of the noble, valiant Moor. He goes to many extremes to do this e.g. questioning Cassio about his relationship with Bianca whilst lying to the Moor and pretending that they are talking about Desdemona. Iago is prepared to go to any lengths and hurt anybody who comes in the way of his master plan.
The initial impression of Iago is that he is an extremely devious character. He does things without people realising it. Iago uses his intellectuality as an advantage, e.g. convincing Othello that if Cassio has Desdemona’s handkerchief (a present from her husband) then obviously they have a special relationship.
Iago succeeds in persuading Othello that his wife, Desdemona is committing adultery with Cassio. He does this in a number of ways that make it more convincing. Firstly, he asked Emilia (his wife) who is also Desdemona’s mistress, to bring back to him the handkerchief that Desdemona’s beloved Othello gave to her and place it in Cassio’s bedroom. Desdemona has always treasured this handkerchief and knows that she must not lose it, as it may offend her husband. Therefore, when Iago shares news with Othello that he found Cassio with the exact handkerchief he gave to his wife, he starts to get concerned that maybe his new spouse has already started cheating on him.
Secondly, Iago says, ‘She did deceive her father, marrying you; and when she seemed to shake and fear your looks, she loved them most.’
Iago is trying to show Othello that Desdemona turned her back on her father by marrying him, and her father was her owner and she should not have gone against his wishes. Now that Othello owns her, he cannot be sure that she is not going to turn her back on her him and commit adultery.
Othello increasingly begins to have doubts as to whether his wife is really committing adultery or not. He becomes insecure and does not know what to believe. Othello finds it harder each day, to take in all the false information that Iago relates to him.
The last piece of evidence that Iago has to show Othello, the conversation with Cassio about Desdemona/Bianca is the final blow, and Iago receives the reaction he wanted.
Another of Iago’s key characteristics is his ability to persuade. He corrupts Brabantio’s mind, and lets him think that Othello has abducted his daughter (Desdemona).
‘We come to do you service, and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse; you’ll have your nephews neigh to you; you’ll have coursers for cousins and jennets for germans,’ (1.1.106).
This is of the opening scenes where Iago slyness shines through. It is Iago’s first attempt to lie his way through and to get what he wants i.e. to give Othello a bad name. For Iago it was an easier and simple situation where he succeeded and made sure it looked like Othello is the villain who stole his daughter away. When really she had gone and married The Moor out of her own choice.
Iago also achieves the ruining of Cassio’s reputation. He says,
‘ For his quick hunting, stand the putting on, I’ll have out Michael Cassio on the hip, abuse him to the Moor in the right garb…make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me for making him egregiously an ass,’(2.1.298).
This shows that Iago is trying to let Othello know what his lieutenant gets up to while on his working shift. This makes Cassio look unreliable, shatters his status and unworthy. Due to his unwise decisions, he has to suffer the consequences of being in Othello’s wrath. As soon as Othello finds out what trouble Cassio has caused, he dismisses him. So far, Cassio has failed whilst Iago is gloating over his success of ruining Cassio’s life.
One of Othello’s weaknesses is his own gullibility. He believes whatever Iago says, and hardly question’s him. An example of Othello’s gullibility is; Iago says,
‘Yours, by this hand! And to see how he prizes the foolish woman, your wife! She gave it to him, and he hath given it to his whore.’
After Iago says this Othello does not question him once, and truly believes that Iago is telling the truth. He does this because he trusts Iago and would not see what Iago would get out of lying.
One of parts of Iago’s master plan was to destroy Cassio’s reputation. Iago made sure that if he couldn’t get the job as Othello’s lieutenant then nobody could. Cassio was torn apart. Iago practically forced Cassio to drink some wine and when he became drunk and lashed out at Roderigo his pride dropped too, showing them the real side of Cassio.
By making himself reluctant to tell Othello things, it looked as if he was trying to protect him and look out for him. An example of this is,
‘I see you are eaten up with passion; I do repent me that I put it to you. You would be satisfied?’
Iago is trying to tell Iago if it would be alright to put the blame on himself for Othello being driven crazy. This makes it look like Iago is sorry for what has happened and he has got nothing to do with it.
I think that Iago succeeds by being himself i.e. persuasive, reluctant to tell, intelligent, quick-witted and adroit. He succeeds by talking to each character alone and confirming to them what the other characters are doing and how. He would only be successful if none of the characters discussed with each other of what is happening, otherwise Iago would be in an extreme dilemma, which he would not be able to get out of. It would cause mayhem, as each character in turn would realise that Iago has been spinning them lies. Eventually his lies are thrown back in his face and he gets caught out.
I think that what brings Iago to his downfall is that the characters he is lying to are bound to find out what Iago is up to, one time or another. Therefore, Iago prepares himself for this, and plans the biggest plan yet to come, to kill all the characters involved. This way all his lies would be kept safe and there would be nobody could deny them either.
I think that this Shakespearean play evolves around Iago and everybody lives through his lies. Without Iago, there would be no Othello.
My opinion of the success of Iago is that, where he got up without being caught out is admirable. I don’t that any other character in the play would have been able to survive that, or have the talent to go on like that either. I think that a character would have to be mentally strong to be a character like Iago.
