Iago's Fraudulent Honesty: A Man Who Loves Hate And Hates Love

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Iago’s Fraudulent Honesty: A Man Who Loves Hate And Hates Love

Iago’s personality is a constant alteration between his outward appearance, his “nice side” and his inner self, his “dark side.” In Shakespeare’s Othello, as in any other story, the main character affects the story and what events unfold as a result of their actions. Who is the main character? Perhaps surprisingly, it is not necessarily Othello, the title character, but rather Iago, the true manipulator of evil.

Part of Iago’s genius is how he appears to the citizens (and elite) of Venice and most importantly, to Othello himself. His outward appearance is calm, persuasive, making him a very likable character. Iago’s first such appearance is with Roderigo. To the naïve young man Iago is intelligent, smart and reliable. Iago takes full advantage of Roderigo’s lust for Desdemona, promising him sure elopement with Othello’s wife if Roderigo assists him. Also, early in the play, Iago manipulates Barbantio into assisting him. There are other examples of how the others trust him. Cassio trusts Iago to take over for him when Cassio goes to join the party in Othello’s honor. Even to minor characters like Lodovico, Iago’s opinions are respected; like when he advises Lodovico to watch Othello and see for himself what has happened. But perhaps it is most important to see how Othello himself perceives Iago. Already very early in the play, it is seen how Iago makes himself seem very loyal to Othello. He warns his general about Barbantio’s anger over Desdemona’s alleged kidnapping. Most significant is the fact the Othello trusts Iago more than any other character. However, he is the most dishonest character in the play. These two major extremes make for a very dramatic plot. Othello takes everything his “trusting friend” says as fact without even reconsidering. Many times Othello calls Iago and honest man. Iago pledges his loyalty to Othello when Othello plans to kill Desdemona and Cassio. “Witness that here Iago doth give up/ the execution of his wit, hands, heart/ to wronged Othello’s service” [III.iii.528-530]. If it weren’t for his soliloquies, one would perhaps never even know Iago’s “dark side” as he is such a talented fake.

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Iago’s other side, his evil side is what makes him the villain and what leads Othello to eventually do what is completely unnecessary. Iago himself is aware of his inner evil. He knows that he uses his talent to hurt people. “I am not what I am he says. [I.i.71}. He later pledges allegiance to the devil, saying, “Hell and night/ must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light” [I.iii.446]. He even goes so far as to compare himself to the devil when he says, “When in devils will the blackest sins put on/ they do suggest at first ...

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