Melissa Morillo
ENWR 105-95
Professor Hermosilla
April 1st, 2014
IAGO the Villain A tragedy has been presented in another one of William Shakespeare's famous plays, "Othello". Othello is a very complex play. There are several characters in each scene that play great importance to the resolution. A particular character in the play named, Iago, can be described as one of Shakespeare's most villainous characters. For the reason that, Iago's motivation for his actions are immature. Iago does very well at persuading other people to do what he wants. All throughout the play, he uses his skills to satisfy is jealousy and desire for a higher succession.

In the first scene, Iago seems to be upset with Othello for giving away the position for lieutenant to Cassio (I.i. 7–32). Iago was very jealous of Cassio that he was willing to do anything in his power to make anyone but himself look bad. At the end of Scene 1, Iago presents another issue with Othello. He believes that his wife, Emilia, has slept with Othello, “It is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets / He has done my office” (I.iii.369–370). At the end of Act II, Iago states that his suspicion once more, saying that he sleep with Desdemona just to get even with Othello “wife for wife” (II.i.286). Iago’s assumptions seemed to be drawn out of the blue and lack a reasonable explanation for his animosity towards Othello. In addition, he is eager to seek revenge on Othello, Cassio, Roderigo, Desdemona, and his wife Emilia. While he takes on his random vengeances he becomes satisfied with the outcome of his horror. Often, Iago is shown manipulating his friend Roderigo into doing what he wants. Iago forces Roderigo to make a full of himself in front Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, “Call up her father, Rouse him. Make after him, poison his delight, Proclaim him in the streets…” (I.i. 68-69). Roderigo follows by calling aloud showing how much of a puppet he was. Iago has a talent of treating the people around him like puppets all to satisfy his random desires. In Act III, Iago is able to persuade Emilia into giving him Desdemona’s handkerchief. He then uses the handkerchief as evidence and proves to Othello that Desdemona has given it to Cassio during one of the many nights they have spent together. He tells Othello, “…such a handkerchief—I am sure it was your wife’s—did I to-day see Cassio wipe his beard with” (III.iii 337-339). Iago is proven to be a liar but deceived to be a humble man full of advice. Othello trust Iago but Iago is only stirring him into a dark mental state. In Act II Scene iii, Iago has worked Cassio up so much that he mistakenly makes a fool of himself and ends up getting drunk on the job. Making a scene he picks a fight with Montano. Iago then persuades Cassio that he needs to fix his reputation with Othello by talking to his wife, “I’ll tell you what you shall do. Our general’s wife is now a general…Confess yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you in your place again” (II.iii 278-283). Cassio proceeds to talk to Desdemona and asks her to put in a good