In the play Othello the most interesting character is Iago, who is commonly
called and known as “Honest Iago.” Ironically, this could not be farther from the truth.
Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate
others to do things in a way that benefits and moves him closer to his own goals. He is
smart and an expert at judging the characters of others. Because of this, Iago pushes
everyone to their tragic end.
Iago wants vengeance on Othello so he targets his wife Desdemona. He
slowly poisons people’s thoughts so they have distorted perceptions of reality, without
them even knowing he did such a thing. In reality, Desdemona is quite an outspoken
woman for her time. She pleas for Othello to have Cassio around so her husband can
have good, solid protection. This aides Iago as he uses it against her. He starts by
casually mentioning to Othello that he himself is a bit suspicious of Cassio and
Desdemona. He carries on gradually, ensuring that Othello can fully trust him every
step of the way.
I hope you will consider what is spoke
Comes from my love. But I do see you’re moved.
I am to pray you not to strain my speech
To grosser issues nor to larger reach
Than to suspicion (III iii 231-235).
He even says himself that the advice he gives is free and honest so Othello won’t
The Term Paper on Othello Iago Desdemona Cassio
... demands that Iago prove his insinuations regardingCassio and Desdemona. Unfortunately for her, Desdemona has dropped the handkerchief given to her by Othello. Iago "plants" the ... handkerchief in Cassio's room and cites it as the "proof" Othello ...
consider that he is just being fooled.
Iago’s plan of deception centered around Othello’s jealously over Desdemona.
The whole time, Othello holds Iago to be his close friend and advisor. Iago knows that
the icing on the cake must be some sort of visual proof. He has his wife Emilia steal
Desdemona’s handkerchief and give it to him. Iago then plants it in Cassio’s room to
imply that Desdemona must have given it to him. This “proves” to it to Othello. After
hearing Iago stack up the cards high against Desdemona, Othello is enraged and sure
that she must be having an affair with Cassio. Now Othello’s reaction to the whole mess
is that he wants to kill Desdemona. Iago’s deceitful plan is continuing smoothly.
Desdemona’s reputation of being unfaithful leads to her downfall. When she
denies the scam that Iago put against her, Othello doesn’t even believe her. Near the
beginning of the play, after Othello marries Desdemona, her own father, Barbantio,
warns Othello.
Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see.
She has deceived her father, and may thee (I iii 292-293).
Since she lied to her father about her marriage to Othello, people believe that
she is capable of all sorts of lies and deception. This is one reason why Othello fell for
Iago’s trap so easily. Iago sets up Desdemona’s reputation against her. Unfortunately,
Othello does not realize that she had been a faithful wife until after he had killed her.
When he finds out the truth, he cannot live with himself, being that he was so gullible to
Iago, that he also kills himself.
These tragic deaths were caused by Iago’s masterful way to manipulate the
people’s character and use it against them. He reconstructed reality in order to make it
the way he wanted other people to see it. They trusted “Honest Iago” and gave him the
reaction he wanted.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. “The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice.” Literature: An
Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Ed. X. J. Kennedy and Diana Gioia.
7th ed. New York: Longman, 1999. 1303-1399.
