Iago As A Great Villain In Shakespeare's Othello

Throughout literature, villains have always played important roles. Even though it is true that a great villain has to be relatable, the most important factor is creating a character that the reader truly hates or fears. In Othello, every action or event stems from one of Shakespeare’s simplest characters, Iago. Within the first scene, Iago is introduced as the main antagonist. His purpose is to elevate himself and preserve his manhood through means of manipulation, as well as emphasizing the themes of jealousy and and race through his relationship with Othello.

From the first scene, Iago reveals his amoral and egoistic nature. I believe that whenever Iago feels that his masculinity is being attacked, he chooses to manipulate the perceived