The Similarities Of Iago And Othello

Both Othello and Iago are fearless and poetic men who are overcome by the desire for revenge, however, Othello lacks the keen insight Iago has, and as a result, is ruined by Iago. Othello and Iago are both fearless and assertive men. Brabantio may try to terminate Othello’s marriage; however he will “Let [Brabantio] do his spite./[His] services which [he] have done the signiory/Shall out-tongue [Brabantio’s] complaints” (I.ii.17-19). Even though Brabantio may have the power to ruin Othello’s marriage with Desdemona, he is unafraid to what he may do and is undeterred by Brabantio’s malevolence. Just like Othello, Iago is also fearless and audacious when he advises Othello to “Demand [him] nothing. What [he] know[s], [he] know[s]./From this time forth [he] never will speak word” (V.ii.303-304).
Seeing as Othello and Iago are similar in being fearless, they’re poetic language is quite different.
Othello is passionate, sensual, and honest, while Iago is cynical, devious, and evil. Iago’s twisted self ironically warns Othello about jealousy: “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;/It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock/The meat it feeds on./That cuckold lives in bliss” (III.iii.165-167). It is ironic since the green-eyed monster is exactly what Iago is trying to promote in Othello’s heart and mind. Othello on the other hand is a confident and honest
man. Othello believes that “[He] must be found./[His] parts, [his] title, and [his] perfect soul/Shall manifest [him] rightly” (I.ii.30-32). Othello is truly confident in his worth and the righteousness of his actions. Although he is very much an outsider in Venice, he expresses his confidence in his ability and in his self-worth with his poetic language. Even though Othello is confident he lacks insight and his words are inarticulate. Othello thinks he "loved not wisely, but too well" (V.ii.344). It is true that he did not love wisely, but neither did he love too well. His marriage is based on admiration and pity rather than love since he does not trust his wife in the least. Othello is easily jealous and gullible as he believes everything Iago tells him about Desdemona. Unlike Othello, Iago has keen insight. Iago is happy because “Now whether he kill Cassio,/Or Cassio kill him, or each do kill the other,/ Every way makes his gain” (V.i.12-14). Iago’s insight allows him to manipulate many characters in the play. His scheming is directly responsible for the death of Roderigo, Othello, Desdemona, and his own wife Emilia. Therefore, though Othello and Iago are overcome by the desire for revenge it is Othello’s lack of insight that destroys him and it is Iago’s astute intuition that makes him successful until the end.