The Terrible Iago
In Shakespeare’s play Othello, Iago achieves great power through his ability to manipulate others,
reveals that people have become more trusting of each other. Iago uses his ability to
manipulate people in order to get Othello to believe in what he is saying. Since Iago is
the character in which Othello trusts the most, Iago must convince him that he is in fact
worthy and trusting. Using honesty, loyalty, and Rodrigo’s love for Desdemona Iago is able
to manipulate everybody.
When comparing honesty and dishonesty Iago and Desdemona are the two of
the characters that show it most. Iago manages to create scenes within scenes. He sets up
encounters between two characters and putting a third person in the position of a spectator. For
instance, he has Othello watch Cassio and Desdemona speak, and he has Othello watch him
speak with Cassio about his wife. In each case, Iago manipulates
Othello so that Othello sees the scene that Iago wishes him to see, rather than the
reality of what is actually happening. In this way, Iago has becomes a kind of
“director”—manipulating people as he pleases. Desdemona unlike Iago is a very honest
person. She is always honest with Othello down to the last moments of her life.
Desdemona seems dishonest due to Othello’s high opinion of Iago. Every time Iago
brought something up such as the handkerchief and Desdemona tells the truth Othello
chooses not to believe her and believes Iago. This decision has great consequences
because based off this Othello decides to kill his wife.
Loyalty plays a big role in Othello; it affects all the major decisions in the book.
One character that appears loyal but is disloyal is Iago. Iago pretends to be loyal to
Othello but he is really only loyal to himself. Besides Othello, he also manages to make
others believe in him. By acting loyal to Rodrigo he is able to make Rodrigo do his
bidding while remaining hidden from most
reveals that people have become more trusting of each other. Iago uses his ability to
manipulate people in order to get Othello to believe in what he is saying. Since Iago is
the character in which Othello trusts the most, Iago must convince him that he is in fact
worthy and trusting. Using honesty, loyalty, and Rodrigo’s love for Desdemona Iago is able
to manipulate everybody.
When comparing honesty and dishonesty Iago and Desdemona are the two of
the characters that show it most. Iago manages to create scenes within scenes. He sets up
encounters between two characters and putting a third person in the position of a spectator. For
instance, he has Othello watch Cassio and Desdemona speak, and he has Othello watch him
speak with Cassio about his wife. In each case, Iago manipulates
Othello so that Othello sees the scene that Iago wishes him to see, rather than the
reality of what is actually happening. In this way, Iago has becomes a kind of
“director”—manipulating people as he pleases. Desdemona unlike Iago is a very honest
person. She is always honest with Othello down to the last moments of her life.
Desdemona seems dishonest due to Othello’s high opinion of Iago. Every time Iago
brought something up such as the handkerchief and Desdemona tells the truth Othello
chooses not to believe her and believes Iago. This decision has great consequences
because based off this Othello decides to kill his wife.
Loyalty plays a big role in Othello; it affects all the major decisions in the book.
One character that appears loyal but is disloyal is Iago. Iago pretends to be loyal to
Othello but he is really only loyal to himself. Besides Othello, he also manages to make
others believe in him. By acting loyal to Rodrigo he is able to make Rodrigo do his
bidding while remaining hidden from most