In Othello, by William Shakespeare, deception and betrayal drive the story.
From the start of this literary work, Othello’s friend, Iago, is piled high with jealousy and resentment. This is a risky mixture that signifies Iago’s betrayal to many other characters throughout this play. This scandalous deception is what instigates most of the drama and action in the play and causes the deception of many of the characters. The play begins with Iago spouting to Roderigo about not getting the job he wanted, and that it was given to a less qualified man, Othello. Iago states, “Three great ones of the city. Off-caped to him, and by the faith of man I know my price, I am worth no worse a place… For ‘Certes,’ says he, ‘I have already chosen my officer.’
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During the play Iago seems to transform from slightly conniving to very sinister. This alone contributes to the interest factor of the play. It is later disclosed that Iago does not simply desire revenge for Othello making Cassio lieutenant, but because he believes Othello slept with his wife, Emilia. “For that I do suspect the lusty Moor hath leaped into my sea…” These assumptions lead to a buildup of jealousy and an explosion of revenge, which adds drama to the theme of betrayal by giving the original problem something more to feed off of. Iago also betrays Desdemona when he decides to break apart her loving relationship because of his own emotional distress. The worst kind of betrayal is when someone has done nothing to deserve it, but somehow ends up in the pathway of destruction, like Desdemona. The betrayal of Desdemona is completely unexpected by the audience, and leads to a clever plot twist. Desdemona, being the innocent, high class lady she is, is the last person anyone expected to be in the middle of the deception and drama. This action against innocent Desdemona’s marriage shows that Iago doesn’t value anyone else’s life but his own, seeing nothing but