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How Is Iago Justified In Othello's Revenge

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When one has revenge flowing through their veins, they will do almost anything to accomplish that goal. Revenge is one of the most powerful feelings one can have; it makes a person able to commit any act, along with feeling justified for doing so. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago has this burning emotion in his heart and is willing to do anything to get his revenge. Iago is dangerously manipulative yet he is the smartest person in the room. Iago has discovered a rumor of his wife, Emilia, wooing Othello, the man who also passed Iago on a promotion to lieutenant and gave such a position to Cassio. This would make anyone furious; however, Iago sees potential to correct what he perceives as an injustice. Iago explains his motivation for …show more content…

He is able to turn the tables on everyone just by the choice of his words. Iago then dispatches a plan to bring Othello to believe his wife Desdemona is unfaithful, and here is where Iago's mischievous plan begins: “Cassio's a proper man. Let me see now: / To get his place and to plume up my will / In double knavery—How, how? Let's see. / After some time, to abuse Othello's ear/ That he is too familiar with his wife./ He hath a person and a smooth dispose / To be suspected, framed to make women false. / The Moor is of a free and open nature, / That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, / And will as tenderly be led by th' nose/ As asses are. / I have 't. It is engendered. Hell and night / Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light” (1.3.435-447). The way that Iago is able to deceive those who know him is due to his title as “Honest Iago,” which he then takes great advantage of by planting false information into a gullible mind. The diabolical plan that Iago constructed played out just as he had …show more content…

Iago possesses the intelligence along with being impenitent. “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on; ” (3.3.195-197). There is this hold on Othello which Iago has planted. With this hold on a man with such power and certainty of his wife being faithful, it is truly astonishing how Iago is able to persuade Othello’s thoughts. Despite being incredibly intelligent, Iago does have at least one weakness: the belief that no one can discover all that he has buried beneath lies and deceit. It is a dangerous game if a person uncovers his lies or begins to question him, such as when Roderigo has suspicions of Iago keeping his money. Iago manipulates poor Roderigo in order to reassure him. When a man like Iago feels threatened, they are most likely to protect their interests no matter

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