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Iago In William Shakespeare's Othello

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Shakespeare’s Othello begins with Iago, who is disgruntled because the rank of lieutenant was given to Michael Cassio rather than to himself, already causing trouble for those in Venice by screaming out claims of Othello’s wrongdoings. The operations of Iago are what carry the plot of Othello forward and are what lead many to the fallacy of Iago being the lead. The actual lead Othello follows the inherent traits of mankind creating decisions based on morality, but Iago is unyielding to moral judgment and intends to complete his agenda no matter the repercussions. Iago wishes to take revenge on Othello and Cassio for stripping him of the position that he believes that he had earned. However, Iago does not desire the revenge he carries out to be swift, but rather in a long meticulous fashion in order to enjoy the suffering of his adversaries to the fullest. An unhuman personality is what leads to excitement being received from odious actions. Iago has put his pleasure in wicked deeds above all else and is willing to give up everything in order to achieve it. Through his own speech Iago refers to the pleasure that he covets and even uses animals to further convey his feeling of superiority over others. …show more content…

In a soliloquy, he clearly states his intentions of turning the tides of his misfortune upon those who had caused it. Iago aspires to make an “ass” out of Othello by tricking him into making Cassio his opposition. Iago displays his intention by saying “I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip, Abuse him to the Moor in rank garb”(2.1.327-328). He wishes to put Cassio in a state of disadvantage and then take that disadvantage and report it to Othello. Iago believes that by doing this he would be able to receive the rank that he truly deserves and get back at Iago for taking his rank, all while having his way with

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