Iago: The Perfect Villain

When goodness begins to look boring, evil starts to look alluring. In the play Othello, written by William Shakespeare Iago is exceedingly manipulative and is a master of planting seeds in the minds of each individual in the play. He carries out his scheme against Othello cleverly without anyone pointing fingers at him. Iago is captivating for his most awful trademark and qualities that make one villain stand out from another. In the play Othello Iago is a character who should be praised rather than despised.

First, the trust of the pure is the liar's most helpful apparatus. Iago utilizes the trust of each individual in the play to manipulate them in order to achieve his goal. The first person in the play that is manipulated by Iago is Roderigo.

Thus, this is one of the reasons that makes Iago a perfect villain. Iago takes action towards his plot by telling Roderigo about Othello and Desdemona's wedding. And later on informing Brabantio about Desdemona and Othello’s Marriage. “I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.” ( Act 1,Scene 1, Line 116). To carry on with his plan he warns Othello that Desdemona's father is coming. Furthermore, it is Iago who encouraged Roderigo and drove toward the allegation against Othello and Desdemona. By siding Othello in an argument with Brabantio shows the evil side of Iago and he can not be trusted. After the Duke approving the marriage, Iago takes his next step. He convinces Roderigo that there is an affair between Desdemona and Cassio. “The lieutenant tonight watches on the court of guard. First, I must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him.” (Act 2, Scene 1, Line 210). Additionally, he persuades Roderigo to battle with Cassio keeping in mind the end goal to get Cassio in a bad position by getting him drunk. Due to which Cassio loses his position as Othello’s lieutenant. In other words, he advises Cassio to ask Desdemona’s help as she is the wife of the Moor. Iago then begins with small comments and remarks towards Desdemona’s loyalty.“ Lie with her! lie on her! We say lie on her, when they belie her. Lie with her! that's fulsome. Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief!.” (Act 4, Scene 1, Line 35). Iago organizes a discussion with Cassio where Othello overhears it and he is tricked into thinking that they're discussing Desdemona. Indeed, they're discussing Bianca who is infatuated with Cassio. Due to which Iago is successful in becoming Othello’s lieutenant and Othello taking Desdemona’s life. Therefore Iago is successful in carrying out his plan and achieving his