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Iago's Deception Essay

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Iago's Deception

Although one's lies and deceit may be justified of good reasons for themselves, it can cause catastrophe with others in the end. With each lie, comes a truth to it. As multiple layers of lies pile on each other, it misleads others into trouble. In Shakespeare's Othello, Shakespeare creates the character, Iago, to be an intricate and cunning person who's motives are fueled by revenge. Iago manages to deceive Roderigo, Cassio, Desdemona, and Othello himself, to get back for not being promoted to lieutenant. He targets Othello because he wants to get back at him for giving Cassio the promotion instead of him. Each lie he tells to these characters fuels their needs and he manages to play on what each of them want. Iago tells them what they want to hear and this sets themselves up for his big plan to bring down the Moor. His deception plays onto the play as a tragedy, and the brought down of Othello. From the beginning of the play, Iago is setting out to get revenge for not receiving the lieutenant position. His intentions are of deceit, but his external appearances to the other characters are of honest and act as a cover up. He doesn't seem to stop, until he sees the downfall of Othello, and his corruption. Envy is what drives Iago's lies and even Othello's downfall. Iago is consumed by …show more content…

His game plan is to make others look bad, while at the same time make himself seem like the honorable man. Iago plays on the characters weaknesses. "I'll pour this pestilence in his ear: That she repeals him for her body's lust. And by how much she strives to do him good She shall undo her credit with the Moor--So will I turn her virtue into pitch And out of her own goodness make the net That shall enmesh them all" (Shakespeare, II, iii). He states his plan to change Othello's honest image of Desdemona and Cassio and turn it against

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