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The Credibility Of Iago's Jealousy In Othello

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Throughout the story Othello by Shakespeare, it is commonly believed that the moor’s jealousy leads to the tragic events in Othello, it is actually Iago’s jealousy that causes it. Iago plays a proficient role in the cataclysm of all the major characters within the play, definitely characterizing him as evil and cold hearted. Iago is a deceptive individual who lies and manipulates in the hopes of seeking revenge. He is portrayed as a villain and is known as a degenerate because of the naive chaos he creates between Othello, Desdemona, Roderigo, and Emilia. Iago is suppose to be a loyal servant towards Othello, nonetheless Iago grew disdain and irrational towards Othello and used his alleged loyalty to carry out his plans towards his downfall. …show more content…

He believed almost anything that Iago had said to him even without providing any evidence. Othello not only trusted Iago but believed that he was an honorable man, hence why he’d always claim "Iago is most honest" (III.i.6). Despite that fact that Iago serves Othello and claims to be a close friend he actually loathes him because Othello chose Cassio to become the new lieutenant instead of him. “I have told thee often, and I retell thee again and again, I hate the Moor” (I.iii.407-408). Iago’s jealousy caused him to unquestionably ruin the relationship between Desdemona and Othello without the slightest sense of any shame or regret. Iago’s plan of revenge worked out perfectly, “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee” (1.3.333-334). Iago’s manipulation led Othello into believing that Desdemona was truly unfaithful towards him. He manipulated him with his words and used his insecurities to create doubt within his mind. “Whereto we see in all things nature tends— Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank, Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural—But pardon me—I do not in position Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear her will, recoiling to her better judgment, May fall to match you with her country forms and happily repent” (3.3.268-278). Iago also uses Othello’s race in hopes of believing that there is something "unnatural" and "off" about Desdemona because she decided to marry a black man instead of a man who is of "her own degree and complexion”. Iago absolutely can be considered as a villain because he's uses lies and manipulation upon others to his own

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Iago has always been truthful and trustful to Othello. Seeing the pass up for a promotion that Iago had more experience with, made him mad. Othello says "I think thou dost; And, for I know thou 'rt full of love and honesty(3.3).” This quote is arrogant to the play

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He tells him that she is having an affair with Cassio so that she is having intercourse with Othello. Iago shows signs of fixed mindset. His mind is fixed on getting revenge on Othello so he comes up with a “evil” plan to destroy Othello’s life. Iago is motivated by hate because he didn't move on from the thought that Othello is doing wrong by Desdemona. “ I hate the moor” ( Act 1 Scene 1 Line 171-174) .

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Othello’s confidence for a loyal man to maintain honesty and morals are contradicted through Iago’s actions: “in a man that’s just / They are close dilations, working from the heart, / That passion cannot rule” (3.3.123). Iago, due to the understatement to his name, is not perceivable as hateful. Othello’s willingness to sense Iago’s distress, and to believe his accusations, is because of the lack of awareness Othello has for his vengeance. Iago is of such little power and relevance within societal ranking that if he were to have intentions to sabotage anyone, which he does, are not considered, thus making him easily trustworthy to those of greater dominance. Society’s view of an individual determines how others consider and surmise their persona, though these conclusions may be false.

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Iago knew that Othello trusted his character to the point that he would believe essentially everything Iago told him. "I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, And let him find it. Triffles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writs. This may do something. "(III.iii.320-324).

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Instead of fighting for Desdemona and pushing for her, he beings to believe in this illusion of her that Iago is portraying. Slowly but surely Othello’s mindset changes throughout the play and he beings to develop a sort of “fixed mindset”. In the article written by Duckworth the following is stated, “…every human quality that has been studied has proven to be affected by a person's environment”, this quotes proves how we as humans are affected by the environment we find ourselves in. Therefore, knowing Othello was around Iago so much it is not that hard to picture why Othello began believing in Iago’s made up lies. In act 5 scene 2 Othello states, “I would not kill thy unprepared spirit.

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Unfortunately, he trusted the wrong person due to his growing lack of self-esteem. Iago, a hypocrite who hid his evil thoughts by appearing as a man of extreme honesty, saw that he could erode Othello’s self-esteem because of who he was, a moor living in European society. He realized he could manipulate Othello for his own evil ends. He slyly used pathos to gain his trust, saying, “My Lord, you know I love you” (III.iii.118) to convince him of his honesty and reliability. Then he suggested the unpredictable nature of Desdemona by saying, “Ay, there’s the point: as, to be bold with you, not to affect many proposed matches of her own clime, complexion, and degree, whereto we see in all things nature tends - Foh!”

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In the play Othello, William Shakespeare creates an elaborate tragedy with various in depth characters, enhancing the story with powerful characterization. Iago, the main antagonist of Othello, exemplifies Shakespeare’s use of characterization to create in depth and complex characters. Using his manipulative nature, intellectual mind, egotistical attitude, and dishonesty, Iago controls the other characters in order to achieve his goal, leading Othello to succumb to an overwhelming jealousy causing his downfall. In order for Iago to gain control of the characters in the play, he manipulates Othello, Roderigo, Cassio, and more to believe false information and turn on one another.

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In Othello, it is jealousy that ultimately leads to the downfall of three characters, Roderigo, Othello and Iago. " O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green eyed monster" (III.iii.163). Although, Othello is not the only play where William Shakespeare has made jealousy a central motivator. He did it in Macbeth also. Jealousy has many faces between these two plays and in both they lead to the downfall of characters.

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Throughout the play, he would often talk about Iago in the same manner as in Act 2, scene 2, “a man he is of honesty and trust”( II,ii. 323-324). Given that Othello trusted who he thought was his best friend, it was easier for Iago to bring Othello down. The root of Iago’s evil intentions is jealousy, which he describes to be like a “green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (III,iii. 196-197). He speaks of it in a way that captures how it affects man because that is what he was going through after Cassio got the lieutenancy.

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He is manipulative and tells Othello to “observe her [Desdemona] well with Cassio” (Shakespeare, 3.3:197). Iago feeds Othello with countless lies and makes him miserable with something that is not factual. He is determined to get revenge and he does not realize Iago stands insincere. Furthermore, Iago is selfish when he tells Othello, “I am yours for ever” (3.3:479). He betrays Othello yet still let’s him depend on him for his own

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Iago also manipulates Othello with jealousy. When Othello is gone at war, Iago tells him that Cassio and Desdemona were getting too close. At first Othello does not believe him, but by Iago saying “nothing,my lord; or if- I know not what” Othello starts to question if it is true (III. III. 39). Iago constantly uses his “innocence” to make Othello jealous and start to assume that it is true. These actions eventually lead to a tragic event.

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Iago is a unique and complicated character. He is intelligent in that he is able to manipulate people and events in his favour, which he thrives on throughout the play, classifying him as the antagonist of the play. Driven by jealousy and hatred, Iago plots against Othello to destroy his character and reputation. Knowing that if he foolishly attacked such a respected man directly, he would be sentenced to death. As a result, he devises to use other people to obtain what he desires by influencing the characters in the play to suit his plan.

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In many stories, there are villains who seem to control how the characters act by manipulation. These kinds of villains use multiple techniques to get what they want and to execute their plans. The techniques are used to affect the characters in a negative way in favor of the villain. In Othello, the antagonist Iago, plays that role. Iago affects the characters’ lives in a negative way by his honest reputation, his ability to “read” people, and how he “proves” to be Loyal.

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Kolin observes that Iago stands out among Shakespearean villains since he is the only one to survive his own monstrous acts (25). Unlike Richard III, apart from telling stories, Iago carries out a downright fraud through other means of manipulation, which makes him the most evil and intelligent character. To be exact, Iago is a puppeteer who sets up scenes to deceive the “credulous fools”—Othello, Cassio and Desdemona (4.1.45). Iago talks to Cassio about Bianca while telling Othello that the subject of their conversation is the Moor’s wife. He is so smart and careful that he even gestures Othello to come closer when Cassio is about to illustrate how Bianca entangles him.

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In the play Othello, written by William Shakespeare, Iago appears to be a clever and manipulative character from the beginning. He attempts, and succeeds, to sabotage the Othello’s, relationship with his wife Desdemona. Throughout the play, he conceals his true character and as a result, other characters see him as honest, reliable, and trustworthy. He gains Othello’s lieutenant Cassio’s trust, then backstabs him. He also uses Roderigo, a Venetian, as a piece in his puzzle to ultimately take down Othello.

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