Iago is the traitor and perhaps the most significant character in the play “Othello” by William Shakespeare. He is a man with a sinister plan of deception and death and loses focus of what he was formerly: a genuinely good husband and strong soldier. Necessity compels him to act and eliminate Othello; he must, therefore, tear down Desdemona, Roderigo, Emilia, and finally himself. This paper examines Shake Sphere’s play; it explores the conflicts between the dominant characters, their personalities, and their goals.
The personality of Iago often illustrates that it is reasonable for individuals to use others in society. Iago is conditioned to depend on others continuously, even his closest friends. Similarly, he is a tragic antagonist of the play, and his actions continuously result in tragedy and destruction. He deceives Othello into considering Desdemona unfaithful, resulting in a disastrous outcome; Othello, Desdemona, Roderigo, and then his partner Emilia all die mysteriously. Equally, Iago behaves as a companion to Othello, garnering his confidence to betray the promise eventually, “I am your own forever” (Shakespeare, 2021). However, his controversial words “I am not what I am” extensively feature his real character (Shakespeare, 2021). He is well known for and often connected to disruptions.
The other characters in the drama greatly adore Iago for his loyalty. Consequently, everyone consented that he was straightforward and truthful. He is conveyed as an “honest Iago” and is defined similarly throughout Shakespeare’s play (Shakespeare, 2021). Typically, when two individuals are at odds with one another, the conflict often takes multiple shapes, from physical aggression to vehemently opposed moral or philosophical stances. Nonetheless, he had initially told him that he “loved his free and Nobel ratio” (Shakespeare, 2021). Consequently, the irony theme dominates this section.
In the play, Iago is the epitome of absolute evil; he relishes having power over people, which makes him envious of Othello’s life, status, and beautiful wife. Much is said that Iago is a homosexual who despises Othello because he cannot have him all to himself. Equally, Othello is in strife with his confidant, Iago, who suspects Othello is after his fiancée, a disagreement that is exacerbated after Othello promotes another guy over Iago. Iago gradually eliminates Othello. His bitter words “Death and damnation” are granted when he succeeds with his suicidal mission (Shakespeare, 2021). In Othello, Iago’s use of deception prompts Othello’s jealousy to escalate out of control, ending in his final doom in the play. Iago planned against Othello for appointing Cassio as his lieutenant instead of himself.
For the better part of the article, Othello defies, overlooks, or seems unconcerned by the bigotry that follows him. However, he soon embodies Iago’s and others’ belief that his appearance makes him a barbarian. This idea and his perception of Desdemona’s culpability enable Othello to murder his wife. His words feature his perception of females, “They are lazy around the house except that they are active in their bed ‘(Shakespeare, 2021). Additionally, Othello is a social outcast who is bright and fearless in military affairs but insecure socially, evidenced by his tough words, “I will tear her all into pieces” (Shakespeare, 2021). He lives an intense lifestyle, fluctuating between victory and terror. Due to his background and life circumstances, he differs from the people around him, yet he shares their faith, beliefs, and patriotism in Venice. Othello’s key objective is to remain loyal to himself; he is filled with responsibility, honor, trust, respect, dignity, and the willingness to do the right thing.
In conclusion, everyone eventually dies at the end of the story except for Iago. Iago is the character who is meant to perish due to his evil thoughts and acts. Nevertheless, Cassio and Desdemona are murdered due to their loyalty to Othello, turning this narrative into a tragedy, “Death and Admonition.” The scene shows how anxiety begins to escalate when Iago formulates his plot. Ultimately, Iago stabs and executes Emilia in a futile attempt to keep his conspiracy hidden and is later imprisoned, while Othello, grieving his love, sacrifices himself beside her.
Reference
Shakespeare, W. (2021). Othello. (A. Schmidt & H. Ulrici, Eds.). De Gruyter.