Character Studies er Studies


Till I am evened with him’. In his insatiable desire for vengeance, he manages to fool everyone, especially Othello who constantly refers to him as ‘honest Iago’. He is also trusted by Desdemona and soon takes advantage of her basic good nature to ‘enmesh them all’ in his paranoid scheme of revenge.


Iago’s Character Development ‘Work on,


My medicine, work!’ (Act 4 Scene 1, l.52–3)


Š As the story develops, Iago gains the confidence of all the main characters and manages to keep controlling them by taking advantage of their failings. He continues to delight in manipulating his enemies, in being the one who is truly in command. Iago is extremely astute and clearly enjoys ruining people’s lives. Always pragmatic and plausible, he does it with a sense of craftsmanship, appreciating his own clever ingenuity and the thrill of the risks he takes.


The vengeful hatred Iago feels for Othello is powerful in its


determination to wreck and ruin. He controls Roderigo as a pawn


and exploits Cassio’s every innocent move – single-mindedly motivated to cause chaos that will result in tragic consequences.


Š Ruthless versatility is another of Iago’s most notable characteristics. He constantly improvises in unexpected situations and adapts his language to suit whoever he is speaking to. He flatters Roderigo (‘Why, now I see there’s mettle in thee’) simply to gain his trust. When Iago is with Desdemona, his words are tenderly supportive: ‘do not weep. Alas the day!’ With Othello, he resorts to giving graphic details about Desdemona’s infidelity that reflect the jealous Moor’s worst fears. Iago understands that Othello is


Othello


compassionate and naive, ‘of a free and open nature’, and he takes full advantage of this at every opportunity.


Š Cassio’s weakness for drink makes him a very easy target. While appearing to offer seemingly practical advice, Iago exploits this character flaw to have the lieutenant demoted. As his influence increases, he displays a contempt for women, suggesting that they are all promiscuous. His attitude to Emilia typifies his innate disrespect for people in general. Knowing that she is desperate to please him, he uses her to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief and then dismisses her as ‘a foolish wife’.


Š However, it is in Act 3 Scene 3 (often referred to as the ‘jealousy’ or ‘temptation’ scene) that we see the ensign in his true element. His relationship with Othello is complex, veering at times between hatred and love. Iago pretends to be an honest – but reluctant – witness. His apparently casual remarks are carefully rehearsed. ‘Ha! I like not that’ is a particularly subtle indication that he is genuinely concerned about Othello’s marriage.


Most of Iago’s success comes from his extraordinary resourcefulness in taking opportunities and turning circumstances to his advantage. He is also helped by luck (as when Emilia finds Desdemona’s handkerchief) and by the way all the major characters play into his hands so easily.


Š Having planted doubts about Desdemona in Othello’s mind, the ensign becomes more confident, specifically reminding the Moor of how she has already deceived her father. As Othello increasingly falls under his control, Iago presents him with further ‘evidence’ of Cassio’s dream and introduces the sensitive matter of the handkerchief. In convincing the Moor that he has made a dreadful mistake in trusting Desdemona, Iago has his greatest triumph. His pride is satisfied when he is appointed lieutenant, but his duplicity still knows no bounds.


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