Iago

While reading the tragedy of Othello, I cannot help but think how incredibly brilliant, yet evil the great villain, Iago, is. Out of all the works of literature I’ve read/watched over my life span, I have never encountered such a dynamic character as Iago. The way he contorts people’s emotions and thoughts is stunning. He can do this because of the many masks he wears. He acts polar opposite from person to person. Iago feeds people what they want to hear and systematically controls their train of thought to cater to his every desire. Even when people question whether or not Iago is cheating them, he turns on them and makes them doubt themselves, and eventually leads them back to his control.

            The prime example of Iago’s superb psychological understanding is in his handling of Othello. Othello is Iago’s superior, and Iago despises him with every fiber in his body. This hatred stems from Othello not promoting Iago within the ranks of the Venetian army. For this, Iago desperately wants to bring Othello down. This is where his masterful mind control comes into play. Over the course of the play, Iago continues to suck up to Othello, causing Othello to fatally trust him. Also throughout the play, Iago begins to plant the seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind. His successfully leads Othello to believe his wife is cheating on him. Iago is able to do this through his situation manipulation. He is able to make things appear differently from what they are, just like his own personality.

Towards the end of the play, Iago leads Othello to believe Cassio, Othello’s lietenant, is cheating on Othello with his wife. He does this by placing a hankerchief, which Othello gave to his wife as a gift, in Cassio’s room, leading Othello to become suspicious and jealous. Due to his burning envy and fear, Othello misunderstands a conversation between Iago and Cassio. Othello believes they are discussing his wife, when really they are discussing Cassio’s significant other. Not only that, Othello, based of the misunderstood conversation, is convinced Cassio is sleeping with his wife. Iago’s superior control of the situation, relationships, and knowledge of human emotions leads to this tragic misunderstanding. He completely manipulated Othello’s thinking, and controlled him to do his wishes. Simply amazing. What beautiful, savage intelligence.