Iago is one of the greatest literary villains of all

time.
How does Shakespeare use the dramatic form to characterise Iago
as evil?
Shakespeare uses many dramatic techniques within his plays to reflect
and provide insight into his characters. This is illustrated in the play
Othello, particularly in Act 1 Scene 3, where the use of language
techniques, staging and structure of the play allows the audience to have
insight into Iagos thoughts and develop a greater understanding of his
character. Through the effective implementation of these techniques, it
can be drawn that Iago is one of the greatest literary villains of all time.
Shakespeare effectively uses language to reflect Iago, through imagery
and juxtaposition. This is clear when Iago is plotting to bring down Othello,
where he says, Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the
worlds light. Shakespeare uses both dark imagery and juxtaposition to
emphasise Iagos duplicitous character. This is highlighted through the use
of hell and night in comparison to the worlds light, where the polar
opposites symbolises Iagos dramatic character changes, and in turn
portrays Iagos evil character. The oxymoron monstrous birth also adds
to this effect, as the opposing meanings of the two words contradict each
other. Birth, usually related to happiness and innocence, paired with
monstrous gives the audience further indications of Iagos deceptive
ability to conceal his true evil thoughts.
The stage directions of Othello also enhance the evil character of Iago.
This is evident during Iagos soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 3, where he stands
alone on the stage, freely voicing his evil plans and thoughts to the
audience. The specific positioning of Iago reflects Iagos internal isolation
from the rest of the characters. As the characters only know Iago to be
honest and good and have good impressions of him, in reality, he is
an individual in his evil thoughts, as no one shares his manipulative and
cunning nature. The effective staging allows the audience to visualise the
idea of Iagos separation from society, providing insight into Iagos
individualistic and incomparable evil character to the audience.
The structure of Iagos soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 3, also effectively portrays
his evil character. This is demonstrated through the pentameter, rhyming
and the order of the soliloquy. The pentameter of Iagos soliloquy ends
with a strong beat in nearly every sentence, I hate the moor, reflecting
his masculinity and strong-minded personality. However, a few lines end
on a weak beat, The Moor is of a free and open nature/ that thinks men
honest that but seem to be so, occurring when Iago seems to be talking
about the good qualities of Othello. Giving the audience another

perspective of Iago, this seeming nice side of Iago proves his ability to
deceive others without them knowing. Shakespeare does not write any
part of the scene in rhyme, suggesting the hardness of Iagos character as
there is no rhythmic flowing sound. This effects the way in which the
Iagos soliloquy is read, as the words do not flow on to each other, unlike
Othellos flowing music-like speaking, creating a major contrast in the
characters, and in turn reinforcing Iagos evilness.
The order of which Shakespeare constructs the soliloquy also reflects
Iagos evilness. It begins with Thus do I ever make my fool my purse,
where the language is low modality and the tone is neutral. In the end of
the soliloquy, Iago says I havet. It is engendered. Hell and night must
bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light, where the tone is darker
and high modality words must, havet, are used. These techniques
provide insight into the character of Iago, as it allows the audience to
follow the constant switching of personality, and witness his true
manipulative and deceptive nature. Through this, it is clear the
Shakespeare uses structure to reflect and provide insight into Iagos
character.
In conclusion, Shakespeare implements many dramatic techniques such
as language, staging and the structure of the soliloquy to reflect Iago.
These techniques are effective as they allow the audience to see Iagos
duplicitous character and make connections between his true personality
and the way he presents himself when he is alone and with others. The
contrast between his two personalities shows his ability to manipulate and
deceive others, and rapidly change faces in certain company. His almost
natural and instinctive reactions to these changes shows his true inner
evilness that comes out. Therefore, it can be seen that Iago is one of the
greatest literary villains of all time.