AP Lit Othello Essay

Jeremy Leung
In addition to being one of the most treacherous villains in all of
Shakespeare, Iago is also one of the most interesting because he
combines such seemingly conflicting characteristics such as
intelligence, guile, and jealousy. In a well-written composition, examine
the motivations and the complex psyche of this villain in Othello,
discussing his contribution to the meaning of the play.
Iago, the main villain in Othello, is a rather complex villain in his cunning
jealousy which fuels the events of the play. Iago was driven by two main
motivations, to obtain the position of Lieutenant and to cause Othellos utter
destruction, which were enabled by his intelligence, two-faced personality, and
lack of guilt. The former motivation was an act of jealousy towards Cassio, while
the latter was an act of mad revenge against Othello. These motivations reveal
his harmful envy and unending desire of selfish gain, as well as his lack of
remorse. Iago chose to act in aggression rather than improving his own abilities,
contributing to the play by drawing out Othellos fatal flaw of mistrust as a tragic
hero, causing Othellos undeserved misfortune, and also revealing the plays
commentary on the notion of trust.
Iagos initial motivation was to obtain the position of lieutenant, believing
he was better than Cassio and worth no worse a place. He relentlessly ranted
about Cassios faults, of which all are never proven, stating that he never set a
squadron in the field and mere prattle without practice is all his soldiership.
Through manipulation and the utter destruction of Othellos sanity, Iago finally
obtained this position by undermining Othellos trust towards Cassio. As seen,
Iago is extremely jealous of Cassio because of Cassios higher position of
lieutenant over his position as a flag bearer, and this motivation was driven more
by envy than by the desire of achievement.
After obtaining the position of lieutenant, though, Iago does not stop in his
grand plan to destroy all his enemies, including the destruction of Othellos
sanity and marriage. He even falls in love with Desdemona out of spite for
Othello: Now, I do lover her too, not out of absolute lust but partly led to diet
my revenge. He is filled with both jealousy and hatred against Othello, since
the lusty Moor hath leaped into my seat and nothing can or shall content my
soul till I am evened with him. His goal was to make Othello become eaten up
with passion, since while Othello first asked for ocular proof of his wifes
disloyalty, soon after he ignores any proof and starts ranting in anger Ill tear
her all to pieces. When he finally meets Desdemona he repeats the
handkerchief four times in successive lines since Iago kept convincing him to
look for the handkerchief as ocular proof of disloyalty (his wife dropped it, and it
was fetched by Emilia). He drives Othello so mad that Lodovico questions, Is this
the Moor whom our full Senate call in all sufficient? Is this the nature whom
passion could not shake? He finally achieves victory when Othello is overcome
with grief and kills himself, only wounding Iago.
Iagos lack of remorse further characterizes this villainous Spartan dog.
At the end of the play, he scoffed, Demand me nothing, What you know, you
know. From this time forth I never will speak word. Instead of harboring any sort

of guilt and confessing his sins, Iago chose to stay silent and prevail as a
remorseless villain. He also laughed that who steals my purse steals trash,
indicating that his lies about Othello would only ruin Othellos reputation and not
that of his own.
The tragedy of the play is fueled and enhanced by Iagos actions. Without
Iago, all the tragic events would never have happened, including Othello losing
his sanity and relationship. As a tragic character, Othellos fatal flaw was the
mistrust of his wife due to the cunning words of Iago. He contributes to the
tragedy of play as well through crafting Othellos undeserved misfortune. It may
be argued that Othellos rash passion and anger towards his wife would have
resulted in the many consequences such as their divided relationship, but surely
Othello did not deserve to lose his sanity and his life. Iago is the catalyst that
drives the play and creates the tragic effect.
Iago also reveals the plays commentary on trusting others. Since the
beginning of the play, he had already been presented as a masked villain,
gloating that I follow him to serve my turn upon him. He only sought to take
advantage of others for his personal gain, including the abuse of his wife. He
mentioned to Roderigo, I am not what I am. Iago swears by Janus and
instructs that to be direct and honest is not safe, revealing his two-faced
personality. The play warns against people like Iago and also emphasizes the
importance of trust in relationships. If Othello had undying trust towards
Desdemona, he would hardly be swayed by Iagos words, and would ask
Desdemona to explain the disappearance of the handkerchief before rashly
deciding to kill her. As one of the most treacherous villains, Iagos complex yet
purely evil psyche strengthens the tragedy of the play and conveys much of the
plays commentary on humanity.