Iago’s Success as a Villain in Shakespeare’s Othello Essay Example

Till I am evened with him, wife for wife.

Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor At least into a jealousy so strong. (II. i. 268-274) In the play, Iago is no longer a rational human being but is like a devil that has come to torment the characters in the story. He is a madman manipulating people to the point of insanity. He does not just deceive Othello but he also deceives Roderigo, and Cassio. He encourages Roderigo to wait until Desdemona gets bored with Othello. He manipulates Roderigo so he can continue to provide him with money.

He also deceives Cassio by trying to help him get back to his position as a lieutenant but he is indeed leading him to greater trouble with Desdemona and Othello. He also lies to Montano and convinces him of Cassio’s character and he lies to his wife Emilia about his plans for the handkerchief of Desdemona. To Desdemona, Iago is a "slanderer" (II. i. 112) and "a most profane and liberal counselor" (II. i. 157-159) when he tries to disturb her with unpleasant descriptions. But she tells Cassio that Iago is "an honest fellow" later in Act III Scene III.

To Emilia's opinion, Iago is helpful because she says to Cassio: "I warrant that it grieves my husband As if the cause were his" (III. iii. 4-5). Before Iago is discovered, Cassio thinks highly of him. He says to Iago: "I humbly thank you for't. I never knew A Florentine more kind and honest" (III. i. 36-38). Iago is successful as a deceiver due to his ability to convince and persuade people by his sweet words. He

also plans out his schemes. He is pretentious, sly, cunning, imaginative and creative in making up stories such as the alleged dream of Cassio.

He is so successful that Othello brings his own downfall. Though Othello is known to be a good person and soldier but with Iago's lies, he became an irrational man. He trusted Iago more than he should have trusted his wife. If he confirmed the truth first from Desdemona, he would not have been deceived by Iago to believe Desdemona’s alleged infidelity. In conclusion, Shakespeare's Othello is a great success as a tragedy because of the character of the great villain Iago. Indeed, Iago has triumphed in causing the failure of Othello.