Iago virtues & flaws

Virtues:
Iago is essentially an evil man. Yet he is also charming, witty and extremely intelligent and the audience finds it hard to resist this mysterious villain.
Charming: Iago manages to convince Roderigo that there is still hope when all hope seems lost no more of drowning, do you hear?. Yet moments later he
manages to convince Othello that he could barely contain himself when he heard Roderigo speak rudely about his master nine or ten times I had thought to
have jerked him her under the ribs. Iago delights in the irony of the situation and at times the audience (who unlike the characters on stage know exactly what
Iago is up to) almost expect him to wink at them! For example, at the end of the temptation scene, with a completely straight face, Iago proclaims witness you
ever burning lights above that here Iago doth give up the execution of his wit, heads, heart to wronged Othellos service. The sheer brazen cheek of this
villain seduces us and we are unwittingly drawn into his despicable schemes because he confides in us throughout in his many soliloquies and asides. He makes
us feel intelligent, unlike those who are duped on stage, because we know whats really going on, and this makes us like him despite ourselves.
Witty: Iago is a master of sexual innuendo. His outrageous explicit descriptions of Desdemona and Othellos sexual exploits are completely inappropriate but
also quite funny: Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe! youll have your daughter covered with a barbary horse your
daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs. Few people would have the nerve to talk to a man about his daughter in such explicitly
sexual terms. Iago is also openly misogynistic in front of his wife and Desdemona, describing women in colourful terms: you are pictures out of doors, bells in
your parlours, wild cats in your kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended, players in your housewifery and housewives in your beds. His happy-
go-lucky demeanour allows him to get away with being extremely cheeky in his comments, slagging them off for seeing sex as a chore: you rise to play and
go to bed to work. He tries to make everything about sex once again when on night duty with Cassio, trying to draw him into a lecherous conversation about
how good Desdemona must be in bed she is sport for love Ill warrant her full of game. What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to
provocation.
Lucky: All the cleverness in the world couldnt guarantee success for Iagos Machiavellian plan; he also needed a dose of pure old-fashioned good luck! This
occurs in the temptation scene when Emilia picks up the handkerchief Desdemona dropped and gives it to her husband. He also gets a lucky break which helps
his plan along after Othello overhears Cassio speaking about his lover (Iago designs this so Othello mistakenly thinks Cassio is talking about Desdemona when
hes actually referring to Bianca) and then Bianca enters and waves it about, scolding Cassio for gifting her some other womans love token.
Popular: perhaps one of the most confusing things about Iagos character is his immense popularity. Perhaps up to this moment he was actually a nice guy! He
has an excel end reputation and is repeatedly referred to as honest Iago by all of the other characters. Nobody seems to realise until the very end of the play
that he is in fact a demo-devil. When Othello has to leave his new wife Desdemona, he entrusts her to Iago offering high praise (a man he is of honesty and
trust) and when he is forced to choose between trusting Iago and trusting Desdemona, he chooses his friend above his wife.
Unhappy: Perhaps we feel sorry for Iago on some level because his life is so miserable. He is stuck in a job he hates, filled with resentment because he missed
out on a promotion and now has to watch a young lad take what he considers to be his rightful place. He is stuck in a marriage to a wife he despises and has an
utterly cynical view of life and of love. Yet he must once have been ambitious, or else why is he so disappointed when he doesnt get the promotion? And we
can assume he once loved his wife; after all, the thought of her with another man drives him crazy (the thought whereof doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw at
my innards) although this may have more to do with wounded pride than genuine love and affection! Perhaps he simply resents having a black man as his boss
and dislikes the thought of his wife sleeping with his boss because it makes him look like a fool.
Thrill seeker: Iagos plan is risky from the very beginning. All it would take for his entire scheme to unravel is some honest communication between the main
characters. Furthermore, he has little to gain, other than revenge for some ill-proven wrongs, if he succeeds. So why does he do it? Iago seems fearless, seems
to thrive on danger, on testing himself to the limits of his manipulative skill, quite consciously proclaiming this is the night that either makes me or for does
me quite yet nonetheless proceeding, despite the very real possibility that he might get caught and punished.
Intelligent: signs of Iagos intelligence are almost too numerous to document. Having informed Brabantio of Desdemonas elopement, he cleverly disappears
so that he cannot be accused of disloyalty to Othello. We also quickly discover that Iago is an opportunist who is resourceful at turning any situation to his
advantage. For example, he challenges his secret ally Roderigo to a duel when the search party arrives looking for Othello, ensuring that neither he nor his
purse will be injured if a brawl ensues. His plan to use Cassios courteous manners to imply that Desdemona is being unfaithful is ingenious and
simultaneously takes advantage of Othellos outsider status, insecurity and desire for certainty and decisive action when he feels he has been wronged. He
cleverly convinces Roderigo that his main love rival is Cassio, then uses Roderigo as a puppet in his schemes (Roderigo is the one who provokes the brawl that
leads to Cassios dismissal) to ensure that no-one suspects him, Iago, of any wrongdoing. In fact he gets others to do his dirty work whenever possible thus
keeping his hands clean and his reputation unsullied. He pretends that the valiant soldiers of Cyprus will be insulted if Cassio will not drink with them, then
feigns loyalty to Cassio when Othello demands an explanation I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offence to Michael Cassio..
Yet he still gets his way. Cassio is fired and Othello begins to doubt his own judgement of character.
However, Iagos true genius is most vividly evident in the temptation scene. He preys upon each characters weaknesses to manipulate and bamboozle
them. He uses Cassios shame and reluctance to face his former employer to his advantage, using reverse psychology to slyly suggest that Cassio has something
more to hide I cannot think that he would steal away so guilty like. He subtly implies that both Cassio and Othellos reputations may be in jeopardy good
name in man and woman is the immediate jewel of their souls and then uses the derogatory term cuckold, warning Othello dramatically O! beware my
lord of jealousy. Here Iago shows remarkable psycholological insight, cleverly manipulating key facets of Othellos personality. Firstly, he senses that Othello
is insecure and subtly suggests that it is strange that Desdemona chose Othello as a husband, rejecting marriage proposals from those of her own clime,
complexion and degree. Secondly, he exploits the fact that Othello is an outsider to Venetian society and is thus socially inexperienced. Iago insinuates that
Venetian women frequently cheat on their husbands yet are experts at hiding their deception. After all, Desdemona did deceive her father in marrying
Othello. Thirdly, Iago knows that Othello is very trusting so he implies that unfortunately not all men are like this: men should be what they seem. Fourthly,
he knows that Othello has a vivid imagination (after all, his storytelling skills are what won Desdemonas heart) and thus claims that Cassio has been talking
explicitly about Desdemona in his sleep. Iago knows that Othello wont be able to cope with the intense jealousy and anguish which floods over him when
presented with vivid images of how Cassio laid his leg over my thigh, and sighed and kissed even going so far as to describe Cassio as with her, on her,
what you will to further provoke Othellos rage. Iago knows that Othellos pride will not let him allow such betrayal to go unpunished. Fifthly, he knows
Othellos handkerchief was given to him by his mother and is thus of great sentimental value. In claiming that Desdemona has callously given away this symbol
of love such a handkerchief did I today see Cassio wipe his beard with Iago is indirectly suggesting that she has not just disrespected him, their love and their
marriage, but also his mother, his family, his past and his culture and traditions. Finally, Iago uses the fact that Othello is a man of action who is used to making
decisions quickly and acting on them immediately (would I were satisfied) to provoke him into rushing to judgement without too much investigation. He
even uses reverse psychology, pleading with Othello to let her live knowing full well that Othellos anger and inner turmoil are too powerful in this moment
(damn her lewd minx) for him to be capable of mercy. Thus Iago corrupts Othellos feelings for Desdemona and transforms him into a jealous monster hell-
bent on revenge.
Iago turns subsequent events to his advantage, confirming Othellos suspicions. He claims that Cassio has been bragging about his conquest of
Desdemona. He convinces Othello to hide behind a curtain and spy on him and Cassio this shows how deeply Othello is now under Iagos control, for at the
beginning of the play he refused to hide! Iago then proceeds to talk in lewd and disrespectful terms about Bianca, all the while pretending to Othello that they
are talking about Desdemona. He convinces Roderigo to attack Cassio, which allows him to keep his hands clean and gives him the opportunity to dispose of
Roderigo, who has started to demand his money back now thats hes broke. He cleverly casts suspicion on Bianca for the attack on Cassio; after all, whos
going to believe a prostitiute when she professes her innocence? Iagos main failure is over-confidence and under-estimating his own wife. Ultimately, despite
his ingenious scheme, he does get caught, but not before he has achieved the destruction he set out to achieve.
Flaws:
Iagos evil nature is immediately evident he is a liar and a cheat who delights in inflicting pain and suffering on others. He is also (in no particular
order) selfish, disloyal, jealous, vengeful, paranoid, cynical, over-confident and unrepentant.
Liar: our first impression of Othello comes from Iago, who claims he is arrogant and selfish loving his own pride and purposes. Yet it soon becomes clear
that this view of Othello is an outright lie. Iago later admits as much when he acknowledges that Othello is of a constant loving noble nature. Nothing he says
can be trusted, for as Iago admits himself I am not what I am. He even swears by Janus, the God of liars.
Cheat: Iago has cheated the gullible Roderigo out of his wealth (put money in thy purse) and delights in making him look like an idiot (thus do I ever make
my fool my purse).
Disloyal: he pretends to help every character in the play at one point or another but at all times he is merely loving his own pride and purposes / suiting himself.
As he admits to Roderigo I follow him to serve my turn upon him. He tries to convince Othello to hide from Brabantios search party you were best go in
knowing full well that this would just make Othello seem guilty and as though he has something to hide. Having engineered Cassios downfall, he comforts him
and manipulates Cassio into trusting his advice to confide in Desdemona promising shell put you in your place again. He destroys Othellos peace of mind
yet still manages to make Othello feel that he owes Iago a great debt for his loyalty. Othello at one point proclaims I am bound to thee foreve. Even
Desdemona eventually turns to Iago in distress after Othello calls her a whore, asking pitifully Oh good Iago, what shall I do to win my lord again? and he
immediately pretends to comfort her Do not weep, do not weep. Alas the day! reassuring her that it is just some business of the state that troubles her
husband. Despite causing nothing but misery and suffering for Roderigo, Iago manages to convince him to attack Cassio. So, as I said already, every character
is manipulated and hurt by Iagos schemes but all the time hes pretending to help them.
Jealous: Iago is jealous of the promotion Cassio received commenting bitterly mere prattle without practice is all his soldiership. He is also quite possibly
jealous of the power and influence Othello has in Venice; of the loving relationship which exists between Desdemona & Othello, which is in stark contrast to
his own marriage and of the seductive effect Othello and Cassio both seem to have on women.
Paranoid: he suspects Othello of sleeping with his wife Emilia, even though he has absolutely no proof it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets he has done
my office. Later he admits I fear Cassio with my night cap too. Either his wife is a total slut or Iago is completely paranoid
Amoral sadist: Iago delights in the suffering of others. Of Brabantio he says rouse him, make after him, poison his delightplague him with flies. Of
Othello he says if thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a sport. He gets a sick thrill at the thought of using peoples virtues against them,
commenting of Othello the Moor is of a free and open nature and will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are. He relishes the thought of using Cassios
good looks and courteous manner against him, thus destroying both his reputation and Othellos marriage with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a
fly as Cassio. Even though he has no reason to dislike or hurt Desdemona, he is excited by the prospect of destroying someone so pure of heart so will I turn
her virtue into pitch and out of her own goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all. He freely admits that his plan is evil and twisted proclaiming hell
and night must bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light and the thought of wrecking the happiness of those who he feels have wronged him (Othello &
Cassio) fills him with glee oh you are well tuned now, but Ill set down the pegs that make this music. When Othello decides to kill Desdemona for her
betrayal, Iago relishes being the one to choose the method of execution do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.
He revels in the power and control he now exerts over his boss. He never loses his thirst for inflicting pain on others, commenting snidely when he sees Bianca
with the handkerchief see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife! she gave it him and he hath given it his whore. He enjoys twisting the knife in further
and observing Othellos torment. The thought that both Roderigo and Cassio may die fills him with satisfaction and when the plan backfires he wounds Cassio
and kills Roderigo without the slightest hesitation. Nor does he feel any guilt about casting suspicion on poor Bianca, whom he claims is angry with Cassio for
having jilted her.
Cynical: Iago values intellect above emotion, prizing the fact that we have reason to cool our raging motions and viewing love as nothing more than a lust
of the blood and a permission of the will.
Selfish: Iago believes that free will gives us the power to decide how we behave Virtue! A fig! tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. He puts himself first
at all times and mocks those who behave otherwise I never found a man who knew how to love himself.
Vengeful: Iago obsesses over the idea that his wife Emilia has slept with Othello I do suspect the lusty Moor hath leapd into my seat and is intent on
revenge (despite the lack of proof that this ever occurred) nothing can or will content my soul until I am evened with him wife for wife.
Over-confident: Iago seriously underestimates his wife and treats her with contempt commenting dismissively you are a fool, go to when she suggests that
some eternal villain has been slandering Desdemona and spreading rumours to hurt Othello Fie! There is no such man; it is impossible. Iagos not-quite-
fatal flaw is that he fails to see the threat she represents, even though she is the first person (following Othellos outburst) to figure out whats really going on.
At the beginning of Act 5, Iago kills Roderigo but he fails to dispose of the one man who can expose his plot as a mountain of lies: Cassio! In the final scene of
the play when Emilia discovers Iagos evil plot, he is once again over-confident that he can quieten his wife. When she refuses to be silenced he effectively
exposes his guilt by stabbing her to shut her up and running away.
Unrepentant: Iago shows no remorse and refuses to offer any explanation for his behaviour. When Othello fumes demand that demi-devil why he hath thus
ensnared my soul Iago replies arrogantly demand me nothing; what you know you know. From this time forth I never will speak word.
Even though he will be punished for his crimes, Iagos plan to destroy Othello and Desdemona was ultimately successful they both lie dead, alongside Iagos
wife Emilia and no punishment can equal the wrongdoing of this hellish villain.