Iago

• "Iago who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine."


  - This quote is placed at the very beginning of the play. In making Roderigo tell the audience that Iago "hast had [his] purse" as if it is Iago's, Shakespeare makes the audience aware of Iago's position and role from the very beginning. It is evident that Iago is a character who has control over other characters and manipulates those characters for his own benefit. Therefore, Iago's true character is revealed from the very beginning.

  - However, it is important to note that we do not know Iago well enough yet - we do not know much about him therefore we cannot assume that Roderigo's quote is a perfect description of Iago. Nevertheless, it sets a warning for the audience and reminds them that Iago does not have a good reputation amongst the characters.

  - Moreover, Iago's manipulative nature is evident. He takes control of Roderigo's money and finances, raising questions on whether or not, he controls other aspects of Roderigo's life. We are aware that Iago asserts power over Roderigo, foreshadowing Iago's assertion of power over Othello too, ultimately leading to his manipulation.

  
  

  SAID BY RODERIGO
• "I follow him to serve my turn upon him.

  We cannot all be masters, nor all masters

  Cannot be truly followed."


  - Iago's true intentions and true character is revealed from the very beginning. We know he is up to no good (dramatic irony), intensifying the tragedy - as, unfortunately, Othello, is not aware of Iago's duplicitous nature, rather, he puts full trust in Iago to the extent that Iago's 'love' and 'trust' replaces Desdemona's 'true love' and 'trust'.

  - Moreover, we begin to despise Iago. Although the play has only just begun, the audience is beginning to feel reluctant towards trusting Iago. First and foremost, Iago is presented as having manipulative control over other characters, and now, he has the ability to deceive other characters for his own benefit. We know he will be a threat.

  - It is also important to note that the quote "we cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed" is ironic. Whilst Iago makes us aware that he is not a master and that Othello is his master, what makes the quote ironic is the fact that Iago and Othello will switch positions. Othello will lose his role as an independent and level-headed general which make him a master. He will become unknowingly replaced by Iago's ability to manipulate him, giving Iago the ability to master Othello. This is tragic as it leads to the destruction of Othello. This is not just a tragedy which leads to the destruction of the relationship between Desdemona and Othello but also leads to Othello's destruction of influence and reputation.

  - Duplicity and two-faced.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, but seeming so for my peculiar end."


  - Iago's plan is made more evident and more known to us as the audience. He makes it clear to us that what he does is his for own personal gain and benefit, therefore presenting him as a prideful and selfish character. We cannot trust Othello.

  - Moreover, in saying that he acts for his "peculiar end", Iago raises concerns amongst the audience and acts as a warning for his future actions. We as audience are now are that all he does is done for his own gain, therefore, in any plan of his, we will be reluctant to believe him.

  - However, this quote is tragic. We as audience, are aware of Iago's duplicity and selfishness. Yet, Othello's inability to discern Iago's duplicity and selfishness is tragic. Othello devotes his trust to Iago as his military partner, yet he shouldn't. He will be manipulated and exploited by Iago for his "peculiar end"

  - Thus, in unknowingly being manipulated by Iago for Iago's "peculiar end", Othello becomes a victim of Iago's duplicity; he isn't the victim of Desdemona, as he believes. This results in Desdemona's wrongful and tragic killing, as well as Othello's rash and irrational murder of Desdemona.

  - If Othello was to have been made aware of Iago's duplicity as the audience was made aware, the play would have had a different ending.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "I am not what I am"

  - Duplicitous and two-sided nature of Iago's; there is an inconsistency between how he appears and what he really is like.

  - Reference to Exodus 14: "I am that I am" said by God. In distorting a Biblical verse of God's, Iago makes it evident that he is the opposite to an all-loving God, rather, he is a cruel character, almost devil-like. In saying so, it could be argued that the distortion of this biblical quote foreshadows Iago's intentions. Like the devil, he will make characters fall into the trap of sinning - for example, as seen with Othello and him becoming a murderer.

  - This quote also makes us aware of Iago's evil intentions, once again acting as a warning for the audience to not fall in the trap of trusting Iago. We should remain alert towards Iago's plans.

  - However, it is also important to note that in saying "I am not what I am", Iago takes on a mysterious role. We know that he is not how he presents himself to be, but what we do not know, is how he truly is. We are intrigued to find out more about him.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "Call up her father, rouse him, make after him, poison his delight, plague him with flies."


  - Disease imagery; disease is dangerous and deadly, anticipating Iago's plans as being deadly ones. Ironic, Iago's scheming will lead to Othello's, Desdemona's and Emilia's death.

  - Despite it being evident that disease is deadly, in repeatedly using language which is used to describe a disease - a "plague", Iago implies the extent of his plans and how dangerous they are. They are so dangerous that they can only be escaped by death.

  - Ironic - "plague him with flies"; he preys on the weaknesses of the characters and manipulates them to his own benefit, to the extent that they are plagued by Iago. Iago takes an unnatural position, giving himself power over people's lives and controlling their lives. There is no treatment for the characters that fall victim to him as they are plagued by him and cannot get rid of the plague unless Iago no longer exists. As long as Iago exists, his evilness (his plague) will extend to all characters, making them a victim of him,

  - "Poison" -> Witchcraft; in Jacobean times, it was believed that black people were the ones who were associated with witches and therefore, were to be feared. However, it is very ironic that it is not Othello who takes on a witch-like position. It is Iago.

  - Brabantio as a victim of Iago. So far, both Roderigo and Brabantio are Iago's targets. As the play progresses, Iago acquires more and more targets which shows how dangerous his plan is, but also how smart he is as a character. He is an opportunist, preying on the weaknesses of the characters.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "I must show out a flag and sign of love, which is indeed but sign."

  - Iago's tactic; he puts on a front for Othello but other characters, like Roderigo are aware of his duplicity. This raises questions; if Roderigo is aware of his duplicity to Othello, why does Roderigo trust Iago? Roderigo is naive.

  - "Show a sign of love, which is indeed but sign" -> heightens the tragedy. As the audience, we are aware that Iago's love is false, yet, Othello tragically falls victim to it, leading him to replace Desdemona's true love with Iago's true love and leading to Desdemona's killing.

  - Deception/duplicity

  - Appearance vs. reality

  - We begin to despite Iago. What he does is inhumane, yet to him it isn't. We begin to question the extent to which he will go for his own benefit.

  - Othello as a victim.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "I lack iniquity sometimes to do me service."

  - The first time we encounter Othello. Iago says this to Othello. It is evident that Iago puts on a front to Othello to make Othello trust him. Iago is not who he appears to be.

  - It is also important to note that Othello is beginning to become a victim of Iago. Despite knowing Iago for so long (as his military partner), Othello does not know Iago's nature properly.

  - Iago puts on a facade to hide his true nature. It could be argued that Iago uses the facade to gain Othello's trust and for his plans to not be discovered.

  - "I lack iniquity" -> exaggeration and duplicity; as the audience, we know that is far from true. Iago's deception and lies to Othello are a sign itself of iniquity, yet, Othello is too trusting to see the negative side of Iago. Moreover, in saying that he "lacks iniquity", Iago is implying that he is unable to do evil, which is ironic and tragic. Othello accepts Iago's statements as truth which shows his inability to think critically and assess situations individually, which makes him a victim of Iago.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "He prated and spoke such scurvy and provoking terms against your honour."

  "Sir"

  - Terms of endearment and respectful terms of address - "sir" and "honour". Iago manipulates Othello with his language, making Othello believe that Iago looks up to him, almost as if it is a privilege for Othello to be in Iago's life and therefore, Othello is likely to become more trusting of Iago, which leads to his downfall and makes him a victim of Iago's plan.

  - Moreover, in showing some degree of concern about Roderigo''s attitude towards Othello, Iago lures Othello into trusting him even more. Iago appears to be visibly distressed by Roderigo''s bullying of Othello although Othello was not present when it happened. Therefore, in making Othello believe that he is angered by Othello's treatment outside of his presence, Iago presents undying loyalty towards Othello, further winning him over.

  - It is also important to note, that, as a black man, Othello is very likely to have had no one to trust in Venice. Therefore, he is likely to be even more trusting of Iago as the only character to show him loyalty and respect.

  - Ironic, Iago is the one to have spoken "scurvy" and "provoking" terms, yet, he manipulates Othello into believing it was Roderigo who did. Iago is keeping on a facade out of fear that he will be discovered, therefore, his dirty work is done by other characters. OPPORTUNISTIC.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "By Janus!"


  - Two-faced Roman God - Janus.

  - In swearing to the two-faced Roman God, Janus, Iago makes his religious beliefs/worshipping beliefs evident. To Iago, the real God is not the Christian God which Jacobeans believed in, rather, it is the two-faced Roman God. As Iago swears and worships the two-faced Roman God, it suggests that Iago does not follow the Christian religious laws of "do not lie" etc. rather, his morality is based on duplicity. It makes it clear and known that all of Iago's plans are in line with his duplicity, otherwise, he would be doing a disservice to his Roman God.

  - Tragic; Iago makes his beliefs in the two-faced Roman God aware even to Othello. Why would he swear to a God he does not believe in? Yet, Othello does not acknowledge this. It could be argued that if Othello was more intellectual and had knowledge of the Roman Gods, his manipulation by Iago would have been prevented as he would have been able to discern Iago's true nature.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "Put money in thy purse!" x6 (in one paragraph!!!!)

  - Says this to Roderigo. He repeats "put money in thy purse" x6 to Roderigo.

  - Shows the power dynamic between Roderigo and Iago. In repeating "put money in thy purse", Iago wants to assert his control and power over Roderigo. He wants to control Roderigo's actions. It is evident that Iago is kind of insecure. He feels inadequate unless he has this control over someone.

  - Foreshadows the control he seeks over others. We can see that Iago wants to dominate. Tragic; Iago manipulates people for his own benefit. This leads to Othello's manipulation and his killing for Iago's plan to be successful.

  - Power and control hungry. Foreshadows Iago taking power and control over Othello to the extent that Othello loses his military abilities and general traits. It is as if Iago becomes the new general.

  - We feel angry as audience. We question why Roderigo is tolerant of Iago's behaviour? Roderigo appears to be a weak character.

  - Moreover, Iago's repetitions also denote a sense of anger. It is as if he is losing control and is aware that without control over Roderigo, his plans cannot go forward. Serpent like?

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "I hate the moor."

  - Duplicity.

  - Othello as his victim. He manipulates Othello with terms of endearment, "honour", "sir", "lord".

  - "Hate" creates a sense of conflict and anger, almost as if Iago's plans are dangerous because of the extent of despise he has towards Othello. We begin to fear for Othello.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse; but for my sport and profit."

  - Refers to Roderigo; Roderigo is his "purse".

  - Substantiates our view that Iago is full of pride and selfish. All of his actions and plans are for his own benefit. No one is safe. Not even Iago's closest 'friend' = Brabantio.

  - Once again, gives a reason for us to not trust him. All he does is for his profit. Therefore, acts as a warning that we should not trust Iago's plans.

  - "For my sport" -> implies Iago's manipulation of other characters is like a hobby. He finds joy from causing suffering to others which shows how inhumane and immoral Iago is. He is the devil. He is each character's worst nightmare.

  - We begin to despite Iago even more. His treatment of people is inhumane, yet, to him it is fun. Shows that he has abandoned all morals, therefore, it will not be a shock when he see how he acts. It is expected.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "To abuse Othello's ear that he is too familiar with his wife."

  - Evil; devil-like. Gets pleasure from abusing and manipulating others. He enjoys making other characters suffer.

  - Abuse - torment; Iago's plans can be dangerous to Othello mentally and physically, which foreshadows Othello falling in a trance and losing self-control.

  - "Abuse" could also imply Iago taking control over Othello, taking on the general role, manipulating and exploiting Othello for his own benefit which is a form of abuse.

  - Arguably, the only time Iago is honest - he discloses his plan to the audience in his soliloquy. He forms an intimate relationship with us as the audience. He wants us to trust him.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "The Moor is of a free and open nature, that thinks men honest ... and will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are."

  - Iago as an opportunistic but also intelligent character. He is able to discern every character's flaws/weaknesses and is able to prey on their weaknesses for his own benefit. This is tragic as he is aware of Othello's flaw - easily influenced and easily trusting, which makes Iago's plan easy to achieve.

  - "Asses" - animalistic imagery, dehumanising; solidifies his prejudiced views towards Othello. He compares Othello to an animal, implying Othello is not worthy of human treatment, therefore, implying that Othello's mistreatment is acceptable because of his race. Iago attempts to make his plans excusable so that his reputation and name remains intact.

  - Othello as a victim - exploited.

  - Soliloquy; creating a relationship with the audience.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to light."

  - "Monstrous birth": A reference to Othello and Desdemona's marriage. Iago over-dramatises and exaggerates the evil nature of their relationship. Just because it challenges convention, that does not mean it is monstrous.

  - Iago exaggerates the marriage between the two to manipulate the audience into believing that his plans are justified. Their marriage goes against social norm, therefore, it is acceptable to treat them this way.

  - Once again, Iago is trying to justify his actions and remain as innocent as possible.

  - "Birth" is twisted; it refers to something deadly.

  - Reference to "hell and night" - typical of a tragedy. Iago's plans would not go forward if it was light; the truth would be found out too quickly. He is a smart character.

  - Soliloquy

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio."


  - Soliloquy; makes his plans known to the audience. Once again, creates an intimate and personal relationship with the audience.

  - Honest!!! PATTERN: He is only honest when he admits his plans.

  - Opportunistic; he also preys on Cassio. Although Cassio's courtesy is not a weakness, Iago is able to transform it into a weakness, which shows the extent of his intelligence and his ability of being a successful manipulator. He is able to use anyone for his plans to go ahead.

  - Foreshadows to the audience that Cassio will become Iago's pawn which is tragic. It feels as if Cassio's kindness and goodness is exploited, and similarly will be used to kill Desdemona. Desdemona killed for the mistakes of men.

  - It could be argued that Iago's plans may not be able to go forward without the weaknesses and flaws of others. He could have plans, but his dirty work being done through others is what keeps his plan going.

  - He is well-calculated.

  - "Ensnare" -> trap, unable to escape; once again Iago asserts his control and power over others.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "As honest as I am"

  - Said to Othello
• "Desdemona is directly in love with him."

  - We begin to see Iago's manipulation of the goodness of others, in this case, Desdemona and Cassio's courtesy. All characters fall victims to Iago's manipulation.

  - He makes his plan clear.

  - He tells this to Roderigo - his "purse". It could be argued that Shakespeare makes Iago admit to his plans in front of Roderigo to create trust between the truth, so that Iago's plans can succeed. In making Roderigo aware of his plans, Iago makes Roderigo believe that they have an intimate relationship built on trust. This makes Roderigo trust Iago even more and even gives Roderigo an incentive to help Iago because of the simple fact that Roderigo is entrusted by Iago with his plan.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "Do you find some occasions to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline?"

  - Iago entrusting Roderigo with his plan. Creates an intimate relationship between the two and gives Roderigo a feeling of authority and power as, for once, he has power and is not just Iago's "purse".

  - Manipulation of Roderigo; Roderigo as a pawn and as a victim.

  - Serpent: Iago gets other characters to carry out his dirty work.

  - We raise questions about Iago's ability. He judges Cassio for being a "spinster" when it comes to his military ability, yet, Iago has other characters do his work. Is Iago even a good soldier?
• "If I can fasten but one cup upon him ..."

  - Soliloquy; tells the audience his plan. This plan is significant because in preying on Cassio's weakness because he has "unhappy brains for drinking", Iago is able to demote Cassio and put himself in a better position to Cassio. As a result, Othello will use his most trusted soldier, making him trust Iago even more as his second-closest option. This allows Iago's plans to go forward. First of all, Othello will become more trusting of Iago.

  - Second of all, Cassio's drunkenness will result in a ruined reputation for Cassio and Othello's distrust towards Cassio because of his lack of ability to control himself. Therefore, Iago's lies that Cassio has betrayed Othello by making Desdemona fall in love with him seems plausible.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "I fear the trust Othello puts him in, on some odd time of his infirmity will shake this island."


  - Dramatic irony. We as the audience know that it is not Othello's trust of Cassio that "shakes the island", it is Iago's.

  - Dramatic irony; we are also aware as the audience that Iago is the one to get Cassio drunk, yet, Iago puts on a facade and appears shocked by Cassio's drunk presence. This manipulates and persuades characters such as Montano to believe that Iago is innocent.

  - Iago is well-calculated and smart. He has a way with words. He knows how to use his words to manipulate and win over people. For example, in this quote, he shows genuine concern for Othello. No character would even dare to assume Iago is the one causing chaos because of how concern he appears.

  - Ironically foreshadows the chaos that will emerge from his plan.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "I do love Cassio well and would do much to cure him of this evil."

  - Duplicitous; two-faced nature of Iago. We are aware as audience that he was the one to manipulate Cassio's weakness and get him to this state.

  - Iago is smart and well-calculated. He knows how to keep a clean slate and appear innocent. He knows how to win people over.

  - He keeps an innocent position by making himself seem genuinely concerned with Cassio because of the love he has for him. If we did not know of Iago's plans, we would fall victims to Iago's ability to act well.

  - Tragic; Iago has won over all characters, including Othello. This allows his cruel plans to go forward.

  
  

  NOTE: As soon as Othello arrives to the scene, Othello asks "Honest Iago" to "speak on who began this?" because of Iago's "love" and devotion to him. This shows Othello's faith in Iago. It is clear that Othello does not trust anyone more than Iago. Iago will be able to manipulate Othello's trusting nature. It is also upsetting that Othello asks the man who was the cause of this disaster, to explain the disaster. Iago will use this opportunity for his own benefit.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "Touch me not so near. I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offence to Michael Cassio. Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth."


  - Manipulative; forms his sentences and uses sentences to make himself seem as innocent as possible. DUPLICITY.

  - He seems emotional. He is a good actor. He knows how to manipulate someone psychologically too. In pretending that he is offended by Othello's suspicion (that he is possibly lying), he successfully manipulates Othello into believing that lying is not within his nature and therefore, would rather be abused and tormented than lie. This is an attempt of Iago's to present himself as being innately good.

  - Tragic; psychologically manipulates Othello into believing he is honest which leads Othello to trust Iago in his plans too and his assumptions too. Allows Iago's plans to go forward.

  - Othello is not really emotionally intelligent. He is gullible and is unable to discern Iago's dishonesty.

  - Iago is building on his trust with Othello. Othello is his puppet and Cassio is his pawn.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "I am an honest man."

  - Duplicity; a distortion of one of his first quotes: "I am not what I am". He changes his views and words according to the people he is surrounded by, to manipulate them further.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "You have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a loser."

  
  

  "Confess yourself freely to her."

  - Duplicity; further manipulates Cassio too and gains Cassio's trust. Despite being the one that causes Cassio's loss of reputation, Iago is the one to cause him comfort and make him feel better about the situation.

  - This is an attempt of Iago's to declare his false love towards Cassio in order to clear up his name and ensure that his reputation and position is not threatened.

  - It could be argued that Iago is also trying to assert emotional control over Cassio, without Cassio being aware. He is controlling Cassio emotionally, creating scenes and problems to make Cassio suffer, whilst Iago wins and allows his plan to go forward.

  - We also see Iago persuading Cassio on how to act going forward. He tells Cassio to "confess" to Desdemona. Once again, Cassio is used as a pawn by Iago for Iago's plans to go forward. Iago is one step closer to being able to manipulate Othello into believing that Desdemona is unfaithful.

  - NOTE: Cassio thinks Iago "advises [him] well"; ironic - he doesn't. Iago's advice is dangerous and causes a threat to Cassio, Desdemona and Othello. Iago has successfully manipulated Cassio and is able to retain his position as an honest man.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "In the sincerity of love and honest kindness."


  - Says this to Cassio after advising him on what to do moving forward.

  - Carries on maintaining his reputation as an honest and loving man. We wouldn't suspect that Iago is the one that caused this disaster!!!!

  - Cassio as a victim. We begin to feel for Cassio; he is an innocent target. We also begin to question why Iago exploits the kindness of certain people? It is understandable if he wants to seek revenge against Othello for wrongfully appointing Cassio as a lieutenant, but why does he seek revenge against Desdemona, Cassio and Roderigo? It could be argued that this play is more than a play of Iago's rise to power against Othello. It is Iago's rise to power above everyone.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "I'll pour this pestilence into his ear."

  
  

  "Work on, my medicine, work!"

  - Soliloquy; reveals his plan to the audience once again. Building on his trust with the audience as well.

  - Once again, uses language referred to witchcraft. He follows the stereotypes of black people in witchcraft more than Othello himself.

  - Pestilence -> poison - deadly; tragic - it foreshadows the deadly and cruel nature of his plan to most characters - Desdemona, Emilia and Othello.

  - Link to: "The moor changes with my poison".

  - Alliteration/plosive: enhances the harshness of Iago's plan.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "So will I turn her virtue into pitch."


  - Soliloquy - part of his plan.

  - He makes his manipulation of Desdemona evident. He will turn Desdemona's goodness into something evil. The fact that Iago is content with his plan and sees no issue in manipulating goodness into evilness shows the extent of his evilness - HE IS THE DEVIL INCARNATE IN THIS PLAY!!!

  - Tragic; Desdemona is presented as a sacrificial character. Her goodness is manipulated and used against her, and she is ultimately killed for her kindness. Just as Jesus is manipulated and killed for his kindness.

  - We feel sad for Desdemona and begin to despise Iago even more, for targeting another innocent.

  - Desdemona as his victim and pawn.

  - Tragic; we are aware Desdemona is virtuous, yet, she is wrongfully killed for not being virtuous.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress."

  - Emilia as his pawn. Iago probably believes that Emilia is stupid and therefore is able to manipulate her to carry out his plans. This however is ironic. Emilia is the only character to discern Iago's honest nature.

  - Tragic; we know Emilia is mistreated by Iago and therefore she is likely to fall into his trap of helping him just to gain some love. Yet, her desperation for love leads to the killing of innocent Desdemona.

  - Foreshadows Emilia getting the handkerchief.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest."


  - Manipulation and deception.

  - Cassio says this about Iago.

  - Upsetting and tragic; Iago has successfully manipulated Cassio. It could be argued that if Iago was not successful in manipulating Cassio and Cassio would not have deemed Iago as "kind and honest", then Iago's plans would have been revealed.

  - Ultimately, it is Iago's ability to manipulate characters about who he is as a character that allows his plans to go forward.

  - Iago is a smart character. He executes everything perfectly.

  
  

  SAID BY CASSIO
• "It is my nature's plague to spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy shapes faults that are not."


  - Iago tries to remain innocent. He is putting on a facade by implying that his assumptions can often be mistakes. In saying so, Iago also suggests to Othello that he has no evil intention through this assumptions, rather these assumptions are guesses which may not be true. Therefore, Iago attempts to make Othello feel as if he does not have to trust Iago, although Iago is aware that Othello has been successfully manipulated.

  - Nevertheless, in saying this, Iago also attempts to rid himself of any suspicion that he may be guilty. He attempts to make Othello believe that his suspicions may be wrong and therefore, Othello should be the one to choose if he should believe these suspicions. In a way, Iago makes Othello carry out his dirty work.

  - Well calculated.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "Credulous fools are caught."

  - About Othello. One of Othello's flaws is how "credulous" he is.

  - Othello as a victim of Iago's manipulation.

  - Smart and well-calculated character. Iago is now in control of Othello's mind because of his weakness.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "Now will I question Cassio of Bianca.

  He when he hears of her cannot refrain from the excess of laughter."

  - Soliloquy.

  - Tells his plan to the audience - builds on this intimate relationship with them.

  - Another character is introduced into Iago's plan - Bianca. Bianca becomes his pawn too.

  - Once again, takes a serpent-like role; he makes other characters carry out his plans for him. Arguably quite admirable - we do not know how he has gone so long without being caught. Perhaps Shakespeare's smartest character.

  - "Othello shall go mad, and his unbookish jealousy must construe poor Cassio's smiles, gestures and light behaviours."

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "Whether he kill Cassio or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, every way makes my gain."

  - Iago has a practical attitude and approach to murder. He is an opportunist. Regardless of the fact that someone is dying, it will benefit him, showing the extent of his cruelty and how evil he is.

  - Iago gets satisfaction from using people; selfish. Nothing could get more evil than Iago.

  - Necrophiliac?

  - Honest to the audience - intimate relationship.

  - Machiavellian villain.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "What villains have done this?"

  - Iago questions Cassio about his stabbing. As the audience we are aware that Iago orchestrated the plan and is the one to stab Cassio and Roderigo. (DRAMATIC IRONY)

  - Iago uses leading questions that he already knows the answers to, to convince others that he is a bystander and is innocent.

  - Manipulation

  - He puts the blame on Roderigo: "O murderous slave! O villain!". He uses Roderigo as his tragic pawn so his dirty work is carried out and he maintains his reputation. We as audience feel anger towards Iago and his ability to get away with pretending to be innocent. Some may not even feel bad about Roderigo being falsely accused because he was aware of his manipulation, yet, he still involves himself within Iago's plan.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!"


  - Despite being Iago's main tragic pawn, Roderigo is also the first character to see Iago's character as it is.

  - Tragic; Iago's character has been discovered when it is too late and outside of Othello's presence.

  - Makes Roderigo to some extent admirable. Although he has been treated wrongfully and been neglected by Iago, Roderigo makes it up for himself by revealing the truth about Iago.

  
  

  SAID BY RODERIGO