The Destruction Of Honest Iago In William Shakespeare's Othello

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Known for creating notable characters who through will and perseverance greatly affected the structure of their respective story worlds, William Shakespeare did not disappoint in his creation of the character Iago in his tragedy Othello (Sanfacon). Iago is accredited with being one of the most heinous villains in all of Shakespeare’s works. Dissolute in being, Iago blamed others actions on his own malevolence and used his reputation as the “Honest Iago” to attain selfish gain (II, III, 355). When Iago sparked the match of doubt in Othello, he indirectly led to the downfall of many fellow characters in the play and the deaths of Othello and Desdemona. Despite Iago’s motives remaining vague throughout the play and their frequent evolution, Iago’s…show more content…
In his second soliloquy he has a revelation, stating “will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin / And let him find it. Trifles light as air / Are to the jealous confirmations strong / As proofs of holy writ. This may do something. / The Moor already changes with my poison. / Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons / Which at the first are scarce found to distaste, / But with a little act upon the blood / Burn like the mines of sulfur” (III, III, 369-377). Iago is under the impression that when more than one person is deceived, the truth is harder to find (Sanfacon). Cassio, the one who could unravel Iago’s plan by revealing the truth, is now manipulated and unsure of the truth himself. In doing this, Iago is able to cover his path of lies and manipulation, disabling Othello to detect his lies. Already fueled by his jealously towards Cassio, Iago points out the smallest thing to a jealous man can blow up in his face, leaving him scarred with hatred, and furthers his plot by placing Desdemona’s handkerchief in the room of
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