Appearnce vs. Reality Othello

" I am not what I am." What is Iago? Iago's actual personality is quite distant from what he pretends to be. In Shakespeare's Othello, the reader is presented the classic battle between good and evil. It is these forces of evil that ultimately lead to the breakdown of Othello. Othello's breakdown results in the murder of his wife Desdemona. Desdemona is representative of the good in nature. Good can be defined as forgiving, honest, innocent and unsuspecting. The evil contained within Othello is by no means magical or mythical yet is represented by the character Iago. Iago is cunning, untrustworthy, selfish, and plotting. He uses these traits to his advantage by slowly planning his own triumph while watching the demise of others. It is this that is Iago's motivation.
Iago uses the weaknesses of Othello, specifically jealousy and his devotion to things as they seem, to conquer him. From the start of the play, Iago's scheming ability is shown when he convinces Roderigo to tell about Othello and Desdemonda's elopement to Desdemona's father, Brabantio. Confidently Iago continues his plot successfully, making fools of others, and himself being rewarded. Except Roderigo, no one is aware of Iago's plans. This is because Iago pretends to be an honest man loyal to his superiors. Othello was reeled expertly into Othello's plans. He staged many things-having him eavesdrop on Iago and Cassio's conversation about Bianca, and also, Cassio wiping his beard with the sacred handkerchief. The fact that Othello himself views Iago as trustworthy and honest gives the evil within Iago a perfect unsuspecting victim for his schemes.
In deceiving Othello, Iago also deceived Desedemona. By getting her to plead with Othello to allow Cassio back into the order, Desdemona worsens Othello's suspicions of her unfaithfulness with Cassio…planted by Iago, of course. Unsuspecting Desdemona thinks she is doing Cassio a favor, when in actuality is making things worse for herself. Iago takes... [continues]

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