Iago's Engaging And Complex Villain In Othello

In Iago, Shakespeare has Created an Engaging and Complex Villain who Governs the Actions of the Play. Discuss

Shakespeare's character of Iago is seen as one of the most intriguing and deceptive characters ever created. His menacing and complete control over the play and how he so easily toys with the course of the performance draws in all those observing his act and leaves his victims grasping for straws of reality amongst a bed of hoaxes. In order to understand how Iago operates one must first understand the play. In brief summary Othello is the story of a high ranking soldier who falls in love and elopes with his wife. His ensign Iago sets out to destroy Othello and his recently promoted lieutenant, Cassio. How Iago brings all their lives …show more content…
‘Even now, now, very now an old black ram is tupping your white yew.' Iago is using imagery to bring home what he is saying to Brabantio. He describes Othello as an old, black ram. He emphasises that Othello is older than Desdemona and is black; Iago's using imagery to spark off a sense of protection in Brabantio. The use of beastial imagery repulses Brabantio and the audience, making the pain in Brabantio's breast sharper and Iago's words carry with greatter effect. Iago also uses a tricolon, or list of three, to build up his point and work up the sense of intensity and vigour in what he is saying. The complexity of his language is clear to see and he uses it to control other characters. Another example would be; ‘we cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed.' Iago uses a triple negative to confuse Roderigo, and the speed with which Iago delivers such complex sentences confuses and bewilders Roderigo who cannot cope with what is being said and is drawn in by Iago and taken into his …show more content…
‘Rouse him! Make after him, poison his delight.' Iago speaks in the imperetive, he is issuing a command, he is directing Roderigo what to do and where. Iago dutifully follows for no reason except that he's been to told to. Iago must be engaging in order to establish such a solid connection with Roderigo that Roderigo will do exactly what he says. ‘Lead him by the nose like asses are.' In his soliloquy Iago is saying what he will do; he will take hold of Othello and lead him astray. He is so sure of his power and control over others that he admits openly to his power, he makes no denial over the control and influence he commands through use of his language. If he wasn't engaging then he wouldn't have been able to create such strong bonds as he has in place in order to completely control his fellows, who trust him blindly, going with him like lambs to the