Iago's Influence On Othello

The character of Iago in William Shakespeare’s Othello is a villan in the play, as both the narrator and the primary instigator of change throughout the text. Iago plays a very important role in the tragedy. He poisons others’ thoughts, creates ideas in their heads. His ability to manipulate others, to find others’ weakness and to use other people are three important aspects that reveal his true nature and influence his interactions with other important characters. Iago’s attitude toward all the characters of the play is superior and he manipulates them for his own purpose. He uses his talent to judge people and their characters and to deceive others, to destroy their lives and create tragic events. The destruction of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage, dishonouring of Othello and the death of both Othello and Desdemona are key events that are fundamental understanding the larger themes of Jealousy framing the text.
Iago first started using his manipulation on Roderigo. He promises Roderigo that he could help him to get Desdemona but Rogerigo has to ‘put money in his purse’. As Roderigo leaves, Iago said ‘thus do I ever make my food my purse.’ This is an example of Iago tricking Roderigo. He used Roderigo’s lust for Desdemona and his foolishness to get a hold of his money to use it