Honest Iago
Honest IagoHonest Iago
Perhaps the most interesting and exotic character in the play “Othello,” by William Shakespeare, is “Honest” Iago. From some further reading I have done it seem that the popular opinion is that Iago is Shakespeare’s most evil character. Through what seem like carefully thought-out words and actions, though they are more the quick witted trait of a con man, Iago is able to influence others to do things to his benefit and for his “sport” or entertainment . He is the main driving force in the play, pushing Othello and everyone else towards their tragic end. Some one in class made mention that Iago directs the play and I could not agree more.
Iago is the quintessential villain. The role he plays is rather unique and complex; Iago is smart and he is a skilled judge of people and their characters and uses this to his advantage. For example, he knows Roderigo is in love with Desdemona and figures that he would do anything to have her as his own. Iago says about Roderigo, “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.” [Act I, Scene III,] By playing on his hopes, Iago is able to swindle money from Roderigo, making himself a profit, while using Roderigo to further his devious goals. He also thinks quickly on his feet and is able to improvise whenever something unexpected occurs. When Cassio takes hold of Desdemona’s hand before the arrival of the Moor Othello, Iago says, “With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.” [Act II, Scene I, Line]
Being as smart as he is, Iago is quick to recognize the advantages of the trust that his friends have in him and uses it as a tool to his advantage. Throughout the story he is commonly known as, and commonly called, “Honest Iago.” He even says of himself, “I am an honest man….” [Act II, Scene III, ] Iago is a master of deceit. His “medicine works! Thus credulous fools are caught….” [pg. 1284, Line 44] Iago slowly poisons people’s thoughts, creating ideas in their heads without implicating himself. “And what’s he then that says I play the villain, when this advice is free I give, and honest,” [Act II, Scene III,] says Iago, the master of deception; thus, people rarely stop to consider the possibility that old Iago could be deceiving them or manipulating them, after all, he is “Honest Iago.” His shrewdness and guile make him a truly effective villain. He is attractive and charming, witty and above all else “honest”. It is for these reasons that he is so effective in the evil role.
Another topic brought up in class is Iago in was too attractive to be a villain, or to personify evil. I am of the opinion that it is his attractiveness that makes him so effective in the villainous role. I cant help but think of villains like Mrs. Robinson in the movie The Graduate or Hannibal the Cannibal Lechter played by Anthony Hopkins in the movie The Silence of the Lambs. Because of the attractive natures of these characters their victims never see them coming, just like Iagos.