Why is Iago the most interesting character in Othello?

The most interesting character in the play Othello is the villain, Iago, commonly referred to as “Honest Iago”. Iago is smart, and well tuned to human behavior, and uses this knowledge to his advantage. He manipulates others to do things to help him reach his final goal; revenge on Othello and Cassio.

Why is Othello compelling?

The contrasting emotions experienced by the characters – passion, hatred, jealousy, envy – are as compelling today as they would have been for the seventeenth-century audience. Othello ‘s success also lies in its emphasis on a universal theme – love – which resonates in any age.

What kind of character is Iago in Othello?

Lesson Summary Iago is the antagonist in the play Othello by William Shakespeare. He is a manipulative man who develops a plan to destroy the lives of those he feels have wronged him.

Why is Iago an important character?

The character of Iago is of extreme and pivotal importance to the play as a whole. Iago’s ability to project a conflicting quality or emotion to the other characters enables him to exploit them. It is this quality that Shakespeare bestows on his villain which enables him to dictate the plot so brilliantly.

How is Iago a fascinating character?

Possibly the most heinous villain in Shakespeare, Iago is fascinating for his most terrible characteristic: his utter lack of convincing motivation for his actions. In the first scene, he claims to be angry at Othello for having passed him over for the position of lieutenant (I.i. 7–32 ).

What Othello can teach us all?

“Othello” is a cautionary tale. It prompts us to check our reflexive feelings and to be fairer and more generous toward those whom we might dismiss or pigeonhole. It also encourages us to be more forgiving of others’ trespasses.

How does Iago manipulate characters in Othello?

Iago manipulates the characters by revealing and exploiting their fatal flaws to bring about their downfall. Iago uses Othello’s jealousy of Cassio to make Othello believe he is having an affair with Desdemona. Iago uses Desdemona’s trust and love for Othello to bring about her downfall.

How does Iago presented in Othello?

Iago portrays Desdemona as lustful, desperate to trade Othello for a more refined Cassio. Iago refers to Othello not by his name but as ‘the Moor’, calling him ‘the devil’ (2.1. 216) and ‘defective’ (2.1. 220), a racist portrayal which makes Desdemona’s unfaithfulness more believable to Roderigo.

How does Othello feel about Iago?

Othello is known to be a character that expresses a lot of honesty especially in his previous speech in the play so for Iago to be honest with Othello shows that Iago is being serious and truly cares about him.