Othello #4 Analysis

            Iago’s villainous scheme against Othello is apparent throughout Shakespeare’s Othello. However, the motive behind Iago’s villainous scheme remains unseen until he begins to shape Othello’s perceptions of Cassio and Desdemona.

            Iago’s conversation with Othello signifies the villainous and cunning characteristics that are needed in order to manipulate individuals. Iago remarks that “Men should be what they seem; / Or those that be not, would they might seem none” (III, iii, 126-127). Iago denounces Cassio’s image in order to convince Othello that rather than men being what they seem to be, men cannot pretend to be men but be instead the monsters that they are. The image of Cassio is warped in attempt of convincing Othello that Cassio has affiliated with Desdemona. The driving force behind Iago’s actions can be tangible between revenge and pure evilness, yet Iago’s evilness is unambiguous when he states “There are a kind of men so loose of soul / That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs. / One of this kind is Cassio” (III, iii, 416-418). Iago constructs this falseness in order to lead Othello into confusion and anger. This villainous scheme enunciates Iago’s true motive for his actions: Iago’s revenge against Othello is spawned through his pure evilness he wishes to use against Othello. Iago’s manipulation eventually forces Othello to rethink his love for Desdemona and express Iago’s honesty when Othello remarks “This fellow’s of exceeding honesty” (III, iii, 258). Iago’s true motive behind his revenge against Othello is illustrated through his pure evilness that is conjured through his manipulative scheme.