Feb 17 2008
Iago
The most interesting character in Shakespeare’s Othello is Iago, the man set out to destroy the Moor. He is in many ways the main character of the play, but he is also the villain of it. The fact that he often speaks about why he hates Othello and what he will do do ruin him make it easy for the reader to sympathize with him, though they should hate him. Though he is harming the Othello, his soliloquies induce the readers to support him and even wish for him to succeed in his efforts to destroy the hero of the tragedy. They also give him a multi-dimensional personality, especially in contrast to the way he behaves in the presence of other characters. While Othello is present, Iago appears nothing more than a respectful and even caring ensign. While in the company of Roderigo, he plays the role of a supportive friend. But in his monologues, Iago reveals his true personality: a manipulative soldier who has been injured by his general and whose thoughts are fixed on revenge. In comparison to Iago, the other characters personalities fall flat. They seem to exist solely for Iago to use them. He is the true mastermind behind the entire plot of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.
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