What is the dramatic contribution of character of Iago in the play "Othello"

Essay by rmathu January 2003

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Throughout William Shakespeare's play "Othello" ,we learn a lot about the dramatic contribution of character of Iago , his insatiable desire for revenge, and constant deception of the entire cast. we are aware of this deceit through the dramatic irony employed throughout the play in the form of soliloquies and the ruse of the 'honest Iago'. He is a ruthless sociopath. Shakespeare employs the format of the tragedy to his play. No other character can even come close to his evil. He just has a burning hatred for the world, especially Othello. Shakespeare didn't just create Iago's character to be evil. He wanted him to be the epitome of it. Othello being the tragic hero, whose flaws are numerous: gullibility, ignorance, jealousy and the violence resulting in the murder of his wife. These flaws are all exploited by Iago, resulting in the downfall of all characters, including himself.

In the very beginning of Act I, this part of the play would have greatly affected the audience as in those days the populace were very superstitious as Iago has just arrived and blasphemes.

"'Sblood, but you will not hear me:

If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me"(I.i.1)

When scheme begins when the "ignorant, ill-suited" Cassio is given the position he desired. He is angry with Othello for making Cassio the lieutenant. Jealousy is his first motive. When speaking to Roderigo, he describes Cassio as a 'bookish theoric' with no practical experience in battle. He cringes that the system of promotion is not just stating that

"Preferment goes by letter and affection, not by the old gradation where each second stood heir to the first."

He later makes it known that he intends revenge on both Cassio and Othello, presumably for hurting his pride which is the illogical,