Characterization Of Iago In
William Shakespeare’s Play “Othello”

William Shakespeare’s “Othello” is a tragic play that reveals the evil characteristics of a man and his intentions. Antagonist Iago is a sly man, led by jealousy and revenge to Othello, whom he pretends to love. Iago despises his own wife, desires money, and manipulates with people who trust him.
He is disrespectful towards his wife and despises women. In his conversation with Desdemona and Emilia, he says that even if a woman is beautiful, wise, has self-control, and is a lady of virtue, she still is only meant “to suckle fools and chronicle small beer.” But he also despises her because he has suspicions that she cheated on him with the Moor.
“I hate the Moor; And it is thought abroad, that ‘twixt my sheets
H’ as done my office: I know not if ‘t be true;
But I for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as it for surety.”
To Iago, Emilia is just someone he can use for his own good. He does not love her. She was useful to him when she got Desdemona’s handkerchief. But that is all his wife was to him – just a part of his evil plan. He did not even hesitate killing her, just to save himself. This proves how selfish he was, thinking only about his own good. It also shows that he had no conscience, and no sense of right and wrong.
Iago is greedy and manipulates with people. Before going to Cyprus, Iago repeatedly tells Roderigo to “put money in [his] purse,” which shows Iago’s greed. And since he keeps the money to himself later, it only proves his love for money and himself. Roderigo is one of the people he manipulates. He knows that Roderigo is madly in love with Desdemona and uses that against him by saying that “it cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moor.” This gives hope to Roderigo that Desdemona would eventually fall in love with him. Iago plays with