Deceit A typical characteristic one can observe in many of Shakespeare’s plays is how people deceive one another, so their own personal desires can be met. “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark,” “The Tragedy of Orthello, the Moor of Venice,” and “Macbeth” all consist of characters that are not what they appear to be. In the plays Claudius, Iago, and Macbeth present to the public a wholesome image; however, each of them possess a hidden agenda that creates chaos in the plays which one can observe through their spoken lines and their influences. These three characters are antagonists who cause demise in their respective plays. These villains are willing to fight for what they want, even if the death and destruction total is high. Claudius, Iago, and Macbeth will not be undermined at all. These plays illustrate how much planning and work takes place when they plan their attacks against those who are oblivious to their deceit. Shakespeare’s evil doers are not simple people. Claudius’s character in “Hamlet” epitomizes what extent people go to, so their plans work as they intend. For example, King Claudius’s speech to the council and a few other people in Act I, scene ii seems to be a normal speech one would give after the death of a ruler to rally everyone together. He says, “To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom/ To be contracted in one brow of woe,/ Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature/ That we with wisest sorrow think on him/ Together with remembrance of ourselves” (Act I, lines 3-7). This speech leaves everyone unsuspecting of King Claudius’s foul ways, except Hamlet. They are unaware of the sacrilegious sin he has committed for the sake of the crown, the murder of his brother. His dark and sinister ways remain oblivious to his everyone around him. Most importantly, his wife, Gertrude, cannot find out that Claudius murdered her first husband, his brother, because he would then lose the crown. Unfortunately for Claudius, Hamlet discovers how the new King gained the crown. Hamlet is on a quest to reveal his uncle’s lies on behalf of his deceased father and to get back what is rightfully his. At first Hamlet appears as if he is going crazy, so the King utilizes that to make people weary of Hamlet and his actions. People are unaware of Claudius’s true character because he appears to be a good man who is decisive and fair in his politics. Basically, he possesses qualities of a worthy leader. How could someone like this murder his own brother? In “Hamlet” Shakespeare also shows how lethal such a person in power can be. Yes, some innocent people die at the hands or because of the actions of Hamlet; however, ultimately all the blame lies on King Claudius’s shoulders. If it was not for his murderous way of becoming King, everyone would have lived. The King’s decision to remain silent and continue to lie to people around him demonstrates how power clouds one’s decisions and causes him or her to fool everyone else around them. While Claudius lacks Hamlet’s trust in “Hamlet” Iago, a character in “Othello,” is able to faithfully gain the trust of the man he wishes to destroy. Iago’s character demonstrates how people will lie at all cost to get what they want. Although he is not a good character, one has to respect how ingenious he is. This man is able to manipulate people so they are fulfilling his purpose. Basically, others are completing his dirty work. Since Iago possesses an outstanding reputation in his community, no one suspects him of foul intentions. At one point in the play Iago states, “I am not what I am” (Act I, line 65). This shows how he acknowledges his immoral ways of being a liar and breaking promises without people knowing it. King Claudius in “Hamlet” destroys, so he can wear the crown; however, Iago has no justification as to why he wants to ruin Othello. Iago carries out his action because of his love for evil. Iago turns a man, Othello, against his wife only because Iago dislikes him. Although Othello has never committed any injustice against Iago, Iago moves on with his plans and involves many innocent people in his scheme to destroy Othello. Unknowingly, they contribute to the death of Othello and Desdemona. Iago makes it look like Desdemona has been unfaithful to Othello. Once Othello believes his wife violated their sacred marriage vows he kills her; however, once he learns the truth he then commits suicide. Once again, there is loss of life because of one man who abuses his position to purposely destroy lives. Othello shows nothing but respect towards Iago. Othello views Iago as a trusted advisor and someone of high caliber which is evident in Act III, scene iv. One can see Othello’s obliviousness to Iago’s deceptive ways when Othello says to Iago, “I greet thy love,/ Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous” (Act III, lines 469-470). He respects him and looks up to him because of the honesty trait Othello thinks Iago possesses. Othello has no reason to think Iago is an evil person who is out to destroy him. Another character in one of Shakespeare’s plays who is deemed as an honorable figure but acts otherwise is Macbeth. His ambitions get the best of him which provide the source of Macbeth’s downfall. Just like the characters in the other two plays, no one is suspecting of Macbeth’s sinful ways. The only person who is keenly aware of Macbeth’s intentions is his wife and that is because she is the instigator of his murderous trail. Macbeth gains respect from King Duncan because Macbeth is a war hero. Macbeth exemplifies how everything should be completed on the battlefield. Unbeknownst to King Duncan, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are plotting his murder to fulfill a prophecy one of the witches told Macbeth. Macbeth has been told he would wear the crown. Instead of waiting for the King to die a legitimate death, his wife challenges Macbeth’s manliness and demands he go ahead and carry out the murder. The King is unsuspecting of Macbeth. Why should he fear the man who has been going out and fighting wars on behalf of the King? One can see how Macbeth takes advantage of the King’s trust by inviting him over to his castle where the Macbeths play the perfect hosts up until Macbeth murders the King. After the King’s death, Macbeth’s character turns more sinister. By Act III, scene ii the reader can see how he has transformed into someone who holds no morals. Macbeth begins to plot the murders of other people to ensure the crown stays with him and his family. Macbeth is on a mission to get rid of anyone he deems as a threat without a care as to who they are. Macbeth plots the murder of Banquo and Fleance. This is a definite turning point in his character because of who Banquo is to him. Banquo is a fellow-captain and companion of Macbeth who faithfully served by Macbeth’s side on the battlefield. Ironically, after all of this time of guarding one another’s back in war Macbeth turns on him to try and prevent Banquo and his son from producing heirs to the throne. Just like King Duncan, Banquo was not privy to Macbeth’s wicked plans. Macbeth’s over zealous ways destroy him in the end. In Act IV it is evident how he believes no one or nothing can stop him when he goes to revisit the witches. The three prophecies he receives from this trip cause him to seek out Macduff and his family for the mere purpose of murdering them. This boldness results in Macbeth’s death because Macduff ends up killing Macbeth. Again, there are a whole bunch of needless deaths because of one man’s desires. “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark,” “The Tragedy of Orthello, the Moor of Venice,” and “Macbeth” all contain one major adversary who present one image to people around them, yet possess secretive harmful intentions. Many innocent lives are lost in all of these plays. These three characters are able to feed off the vulnerabilities of others to try and accomplish their goals. In all the plays everything appears to be working for the bad guys and flows along like they are going to win. Fortunately, these Shakespearean plays have a common denominator where King Claudius, Iago, and Macbeth become too self exuberant. That arrogance results in each character’s downfall. As seen these plays are filled with deceit, lies, and death because of King Claudius, Iago, and Macbeth. Each of them personify traitors, “one who betrays another’s trust or is false to an obligation or duty” (1248). They exemplify what malevolent people are like. Shakespeare cleverly develops the characters into the most dishonest men that exist. The audience is able to be kept abreast of these three men’s guileful ways because they are revealing their thoughts and intentions through their actions and/or words. These plays clearly illustrate the types of people who are willing to take advantage of those who faithfully trust them without any regard for morals or life.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.” The Riverside Shakespeare, 2nd ed.

Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997, 1183-1234.

Shakespeare, William. “Macbeth.” The Riverside Shakespeare, 2nd ed. Boston/New York:

Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997, 1355-1387.

Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. 10th ed. Philippines: Merriam Webster Inc,

2001, p1248.

Shakespeare, William. “The Tragedy of Orthello, the Moor of Venice.” The Riverside

Shakespeare, 2nd ed. Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997, 1251-

1288.