Othello Essay Research Paper A villain is

Othello Essay, Research Paper

A villain is a character who uses his good name, rank, or the trust that people have for him

to get what he wants at any cost. He usually manipulates everyone, and death usually

come to the villain. He is well liked by every character, which allows him to pull off his

tricks so well and easily. He uses his friendship with Othello to get what he wants, which

is the rank of lieutenant. Iago somehow finds his way into nearly every character s life

and some of those characters end up dead. Throughout the course of the play, he

manipulates the mind of Roderigo, making him believe that Desdemona actually has

feelings for him, causing Roderigo to carry out harsh actions which, under normal

circumstances, he would never consider. Iago also gets in Othello s head and puts in the

thought of Desdemona being unfaithful with Cassio. There are many more examples of

Iago s villainy throughout the play.

Iago s main goal throughout the play is to somehow obtain the rank of lieutenant,

which he feels should have been given to him instead of his friend Cassio. He begins by

telling Roderigo that Desdemona, at some point, had feelings for him, that is, before she

married Othello. Roderigo is heartbroken, and Iago sees his opportunity begin to open

up. Iago tells Roderigo to defeat thy favor with an usurped beard (1.3. 328-329) and

then return to Venice later because Desdemona will have lost her love for Othello. This

excites Roderigo, so he believes Iago since they are good friends. Iago is now just setting

up Roderigo for another part of his plan that will take place later in the story. Roderigo

does not realize how deeply involved Desdemona and Othello are, so he still believes he

has a chance to have Desdemona, if she ever really does tire of Othello.

Iago and Othello are very close in their friendship, even though Othello chose Cassio over

Iago as his lieutenant. Othello believes almost anything Iago tells him because iago has a

reputation of always telling the truth. That is why Othello actually begins to believe in this

story that his wife has not been faithful to him. Iago gets Emilia, his wife and also

attendant to Desdemona, to pick up a handkerchief that has been passed down from

generation to generation in Othello s family. It represents the love that the husband shows

for his wife, and it means a great deal to Othello. When Iago says that he has seen Cassio

wipe his beard with that handkerchief, Othello makes his mind up that his wife has cheated