Iago as an Antagonist in the Play Othello

“It takes 20 minutes to build a reputation and five minutes to destroy it”. “If that is thought about things will be done differently (Warren Buffet)”. Reputation is the general belief or opinion that most people may view about who you are. In certain situations, one’s identity can hold so much value that it may impede judgement and the decisions made. In the case of William Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Othello, reputation plays a significant role in representing how people manage to sustain repute regardless of any conflict. Individuals begin to struggle with self-control when the internal battle is lost in the pursuit of strengthening one’s character. Throughout Shakespeare’s Othello, noteworthy characters such as Michael Cassio and Othello persevere through all odds and maintain respectable identities while Iago strives to use reputation as a key for manipulative action and emotional cruelty.

In the Tragedy of Othello, William Shakespeare uses a primary antagonist by the name of Iago to introduce the theme of deception. Iago attempts to deceive those closest to him for his own personal pleasure. His self-centered attitude ascends as his greatest wish of destroying reputations consistently comes to fruition. Iago uses manipulation on people by influencing them to take deep consideration into his positions. The honesty he frequently puts on display eventually leads him to say, “I am an honest man”(II.iii,285)(Tragedy of Othello). Iago religiously bloviates about this impeccability that he retains and it convinces valuable characters such as Othello and Desdemona to have faith in him. According to, “On the Acting of Iago”, Richard White states ,“Iago’s character has been the biggest form of misapprehension from the start” (White 4). The lives of the people he truly believes have done a disservice to his pride have had an impact on his decision to end their existence and White contends to the belief that these characters never even understood his absolute intention.

The deceptive mind of Iago and his scheming ideas must now translate to an elevated level of confidence from another significant character by the name of Michael Cassio in his ability. Despite the fact that Cassio was a young and inexperienced soldier, he was chosen as Othello’s lieutenant and this entire ordeal enraged Iago. Reluctantly, Cassio had no practical knowledge of battle and this led to Iago using his feigned honesty to manipulate him. The young Cassio foolishly went to a bar and became under the influence and this is when he went to Iago so he could give him some moral support. Iago recommended that Cassio speak to Desdemona so that she can do her part of influencing Othello to consider a rehiring for him. Shortly after, Cassio listens to Iago as he goes on his soliloquy about how beautiful and caring Desdemona is. Cassio displays strong passion as he says to Othello, “I am desperate of my fortunes”(II.iii,351)(Tragedy of Othello). Cassio’s determination to preserve a well-known reputation leads him to unthinkably believe the ambiguous strategy of Iago. He believes pleading his position to Desdemona will enhance his opportunity to earn his lieutenant job back. His gullibility will serve as his biggest downfall because Iago’s objective was complete. According to the article called “Honest Iago and the evil nature of words”, author Francesco Ancona says, “How would you destroy your enemies”? , “Would you do it by telling the truth”? Ancona uses these questions to correlate to Iago's intentions and detailing that he would destroy his adversaries mentally by making them believe he was assisting them when in fact it is emotional cruelty.

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Iago takes pride in what he believes is a position for those who represent worthy capabilities, by stating that his body of work is greater suited ideally for the job as opposed to Cassio’s. He continuously exposes his covetous spirit towards Cassio and strives to earn an alternate identity as a lieutenant rather in the case of Othello who primarily serves as an ancient. Iago surely thinks it is he who must become the leader of the men and reign over them all as the accomplice. He insinuates another comment towards Cassio by referring to his character as it pertains to not being proper for the job by saying, “mere prattle without practice is all his soldiership” (I.i,27)(Tragedy of Othello). One’s resume of crucial fights as a serviceman should be a key reason in this determination. As Richard White indicated in his essay, Cassio was viewed as a man who was better suited for the job and this relates to the different reputations between Cassio and Iago. Later on, Iago finally exudes that his reputation is superior in comparison to Cassio’s as an enlisted man and should unquestionably become the first option for an elite lieutenant. White’s knowledge of the novel showed even greater indications as he described the battle between these two men and the value towards how they felt about the job.

Gradually, the deceptive Iago must consistently be conscientious in his approach towards at last obtaining a unique eminence, and at last implementing the belief of anguished actions. He takes so much pride in protecting his individual identity as a method for pain that once a secondary character named Roderigo discovers the true purpose of the evil Iago, Iago had no choice but to resort to his demise. In particular, Michael Cassio also desires for others to perceive him as dignitary. Cassio melancholy reckons with a key representation of himself shortly after the altercation with Roderigo as well. A multitude of people who he shares a close bond with will now view him as vulnerable and intoxicating. The internal struggles of trying to keep his reputation result in a loss and that leads to Othello stripping away the honor that Iago planned to gain completely back with his lieutenant position. Othello states that he has a great amount of gratitude and love for Cassio, nevertheless he can “nevermore be officer” (II.iii,265). Cassio puts up a large amount of frustration and desolation as a result of the discharge of the lieutenant job. Cassio moans in agony over the fact that his perception of immortality that he strongly believed is now in astray. He begins to lose self-control as he repeatedly says his reputation and the immortal part of his spirit have been changed beyond imagination. Based on the evidence provided in, “U and Non-U: Class and Discourse Level in Othello”, Scolar Press describes Cassio’s immediate responsibilities along with natural talents and how this may one day lead to him succeeding Othello in his superiority. However, Othello does not undertake the confidentiality they once shared since he has completely lost respect for Cassio. The ordeal parallels significantly in comparison to how the relationship between the two of them may show indistinguishable hatred far beyond the lieutenant position.

Astonishingly, Othello preserves a remarkably consistent prestige for the majority of the play, but suffers when he unthinkably considers Iago’s rhetoric that Cassio and Desdemona are at last enamoured. The shocking transition of behavior gives rise to a rejoinder from several characters. Shortly after, the Moorish general wrongfully engages in physical contact with Desdemona. Lodovico, the spectator of this battle, is truly disappointed with Othello by this altercation because of his former visions of Othello’s warm-heartedness and relatively subtle spirit. Following the altercation, Lodovico gives his opinion on the situation by exclaiming to Othello, “Oh, please god save you my lord”(IV.i,237)(Tragedy of Othello). In addition to their battle, he resents when he receives updates from Iago that the love of his life Desdemona is with Michael. By his own stature, he holds a great deal of power, so hearing the news of Desdemona’s adultery leaves a stain on his pride and his motivation rises to keep his reputation. In time, arguments resorted to the death of Desdemona. The three men work their entire lives to fulfill the destiny of an image of someone with a sustained level of self-dignity. Iago hopes to take advantage of reputation as his basis for emotional cruelty and tampering, while on the other hand Cassio and Othello desire unusual forms of identity for personal pleasure. The characters start to become so desperate that they begin to lose who they truly are and those internal constrictions of battling demons results in fatality. Earlier on, Iago is known for showing a great deal of honesty and immediately sought to take advantage of his relationships by causing pain to make those closest to him suffer. Comparably, Michael discloses his hopelessness after his career of being a lieutenant was finished. Cassio’s mindset involved having others see him as highly intelligent and loyal, and having aspirations of regaining his reputation. Uncritically, believing the mastermind Iago showed more regret for Cassio than gratitude. As well as the other primary characters, Othello is seen as possessing a superb identity, however once accusations come to light, Othello goes psychically insane and his behavior begins to not resemble the character of a great leader. Chasing an outstanding reputation can gradually prove to be problematic for people, resulting in their unexpected death, and must not be the solitary purpose of living an exceptional life.