Iago, the villain in William Shakespeare's play Othello, is often referred to as "honest Iago" due to his reputation as an honest and trustworthy individual. However, as the play progresses, it becomes clear that Iago is anything but honest. He is a master manipulator who is driven by his own selfish desires and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
One of the most striking aspects of Iago's character is his ability to deceive those around him. He is able to present himself as an honest and loyal friend to Othello, while secretly plotting against him. Iago's manipulation is so effective that even Othello, who is initially suspicious of Iago, eventually comes to trust him completely.
Iago's dishonesty is further demonstrated through his manipulation of other characters in the play. He is able to deceive both Cassio and Roderigo, using them as pawns in his scheme to destroy Othello. He also uses his wife, Emilia, to further his own ends, lying to her and manipulating her into believing that Desdemona was unfaithful.
Despite his reputation as an honest man, Iago's true motives are revealed as the play progresses. It becomes clear that he is motivated by envy and a desire for revenge. He resents Cassio for being promoted over him, and he seeks to destroy Othello out of a sense of jealousy and resentment.
In conclusion, Iago is anything but honest. He is a master manipulator who is driven by his own selfish desires and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. His ability to deceive those around him, combined with his lack of genuine honesty, make him one of the most complex and interesting villains in literature.
Honest, honest Iago
These needs are: the need for others' response, stimulation, security, recognition, distributive justice, the need to appear rational, need for meaning to be deduced from consistent response, and the need for a sense of control 72. He comes across as arrogant and psychotic, not admirable. From this play, Shakespeare puts forth the idea of sacrifice through pointing out the importance of reputation and how sacrifices must be made to silence the truth. Just as the servant leaves on his errand, Iago shows up and promises both that he will send Emilia out, and that he will keep Othello out of the way, so that Cassio can speak privately with Desdemona. Iago exploits creases in the feelings of Othello and Desdemona to create conflicts. What does the word honest mean in Othello? My friend, thy husband; honest, honest Iago.
A Short Analysis of Iago’s ‘And What’s He Then That Says I Play the Villain?’ Speech
I am to pray you not to strain my speech To grosser issues nor to larger reach Than to suspicion III iii 231-235. He sweats not, it is no great matter to him. Pottle, diminutive of pot. And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you. Of course, in Shakespeare's day, "you" was the formal, used when addressing people of equal or greater station, and "thou" was the informal. He is smart and an expert at judging the characters of others. He appeared right on act 1 of the play.
Honesty and Evil That Distinguishes between Shakespeare's Book Othello and Poe's Book The Cask of Amontillado
OTHELLO All's well now, sweeting; come away to bed. Writes AC Bradley in his essay "Othello," "In his first words in Act I, we are invited by Iago to 'abhor him' 1. CASSIO Not to-night, good Iago: I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking: I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of 35 entertainment. Iago said things other people wanted to hear and created jealousy, anger in their minds. Iago manipulates Othello through lies and innuendo into thinking that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Clearly, Iago controls the general population around him by utilizing their shortcomings: Jealousy And Deception In Othello 1340 Words 6 Pages While Othello seems an insane story, the plot teaches that jealousy and deception can destroy many people, including those who seek benefits through channeling their feelings. The role he plays is rather unique and complex, far from what one might expect.
One of these styles is the use of motifs, which is seen extensively in Othello. I say thy husband. As Iago intends, Othello becomes convinced that Iago knows more than he's saying, and demands that Iago tell him all, saying, Iago continues to pretend reluctance, and says it wouldn't be good for Othello to know his thoughts, because those thoughts might be just false suspicions. My money is almost spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well 365 cudgelled; and I think the issue will be, I shall have so much experience for my pains, and so, with no money at all and a little more wit, return again to Venice. CASSIO 'Fore God, they have given me a rouse already. CASSIO I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak.
Iago then goes on to explain that he's a hypocrite and proud of it. Exclaim no more against it. Cassio, younger and with less self-control, is recognized while Iago is completely passed over and ignored. Perhaps connected with a Scotch word loamy, slow. Iago embodies the paradox of a truthful man who uses his honesty to manipulate people, which contradicts a core human idea that honest people are the most righteous or virtuous.
Is Iago "honest" in Shakespeare's Othello? Explain why or why not.
Iago is driven by his nature of character. Of course Emilia's assurance that this is not the case does nothing to lessen his suspicion. He explains to him how he feels Cassio has lost no reputation and claims that if he talks to Othello, he will be willing to give him back his lieutenancy. Othello suffered from many flaws but the largest were jealousy, quick judgment, and blind trust in Iago. IAGO O, they are our friends; but one cup! Iago achieves this not by his action, but rather a few spiteful words whispered into his master 's, Othello 's ear, hence unleashing in Othello a jealousy that overpowered his ability for rational thinking.
His behavior was determined by the absence of six basic human needs: necessities denied him by the other characters. Keep up the good work! He says that if she doesn't believe that Desdemona was a whore Emilia should ask her husband. His wish is to be as successful and of high importance as Othello, Cassio and Roderigo. The main villain in this story, Iago is driven by the way women act. IAGO What, are you hurt, lieutenant? What does Iago first try to manipulate Cassio into admitting? He must obviously be telling the truth for he cares for me. MONTANO Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger: 195 Your officer, Iago, can inform you,-- While I spare speech, which something now offends me,-- Of all that I do know: nor know I aught By me that's said or done amiss this night; 200 Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice, And to defend ourselves it be a sin When violence assails us. Then Othello becomes husband to one of the most beautiful women in Venice.
Another example of verbal irony from Othello comes after Othello is convinced that Desdemona is cheating on him. Who's that which rings the bell? Ingraft, the omission of the ed is common in verbs whose terminations already resemble participles; eg. Othello appoints Iago to be that officer, because In Cyprus, observing the joyous reunion of Othello and Desdemona, Iago says to himself that he will wreck the lovers' harmony: When Othello reminds Cassio to keep a lid on the festivities in Cyprus, Cassio replies that he has already given orders to Iago, and Othello says approvingly that In the same scene, after Othello stops the fight between Cassio and Montano, he says, Alone with Iago, Cassio moans that his reputation has been ruined, and Iago replies, The morning after Cassio has lost his job, he asks Othello's servant to ask Emilia to come out and speak to him. OTHELLO I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio. It is certain that they are all familiar with and fond of each other, and in their closeness, regard Iago as a sharp-witted, and even sharper tongued, shameless rascal. IAGO You are in the right.
If he has told the honest truth by telling Othello his whole plan, then he would have mentioned about how he purposely got Cassio drunk and angered him so he caused problems. The fact that others trust him and believe in his honesty, is a source of great pride and satisfaction to Iago and this is where the measure of his character is grandly displayed. His malice becomes more evident for he uses this belief in him and his goodness to drag them further into his web of lies and devastation. Cassio wants Emilia to ask Desdemona to speak to him. The last basic human need -- control -- had been too long denied Iago. This made her dead unjust and ironic. Iago and Honesty in Othello Iago uses the word "honest" in act three of Othello in three primary ways.
