What Kind of Man is Lago

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The play Othello by William Shakespeare is one of his great works that is intrigued with informative experiences. The presentation of women in the play is particularly an important lesson that Shakespeare wants to put across. It is an indication of what was happening in the society where patriarchy was the norm in the society at that time. Shakespeare wanted to tell a story of how women were being oppressed in the society with little control in love relationship while men controlled everything. The examination of characters in the story is important in helping us to examine the main theme in the play. Iago is one of the most interesting characters in the play. He is a wicked character engrossed with jealousy and seems to have a big hatred for women. We establish this through his actions where he works in ensuring that people’s relationships are not smooth. He manages to kill Emilia, his wife and to convince Othello to kill Desdemona. This paper examines the kind of Man Iago is and the reasons for destroying lives the way he does.
The play Othello by William Shakespeare starts with two men talking to one another. The two men talking are Iago and Roderigo. Its night time in Venice and Iago and Roderigo are discussing Othello’s secret marriage to Desdemona. Othello is a military general who works for the state of Venice. He is not from Venice though because he is a "moor" meaning he is from North Africa. Recently Othello just married a senator’s daughter secretly. Roderigo on the other hand is in love with Desdemona. Iago is telling Roderigo that he actually hates Othello because he overlook him when he gave a promotion to Cassio (Gill 18). The two men obviously are jealous of Othello and they are starting to plot on how to get him in trouble. Iago is telling Roderigo that they should go to Desdemona’s father and tell him that she run away. They are now going to Desdemona’s house and they meet Brabanzio, Desdemona’s father. As the play progresses, it is evident that Iago succeeds in making everybody turn against their loved ones and friends, to the point where they are killing each other. This shows that Iago is definitely an evil character who is also knifing and very persuasive.
The reasons behind Iago’s hatred of Othello has been debated by critics for centuries. However, the most possible reasons that Iago hates the Moor are those he is giving to Roderigo. They include that Othello is a Moor; because Cassio was promoted to the position of a lieutenant in his stead; because he believes that Othello slept with his wife, Emilia; or, maybe he is just envious of Othello because he married the beautiful innocent Desdemona. Looking in his soliloquies Iago is giving himself many reasons which are merely excuses to cover up his true character of being a manipulator, deceiver and destroyer of other people’s lives.
Jealousy is the "Green – Eyed Monster" that is driving Iago to destroy lives the way he is doing. During the play’s duration, jealousy is one of the foundation in Iago’s plot to destroying Othello. Iago was a lower ranking officer of Othello who wanted to be promoted to the...