Not so Honest Iago free essay sample

Cassio starts drinking and soon finds himself fighting Montano. While they fight, Iago secretly tells Roderigo â€Å"How now, Roderigo? I pray you after the lieutenant, go† (Act 2, Scene 3, Line 119-120). This quote shows Iago’s true intentions to get Cassio into trouble, even though he is the one who told Cassio to drink and it is one of the first examples when the audience or reader gets to see Iago’s true motives, which are to ruin Cassio’s good name and replace him. After the fight, Othello replaces Cassio with Iago because Cassio brought dishonor to there country. Another example of how the characters don’t know Iago’s true objective is when Othello says â€Å"What is the matter, masters? Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving, speak. Who began this? On thy love, I charge thee† (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 157-159). Othello believes that Iago is mourning for the grave fight between the lieutenant and Montano, but he is secretly enjoying the situation Cassio has created. We will write a custom essay sample on Not so Honest Iago or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The quote shows irony because it is one of the many times that Iago is called â€Å"honest† but he lies through his teeth. No character sees Iago for who he truly is, a liar and a mischievous fake. Iago is behind the entire handkerchief misunderstanding and eventually leads to Desdemona’s death. He orders Emilia, his wife, to steal the handkerchief so Othello and Desdemona would argue about it. This all begins when Othello asks to see the handkerchief to dry his hands with, which Desdemona could not give him because she lost it. He says â€Å"I did so, and take heed on’t: Make it a darling, like your precious eye. To lose’t or give’t away were such perdition as nothing else could match† (Act 3, Scene 4, Line 61-64). This is the beginning of Othello questioning where Desdemona had put the handkerchief, but no one knows that Iago took it from Desdemona. This is meaningful because not Othello or Desdemona would have questioned Iago about the handkerchief. Iago continues to hide his true desires for his so-called â€Å"friends† and his plan to trick Othello into believing his wife is having an affair is untarnished. Iago slightly shows his motives to his wife, Emilia, but she never pieces them together. Once Emilia steals the handkerchief from Desdemona, he tells her, â€Å"I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin and let him find it. Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ† (Act 3, Scene 3, Line 322-325). Iago tells Emilia what he is planning to do with the handkerchief. This is significant because even though Emilia couldn’t figure out his plan, the audience realizes his plan to destroy Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. Iago plans to trick Othello into accusing Desdemona of having an affair with Cassio and the only evidence would be the handkerchief that Desdemona â€Å"gave† to Cassio. Iago is perceived a trustworthy friend, but he truly hates and despises Othello. Throughout Othello, Iago and Othello are seen together spying on others or talking together. Othello sees Iago as one of his most loyal friends, but still makes Cassio lieutenant over Iago. This is where all the problems between Iago and Othello started. Othello believes that Iago doesn’t hold a grudge over promoting Cassio instead of him and when the Duke asks Othello who will stay behind in Cyprus, Othello responded â€Å"A man he is of honesty and trust. To his conveyance I assign my wife, with what else needful your good grace shall think to be sent after me† (Act 1, Scene 3, Line 280- 283). Othello sees Cassio as the better choice for the lieutenant but he sees Iago as the better choice to look after his wife. This is significant because Iago despises that he is in charge of watching Desdemona instead of in charge of the troops. Othello never doubts Iago’s true intentions, which is the cause of his tragic end. Othello believes the words that come from Iago’s mouth are the absolute truth. At the very end of the play, Othello still believes Iago over his own wife, Desdemona. He replied â€Å"No, his mouth is stopped: Honest Iago hath tane order for’t (Act 5, Scene 2, Line 73-74), which shows that no matter what Desdemona said Othello is too overwhelmed in jealousy and rage that he believes Iago instead of her. This quote shows great significance because it is right before Othello kills his wife, and she begs for her life. The entire play is full of reasons to believe that Iago is honest, but the audience or reader saw him for the liar he truly is. Honest Iago, two words that are frequently used in Othello, but are the biggest lie in the entire play. Iago is seen as a truthful and loyal friend to both Othello and Cassio, but in his secret plan he plots their downfall. Iago is able to control others through his lies and betrayals. He convinces Cassio to drink which led to him losing his title of lieutenant, he fouls Othello into believing Desdemona gave Cassio the handkerchief, and he continues to keep up his fake persona of being honest. Honest Iago is the name of the most dishonest person in Othello, but no one sees him for who he truly is.