Iago Study Guide Schemer Iago is a brilliant

Iago Study Guide

Schemer • Iago is a brilliant schemer carefully planning out everything so no one can even begin to figure it out • Lying to Othello Cassio Desdemona Roderigo and even his own wife Emilia • Often he is called “honest Iago” by many characters.

opinionated • Iago is very opinionated believing Roderigo isn't bright and is easy to steal money from • he strongly believes in Cassio’s lack of requirements to have the job he has saying he learns only from books. And has no battle field experience.

Pessimistic view on life • Iago has a very pessimistic view on life believing in no goodness • Reputation means nothing • Love is not love but lust • Women don’t have a right to do anything other than cook for him and have sex with him they’re simply an item. • Leads to the death of Desdemona injury of Cassio for no particular reason. • Kills his own wife without the slightest thought.

Overall plot effect. • Iago feels he should have been named Othello's lieutenant not Cassio • He then seeks out anyway to get this position • As well as making some extra money off of the foolish Roderigo paying Iago to hook Roderigo up with Desdemona • He then convinces Roderigo to start a fight and get Cassio fired (hoping to get the spot himself) • He then sends Cassio to Desdemona to talk about getting himself reinstated

Cont. • Planting Othello’s handkerchief on Cassio to start a fight • Followed by telling Roderigo the only way to be with Desdemona is to kill Cassio • When Roderigo fails Iago must try and finish the job • He then also kills Roderigo • In the end he kills his wife Emilia • Othello then stabs him • And Iago is sentenced to an unknown punishment.