She asks as a conscience for the players, holding them accountable when they have committed a wrong. She’s Iago’s wife, but she’s also Desdemona’s hand maid. He allows himself to be persuaded to believe that worst about his wife and causes his own downfall by his lack of faith and trust. He is manipulated by someone else, but no one truly forces his hand. He and his wife Desdemona are so incredibly in love and then he acts as the tool for his own destruction. The worst part of the whole things is that Othello is in the thralls of newly-wedded happiness. He does it in such a calm, unbothered way that it’s all the more disturbing. He moves each pawn to further his plan, all the while maintaining his alleged devotion to Othello and poisoning his thoughts with rumors of jealousy. He feels that Othello has slighted him and sets his mind to destroying his life. His cold calculating nature is sociopathic. Iago is one of the most conniving and depraved characters I’ve ever read. Shakespeare writes a true psychological drama, exploring the darkest human emotion and motivation. How can she abet her husband’s evil plans? Is she really so clueless? I’m completely perplexed by Emilia’s role in this tragedy. Othello, in particular, should be able to see through this smarmy false friend.

I do wonder how Othello, Cassio, and Roderigo (among others) can be so easily swayed by Iago. He particularly targets Othello, recognizes the chink in his armor is his relationship with Desdemona, and manages to turn this noble general into a homicidal, emotional wreck. Iago uses the other characters as his pawns some sort of game he plays for his own benefit. His oily manner convinces everyone that he has only their own best interests at heart while he plants seeds of doubt everywhere, ensuring that everyone becomes suspicious and disheartened. Rules do not apply to him, and duplicity is second nature to him. Egged on by Iago (one of literature’s most reviled villains), they accuse Othello of somehow bewitching Desdemona, but the couple successfully convinces everyone that their love is true and pure. Show More her father and others who were hopeful suitors.

Othello pelican shakespeare