Iago's Flaws

Iago's Flaws

1. Liar

   • First impression of Othello from Iago = arrogant + selfish
   • "I am not what I am"

2. Cheat

   • Cheated gullible Rodergio out of his wealth
     • "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse"
     • "Put money in thy purse"

3. Disloyal

   • Pretends to help every character
     • "I follow him to serve my turn upon him"
   • Destroys Othello's peace of mind + makes Othello feel that he owes Iago a great debt for his loyality
   • Desdemona turns to him when Othello calls her a whore

4. Jealous

   • Cassio's promotion
     • "Mere prattle without practice in all his soldiership"
   • Power + influence Othello has
   • Othello + Desdemona's loving relationship

5. Paranoid

   • Suspects Othello of sleeping with Emilia
   • Suspects Cassio of sleeping with Emilia

6. Amoral Sadist

   • Delights in the suffering of others
     • "With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio"
   • Admits his plan is evil + twisted
   • Relishes being the one to choose the method of Desdemona's execution
     • "Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated"
   • The thought that Roderigo + Cassio ma die fills him with satisfaction

7. Cynical

   • Values intellect above emotion
   • Love is nothing more than "lust of the blood and permission of the will"

8. Selfish

   • Free will give us the power to decide how we behave
   • Always puts himself first + mocks those who don't
     • "I never found a man who knew how to love himself"

9. Vengeful

   • Obsesses over the idea that Emilia has slept with Othello + is intent on revenge

10. Over-Confident

    • Final scene: thinks he can silence Emilia, when she refuses to stop he stabs her

11. Unrepentant

    • Shows no remorse
    • Offers no explanation for behaviour