Iago

Family: Venetian military · Role: ancient · First appears: Othello · Act I, Scene I

In Act I, Othello appoints Cassio lieutenant, bypassing Iago despite Iago’s military experience. Iago follows Othello for personal advantage—“I follow him to serve my turn upon him:” —and, though he hates him, shows outward love because necessity requires it. He alerts Brabantio to Othello and Desdemona’s elopement, while Roderigo serves as his patron, friend, and ally; Iago also begins plotting to take Cassio’s place by implicating him with Desdemona.

In Cyprus, Iago conducts Desdemona safely and works with Roderigo against Cassio. He is married to Emilia, but tells her not to learn from him even as Othello entrusts Desdemona to their care. Though Iago calls Cassio a friend and says he would cure him, he intoxicates him, arranges his disgrace, and turns Cassio’s appeal to Desdemona into evidence against them: “I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear, That she repeals him for her body’s lust.” He then uses the handkerchief Emilia gives him to inflame Othello’s suspicions, and Othello appoints him lieutenant while ordering Cassio’s death.

In the final acts, Iago continues directing Roderigo, deceiving him about Desdemona and urging him to attack Cassio’s replacement; he kills Roderigo after Roderigo discovers the deception and wounds Cassio. He lies to Emilia about the attack, but she reveals the handkerchief’s history, and Iago stabs her. Othello admits consenting with Iago to Cassio’s death, Cassio assumes authority in Cyprus, and letters reveal Iago’s manipulation of Roderigo.