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- Machiavellian - An individual whose sole purpose is to manipulate and corrupt others for their own gain. Machiavelli was a political thinker who believed that ''The ends always justify the means''
- ''Puppet Master''
- Two faced ''By Janus, I think no'' ''I am not what i am''
- Manipulative, Cunning - He takes direct advantage of the other characters hamartia
- Immoral - has no sense of moral duty or remorse for his actions
- Motiveless? Coleridge argues that Iago is motivelessly malignant
- Controlling over the other characters - as he plays upon their own tragic flaws (Othello's jealousy and insecurity, Roderigos gullible nature, Emilias desire to get her to do whatever he wants'
- Devilishness - He arguably sets Othello on the path of his own destruction
- Obsession for control and power
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- Antagonist -
- Main focuses are on the destruction and revenge of Othello
- In Elizabethan times, 'Machievel' was considered an almost satanic figure whose main focus was to manipulate others for selfish reasons, often with the intent of destroying them. Machiavel was a figure who was stereotypically motivated by selfishness and even evil
- Iagos tragic flaw may be his need for revenge, his whole focus throughout the play is carrying out his plans against Othello ''I follow him to serve my turn upon him''
- A character who goes against his status and reputation - he uses this as a disguise for his plotting ''Honest Iago''
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- Reveals himself in his soliloquies - often reveal his stategic planning of revenge
- Does whatever is necessary to accomplish his goals, as the play progresses this elevate to even murder
- Irony : His good advice that he seemingly gives to Othello about his opinions on Desdemona only serves to lead towards his dramatic downfall
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- Janus is the two faced God, Roman god of beginnings and endings
- His appearance and how he portrays himself to those on stage is completely different from the reality.
- ''I am not what i am'' is similar to the phrase in the bible from Exodus ''I am that i am'' if this stands for God, Iagos self description is the direct opposite (comparing himself to the devil)
- "To portray Iago properly you must seem to be what all the characters think, and say, you are, not what the spectators know you to be; try to win even them by your sincerity. Don't act the villain, don't look it, or speak it, (by scowling and growling, I mean), but think it all the time. Be genial, sometimes jovial, always gentlemanly. Quick in motion as in thought; lithe and sinuous as a snake." - BOOTH
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