Iago is a manipulative and secretive villain in Othello. He uses others' weaknesses to achieve his own goals, convinced that the ends justify the means. Iago manipulates characters like Roderigo, Othello, and Cassio by exploiting their lust, jealousy, and sense of honor. He hides his true nature and motives behind a mask of honesty while sowing seeds of doubt, destruction, and revenge. Iago's lack of morals is shown through his lies, manipulation of others, and refusal to show remorse for his actions in the end.

1. Iago – The Machiavellian villain
To copy down: A Machiavellian is a term used to
describe someone whose sole purpose is to
manipulate and corrupt others for their own gain.
They are often seen as a “puppet master” – they
use others as tools to get what they want.
Wednesday 17th July
“The end justifies the means”
– This was the belief of Machiavelli, a
Medieval political thinker, where the
term comes from

2. The Machiavellian checklist:
• Is Iago a Machiavellian villain? We will
need to look throughout Othello to
find these characteristics of a typical
Machiavellian villain within Iago.
• 1. Is Iago secretive?
• 2. Is Iago manipulative and cunning?
• 3. Does Iago show a lack of morals?
• 4. Is Iago obsessed with goals,
convinved the ends are justified?
We are going to
explore Question 1
together – then the
other questions we
will split them up
Between us:
In what ways is
Iago secretive?

3. Grade boundaries for this task:
• Grade D – Stating your opinion of Iago
• Grade C – Giving opinion with a reference to the text
(with at least one quote – Shakespearean language
only when writing about the play!)
• Grade B – As for above, but you will then explain how
your quote supports your point. Eg. “This means
that…”
• Grade A / A* - Doing all above and then repeating it to
make a new point about Iago
From the mark scheme “showing insight and perception”

4. 1. Is Iago secretive?
• Iago is considered ‘two-faced’ – swears by Janus –
significance?
• Act 1 Scene 1 – “I am not what I am”
• Perceived as “honest Iago” all the way through
the play – who calls him this?
• Iago hides behind a mask of the loyal soldier
• Reveals carefully limited information to Roderigo
(when it suits him) but larger parts of his “plot”
only get revealed in his soliloquies to the
audience.

5. 2. Is Iago manipulative and cunning?
• Iago manipulates using other’s weaknesses and
strengths:
• Brabantio’s racism
• Roderigo’s lust for Desdemona
• Othello’s jealousy
• Cassio’s sense of honour (and ability to get drunk
quickly!)
• Questions Cassio’s honesty to create doubt for
Othello

6. 3. Does Iago show a lack of morals?
• Immoral – corrupt, liar, vulgar language and
regularly makes sexual references to wind up the
other characters – in particular those images
involving animals! (ie. Primal and inhuman)
• Shows no remorse – at the end, refuses to speak
or apologise for his actions
• Takes advantage of others – leads Roderigo on
thinking he has a chance with Desdemona
• Lets others think he is honest and true
• Murders both his wife and his ‘friend’

7. 4. Is Iago obsessed with
goals, convinced the means justify the
end?
• Iago is obsessed with destruction and revenge
• Believed all his means were justified.
• Reveals himself in soliloquies
• “And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets
he’s done my office” – Act 1 Scene 3
• “For that I do suspect the lusty Moor hath
leaped into my seat” – Act 2 Scene 1

8. Come up with 5 questions that have one of the
following as the answer
Othello
Desdemona
Venice
Iago
Cassio
Roderigo
Reputation
Honest
Jealousy
Bianca
Emilia
The Moor
Cyprus

9. Splat! – so what do you know?
Othello
Desdemona
Venice
Iago
Cassio
Roderigo
Reputation
Honest
Jealousy
Bianca
Emilia
The Moor
Cyprus

10. SPLAT