Iago from Shakespeare's Othello

The character Iago from Shakespeare’s Othello is evil incarnate. Shakespeare compares Iago to the devil. “When Devils will the blackest sins put on, they do suggest, at first with heavenly shows, as i do now.” His moral and spiritual depravity is evident throughout the play. One characteristic of a devil is to assimilate himself with people ; the devil acquires their trust only to use them for his narrow self interest. Iago forms superficial relationships with most everyone. He calculates his every move to optimize his advantages, “That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it; that she loves him, ‘tis apt and of great credit” (1156). He gains their trust and pits them against each other. His actions have great impact.
Perhaps the best illustration of Iago’s reprobate nature is his empty relationship with his wife, Emilia. ...