Iago's Soliloquy in Othello: Character and Deception

Introduction: The Soliloquy and Iago's Plot

In Act 2, Scene 3, lines 335–362 of Othello, Shakespeare uses the soliloquy to demonstrate Iago's nature to the audience and to provide insight into his character. In this scene, Iago reveals a devious plot involving three other characters in the play, with the intention of destroying two of them: Othello and Cassio. The third, Desdemona, is secondary; her function to him is only as a vessel to carry his plan into action.

By content alone, one may deduce that Iago lacks strong character and a high moral sense. It is difficult to believe that a character with a genuine moral compass would hatch such a plot, regardless of the circumstances driving his actions. We know that the circumstances fueling his motivation certainly do not warrant this type of action. But for argument's sake, even if the circumstances were different and Iago were not driven entirely by jealousy, his obvious lack of respect for the other characters' well-being provides strong clues into the type of character he is.

Iago's Moral Character and Manipulation of Desdemona

Iago is willing to use Desdemona — who is innocent in this situation — as a pawn to achieve his desired result against Othello and Cassio. He does this knowing it will ruin her in the process, yet goes so far as to tell the audience: "Th' inclining Desdemona to subdue / In any honest suit; she is framed as fruitful" (2.3.341–342), and that he will make "out of her own goodness… the net / That shall enmesh them all" (2.3.361–362). In these lines, he explains that Desdemona is an easy target because she will willingly do the kind and right thing to help Cassio get reinstated.

From his speech we understand that this plan could only be hatched in the mind of a shrewd, calculating, and extremely cynical individual. We sense that Iago relishes the prospect of destroying Othello and Cassio and takes pleasure in planning their downfall. During his speech, Iago also attempts to justify his actions to himself, stating in reference to Cassio:

How am I then a villain
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
When devils will the blackest sins put on,
They do suggest now at first with heavy shows,
As I do now. (2.3.348–353)

In other words, Iago frames himself as simply offering Cassio the best advice on how to get reinstated. The consequences that follow may not be Cassio's desired outcome, but as far as Iago is concerned, he has acted in Cassio's best interest.

Imagery and the Visualization of Evil

In this passage, Shakespeare utilizes several literary tools beyond the plot itself to effectively illustrate Iago's character flaws. Through careful analysis of Shakespeare's use of imagery, we learn how cunning Iago is. In his soliloquy, Iago describes his plan in such detail that the viewer can visualize his future acts and the events that may follow. When Iago tells us:

For whiles this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune,
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I'll pour the pestilence into his ear;
That she repeals him for her body's lust;
And by how much she strives to do him good,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor. (2.3.353–359)

Reading this passage, one can visualize the passion with which Desdemona will plead Cassio's case to Othello — Iago tells us that generosity is simply her nature. We can also visualize Iago "pouring" into Othello's ear the suggestion that Desdemona pleads the case because she is in love with Cassio, rather than because she is acting on her natural impulse to set things right for others.

The use of the word "pour" conjures an image of thick, dark, oozing poison being implanted into Othello's mind. This effective use of imagery gives the reader a visceral understanding of Iago's evil nature and his plan.