The play Othello by William Shakespeare we encounter Iago, one of Shakespeare's most evil characters. Iago is an ensign in Othello's army and is jealous of Cassio's promotion to Lieutenant. Through deception and appearance, we see unfolded a plethora of lies and clever schemes. The astonishing thing about Iago is that he seems to make up his malicious schemes as he goes along without any forethought. Iago seizes every opportunity to further advance his plan to his advantage. Greed plays a major role as a motive for his various schemes. Throughout the story, Iago portrays himself as a Satan figure. In many ways, Iago can compare with Satan.

Iago, like Satan, has proved himself to be a master at deception. He lies to everyone taking great care to disguise his own thoughts. For example, in Act 1, scene 2, when he is speaking to Othello about his feelings toward Cassio, he uses very strong language of a manly soldier, while at the same time, he lies throughout the whole speech faking loyalty to a fellow soldier and all the while implying that he is reluctantly holding back the full truth: "I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth/ Than it should do offense to Michael Cass

Iago and Satan have been compared in many ways. He is called a viper just as Satan is called a serpent. Lodovico asks: "Where is that viper? bring the villain forth" (V.ii.285). When Satan is in the garden, he is referred to as the serpent.. Iago says that he is the "I am not". He is, in essence, the exact reverse of God. As we have seen, metaphorically and by example, Iago has proven to be the epitome of evil in that he uses the same tactics that Satan does to get what he wants.

And then, sir, would he grip and wring my hand,/ Cry "O sweet creature!" and then kiss me hard,/ As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots/ That grew upon my lips: then laid his leg/ Over my thigh, and sigh'd, and kiss'd; and then/ Cried "Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!" (III.iii.421-426)

io" (I.ii.21-22). This deception impresses and convinces Othello that his ensign is a good and loyal soldier. Iago also succeeds in deceiving Cassio. After Cassio's drunken fight, Iago counsels him to speak to Desdimona about trying to convince Othello to reinstate him as lieutenant, all the while knowing that this will only prove helpful to his plan of having Othello see him with Desdimona. Cassio answers him: "You advise me well . . . Goodnight, honest Iago" (II.iii.332/340). Thus, even Cassio is capable of being deceived by Iago. With all of this deception, it is a wonder that Iago is not Satan himself. He even gives an account to his plan of deception, in a soliloquy, in Act II. In comparing himself with Satan, he says:

Othello demands to see evidence with his own eyes in order to be convinced. Iago then changes the subject and lies to Othello outright by telling him that he heard Cassio talking in his sleep. He then goes so far as to say that Cassio was

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