William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor or Venice, narrates the tragic destruction of the Venetian general Othello at the hands of Iago, a flag bearer in whom Othello deposits an overwhelming amount of trust. Iago, who possesses a disdain for the powerful Christian Moor Othello for reasons never explicated, instigates a series of cataclysmic events within William Shakespeare's work that exemplify the sinister nature of Iago. Throughout the course of The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, Iago is characterized as a dark, manipulative, and selfish liar. Iago's characterization is derived from various instances within William Shakespeare's play, such as those involving the opinions held by others concerning Iago, the actions that Iago takes in his destructive path leading to Othello, and various asides and comments made by Iago, that epitomize Iago's malevolent nature.

The character of Iago is thoroughly disclosed through the opinions held...