Iago the Con

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Niccolò Machiavelli is most famous for his philosophy, that “The end justifies the means”. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago is a Machiavellian character who stops at nothing to achieve his goal ultimately bringing about the demise of Roderigo, Desdemona, and Othello. In the eponymous text, Othello is manipulated by his duplicitous ancient Iago. The first person who Iago wants to destroy is the gullible Roderigo whose judgment he clouds and manipulates to commit bloody deeds, eventually resulting in his death by his so called friend. The second life Iago ravages is the naïve Desdemona, as he twists her virtues and purity leading to her death by her misguided husband. The third life Iago ruins is his prime target, Othello, as he takes advantage of his poor judgment, professing concern for his General, resulting in his deterioration. Iago is a destructive human being, with a thirst of power. One significant way Iago uses his manipulation on Roderigo is by jealousy, revealing Iago’s consistent abuse of his gullible friend. In the beginning of the play a conversation is heard between Roderigo and Iago. Roderigo is frustrated because he has been giving money to Iago in hopes that Desdemona will love him, however, he learns of Desdemona’s marriage with Othello. At the start of the play, Iago convinces Roderigo to break up Othello’s marriage by stirring Desdemona’s family against the Moor. At the end of Act one, Iago has his first soliloquy and says “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse/ for I mine own gained knowledge should profane / If I would time expend with such a snipe/ But for my sport and profit” (I, iii, 372-375). He reveals his plan of cheating Roderigo out of his money and giving him unfilled promises. In Act four scene two Roderigo returns. He is enraged that Desdemona is still in love with Othello and is ready to confess his pursuit
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