Iago Is the Main Antagonist

In the William Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’, Othello was ultimately destroyed by his jealousy and wrong trust in Iago. One of the central themes of the play-----deception, was displayed by Iago’s manipulation and control of the other characters. In the play, Iago abuses the trust of others, used the “dropped handkerchief” to his advantage, and lastly, he’s able to change the other people’s opinions, therefore Desdemona is assumed to be deceptive.
Iago is the secret manipulator who is responsible for the chaos that has happened in ‘Othello’. Iago first persuaded Roderiogo to join his side which brought down Cassio from his lieutenant position, later he was able to plant the seed of jealousy in Othello’s head and at last, he “proved” that Desdemona was indeed cheating and was killed by Othello. Iago was able to convince Othello because not only Othello is self-conscious about his race, he recognises that on a number of times in the play, Iago also sees that Othello has complete trust in him, which affected his judgement and Iago was able to carry out his evil plan. He detected the weakness of the weakness of others, such as Roderiogo’s love for Desdemona, therefore he’s able to control and manipulate them.
The handkerchief is the deciding factor for disaster in ‘Othello’. The handkerchief was the gift that Othello gave to Desdemona, when Emilia picked up this dropped handkerchief and gave it to her husband, this became the “ocular proof” that convinced Othello that he’s wife is “cheating” on him with Cassio. The handkerchief was crucial part to Iago’s plan because without it, Othello would not one hundred precent believe in Iago’s accusations of Desdemona, Iago’s plan would not be as successful as it was.
Desdemona is assumed to be deceptive all by the evil hands of Iago. At the beginning of the play, Desdemona’s father Brabantio believed that Othello “stole” his daughter, and warns him, “She has deceived her father, and may thee”. Iago is being call “honest Iago”...