Othello - Honest Iago The most interesting and rounded character of the tragic work Othello, by William Shakespeare, is the "honest" Iago. Through carefully thought out words and actions, Iago manipulates others into doing things that benefit him. Iago is the main driving force of "Othello", pushing several characters to their tragic ends. Iago is not a traditional villain because he plays a unique and complex role. . Unlike most villains in tragic comedies, the evidence of Iago's deception is not clearly visible. Iago is intelligent and an excellent judge of people and their characters. He uses this keen sense of knowledge to his advantage. For example, Iago knows that Roderigo has feelings for Desdemona and assumes that he would do anything to have her as his. Iago attempts to manipulate Roderigo by saying: It cannot be that Desdemona long continues her love for the Moor - put the money in your purse - nor he is hers: it is a violent beginning, and you will see a responsible seizure; just put money in the bag.[Act I, Scene III].Playing on Roderigo's hopes, Iago swindles money and jewels from Roderigo, making a considerable profit. Iago also says, "Thus I never make my fool my purse" [Act I, Scene III] once Roderigo is gone. “Honest” Iago cleverly disguises his goals while Roderigo follows him blindly. Iago continually operates with haughty motivations in "Othello. " Iago takes advantage of his friendships with Cassio as well as Roderigo. Cassio blindly follows Iago, all the while thinking that Iago is trying to help him. During all this time, Iago plans the death of Cassio, his supposed friend. To get Cassio's position as lieutenant, Iago convinces Cassio to take another drink, knowing full well that it will make him drunk and disgrace him. Iago obviously tries to cloud Cassio's character when he says, "What, man! 'tis a night of revelry: the gallants desire it" [Act II, Scene III]. Iago manages to get Cassio to challenge his own reasoning and reluctantly take another drink. As a result of his devious plan, Iago achieves his goal and Othello eliminates Cassio from his position as lieutenant. Iago successfully manipulates the people around him by building trust, a trust that all of Iago's victims believe to be an honest trust. The friendship and honesty that Iago falsely imposes on Othello makes it easy for Othello to never imagine the possibility that Iago has evil motives. Othello regards Iago as his dear friend and advisor. He believes that Iago is a person "of extraordinary honesty, [who] knows all the qualities,