Iago and Desdemona Character Comparison Essay Example

Iago and Desdemona are two very different characters. Both of them have different opinions of Othello and the other characters. One opinion is out of love and the other is out of jealousy. The way Desdemona and Iago act upon their opinions shows a lot about their personality. The lies Iago weaves are intricate and well thought out. William Shakespeare makes the two characters different. This makes the play interesting and full of plot twists. Desdemona is a gentle and truthful person. Iago craves attention from Othello, he will do anything to make his lies more believable. Desdemona keeps to herself and is truthful to her Husband. She is kind to everyone in her life and does nothing to upset them. Iago and Desdemona are the two most different characters in the play's entirety. Their personalities are opposite, and their view of Othello differs. 

Iago is manipulative towards all the other characters and confirms this early in the play. He is dishonest and does things he knows will hurt other people for the benefit of himself. “I think thou dost;/and for I know thou’rt full of love and honesty”(III.III, 118-119).

Othello believes Iago is being honest with him. After telling him that Desdemona is having an affair with Michael Cassio. Othello's former lieutenant. Iago reveals he is not who he says he is, or that he is two-faced. He is a people pleaser and does things he knows they will agree with for his gain. "I am not what I am”(I.I, 66). Iago acknowledges he is manipulative and proves his statement throughout the play. He lies to the other characters and does things he knows will only benefit him. In contrast to Iago, Desdemona remains truthful to Othello regardless of what others might say about her. She knows that regardless of what happens between the two of them, she will love him the same.

“His unkindness may defeat my life, But never taint my love”(IIII.II, 159-160). 

Desdemona loves Othello and accepts his decisions even though they will hurt her. She trusts him and wants him to be happy and at peace with himself. Desdemona is kind to everyone she encounters and understands their feelings. She does not dismiss them and does what she can to help them. She is kind and cares about the people in her life. 

“Do not doubt, Cassio,/but I will have my lord and you again/as friendly as you were”(III.III,5-7).

Desdemona is honest, unlike Iago. She does not make up stories compared to Iago. Who makes up stories about other people so that he may get what he wants and not what he deserves. They both reveal what their personalities are early on in the play. It is their different personalities that force them to conflict with each other. Iago only does things that he knows will benefit him because he does not care what happens to other people. He lies his way to get what he wants.

Both Iago and Desdemona want Othello to believe them. Unfortunately, the evidence that Iago presents is more believable than what Desdemona has to say. Desdemona does not have any reason to make up a story because she is an honest and loyal wife to Othello. Iago spends so much time and effort to make his story more convincing. And will go to extreme lengths like taking things that are not his to hurt who he is accusing. It is easy to assume that this is not the first time Iago has done something similar. Where he draws false accusations to get what he wants. Assuming this is true he knows exactly what to say to Othello and what he can do to anger him even more. 

IAGO: “A good wench! Give it me.”

EMILIA: “What will you do with’t, that you have been so earnest/to have me filch it?”

(Snatching it) IAGO: “Why, what’s that to you?”

EMILIA: “If it be not for some purpose of import,/give’t me again. Poor lady, she’ll run mad/when she shall lack it. Be not acknown on’t.”

IAGO: “I have use for it. Go, leave me./I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin” (III III 316-322). 

When Desdemona drops the handkerchief that Othello gives to her, Emilia who is a friend of Desdemona picks it up. Iago sees she has the handkerchief. He develops an idea to make his plan to expose Desdemona and Michael Cassio more believable. He snatches it out of the woman’s hand. In the same way, Iago agrees with Lodovico when he says Othello is losing his mind. Iago is jealous of the position and power Othello holds. After what took place Iago hopes he is now in Lodovico's favor if Othello were to lose his job. 

LODOVICO: “Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?”

IAGO: “He’s that he is; I may not breathe my censure/ What he might be. If he might he is not,/I would to heaven he were”(vi I 267-270). 

In the quote following Othello’s aggression towards Desdemona, Lodovico questions Othello’s sanity. Knowing what might follow, Iago agrees with the man in hopes that he will the position. Iago is showing what he is like and not what the other characters see in the play. Iago is two-faced and does not care for anyone but himself and only wants the best for him and the worst for others. In comparison to Desdemona who loves and cherishes Othello. So, when she loses the handkerchief that he gave to her at the beginning of their relationship he is angry. 

OTHELLO: “Is’t lost? Is’t gone? Speak; Is’t out of th’way”

DESDEMONA: “Heaven bless us!”

OTHELLO: “Say you!”

DESDEMONA: “It is not lost, but what and if it were?”

OTHELLO: “How?”

DESDEMONA: “I say it is not lost.”

OTHELLO: “Fetch’t, let me see’t.”

DESDEMONA: “Why do I can sir; but I will not now./This is a trick to put me from my suit./Pray you let Cassio be receiv’d again.”

OTHELLO: “Fetch me the handkerchief. My mind misgives” (III.vi, 76-85).

When Iago steals the handkerchief out of Emilia’s hands he uses it as evidence. In his scheme of accusing Desdemona of cheating on Othello. Desdemona can tell that Othello knows she does not have the handkerchief. When she says she does not have it he gets even angrier, which makes the argument more intense. Iago informs Desdemona that Othello has been taken into custody by her father, and must plea to the Duke. As well as convince her father to approve of her choice. 

“I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband;/and so much duty as my mother show’d/to you, preferring you before her father, /so much I challenge that I may profess/due to the Moor my lord” (I iii 183–187).

The situation her mother was in when Brabantio and Desdemona’s mother. She relates to how her mother chose her husband over her father, to make Brabantio understand. Desdemona shows she cares for Othello, Iago is manipulative towards him. Iago is thinking of ways he can make his stories more believable. While talking about Othello behind his back making him believe he cares about him. Desdemona is honest and loyal towards her husband. She does not let her own emotions impede what she says, unlike her husband. 

Iago and Desdemona are the two unique characters in the play's entirety. Their personalities are opposite, and their view of Othello differs. Iago and Desdemona have completely distinct personalities. This is clear through their words and actions, along with the way they act when they are alone. Iago and Desdemona have two very different opinions towards Othello. One is of love and honesty and the other is a manipulative person who uses Othello’s emotions against him. Although their personalities and their opinion of Othello are comparable. They both impact how Othello processes the lies he is being told. They have completely original personalities. 

Work Cited Shakespeare, William, Othello: 1984. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2009.