# Iago — Othello character guide

> Iago in Othello by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** honest Iago, good Iago

**First appearance:** 0000-othello

## Snapshot

Othello's trusted ensign, who wears the mask of blunt honesty while nursing a grudge over the promotion he believes he was owed.

## Who they are

Passed over for lieutenant in favor of a bookish Florentine, Iago professes loyalty while declaring to Roderigo that he follows the Moor only to serve himself. He reads people with unnerving precision — their appetites, their insecurities, their need to be reassured — and treats trust as a tool. His cheerful asides and crude jokes give the play its engine: a mind that turns every virtue it encounters into a weapon.

## Relationships

### [Othello](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/othello)

_psychological_

Iago is Othello's trusted ensign who secretly despises him and masterfully manipulates him into murderous jealousy.

### [Emilia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/emilia)

_family_

Emilia is Iago's wife, but he treats her with contempt and uses her as an unwitting tool in his plot.

### [Desdemona](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/desdemona)

_psychological_

Desdemona trusts Iago as an honest friend, but he secretly manipulates her husband into believing she is unfaithful.

### [Othello](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/othello)

_psychological_

Iago is Othello's trusted ensign who secretly despises him and masterfully manipulates him into murderous jealousy.

### [Emilia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/emilia)

_family_

Emilia is Iago's wife, but he treats her with contempt and uses her as an unwitting tool in his plot.

### [Othello](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/othello)

_psychological_

Iago is Othello's trusted ensign who secretly despises him and masterfully manipulates him into murderous jealousy.

### [Desdemona](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/desdemona)

_psychological_

Desdemona trusts Iago as an honest friend, but he secretly manipulates her husband into believing she is unfaithful.

### [Emilia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/emilia)

_family_

Emilia is Iago's wife, but he treats her with contempt and uses her as an unwitting tool in his plot.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Expresses hatred for Othello and Cassio; reveals his duplicitous nature ('I am not what I am') and his plan to manipulate others for revenge.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Pretends to have moral scruples about murder; warns Othello about Brabantio's potential legal action.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Assigned by Othello to escort Desdemona to Cyprus; later manipulates Roderigo, urging him to put money in his purse and follow.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Plots against Othello and Cassio, manipulating Roderigo and revealing his jealousy and desire for revenge.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Orchestrates Cassio's downfall and reveals his manipulative plan.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Iago feigns friendship with Cassio, offering to help by drawing Othello away, furthering his manipulative scheme.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Receives letters from Othello and agrees to deliver them.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Manipulates Othello by feigning reluctance and warning against jealousy; later obtains the handkerchief from Emilia.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iv)

Briefly appears, feigning concern about Othello's anger while continuing his manipulation.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Orchestrates the conversation with Cassio about Bianca, manipulates Othello's emotions, and advises strangling Desdemona.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Feigns ignorance of the cause of Othello's anger, later manipulates Roderigo to attack Cassio.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Orchestrates the attack on Cassio and kills Roderigo to cover his schemes.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii)

Exposed by Emilia, stabs her, and is captured; refuses to speak further.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters/iago
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/othello_se/characters