Iago – The Machiavellian villainTo copy down: A Machiavellian is a term used to describe

someone whose sole purpose is to manipulate and corrupt others for their own gain.

They are often seen as a “puppet master” – they use others as tools to get what they want.

Wednesday 17th July

“The end justifies the means”– This was the belief of Machiavelli, a Medieval political thinker, where the

term comes from

The Machiavellian checklist:

• Is Iago a Machiavellian villain? We will need to look throughout Othello to find these characteristics of a typical Machiavellian villain within Iago.

• 1. Is Iago secretive?• 2. Is Iago manipulative and cunning?• 3. Does Iago show a lack of morals?• 4. Is Iago obsessed with goals,

convinved the ends are justified?

We are going to explore Question 1 together – then the other questions we will split them up

Between us:In what ways is Iago secretive?

Grade boundaries for this task:

• Grade D – Stating your opinion of Iago• Grade C – Giving opinion with a reference to the text (with

at least one quote – Shakespearean language only when writing about the play!)

• Grade B – As for above, but you will then explain how your quote supports your point. Eg. “This means that…”

• Grade A / A* - Doing all above and then repeating it to make a new point about Iago

From the mark scheme “showing insight and perception”

1. Is Iago secretive?

• Iago is considered ‘two-faced’ – swears by Janus – significance?

• Act 1 Scene 1 – “I am not what I am”• Perceived as “honest Iago” all the way through the

play – who calls him this?• Iago hides behind a mask of the loyal soldier• Reveals carefully limited information to Roderigo

(when it suits him) but larger parts of his “plot” only get revealed in his soliloquies to the audience.

2. Is Iago manipulative and cunning?

• Iago manipulates using other’s weaknesses and strengths:

• Brabantio’s racism• Roderigo’s lust for Desdemona• Othello’s jealousy• Cassio’s sense of honour (and ability to get

drunk quickly!)• Questions Cassio’s honesty to create doubt for

Othello

3. Does Iago show a lack of morals?

• Immoral – corrupt, liar, vulgar language and regularly makes sexual references to wind up the other characters – in particular those images involving animals! (ie. Primal and inhuman)

• Shows no remorse – at the end, refuses to speak or apologise for his actions

• Takes advantage of others – leads Roderigo on thinking he has a chance with Desdemona

• Lets others think he is honest and true• Murders both his wife and his ‘friend’

4. Is Iago obsessed with goals, convinced the means justify the end?

• Iago is obsessed with destruction and revenge• Believed all his means were justified.• Reveals himself in soliloquies• “And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets

he’s done my office” – Act 1 Scene 3• “For that I do suspect the lusty Moor hath

leaped into my seat” – Act 2 Scene 1

Come up with 5 questions that have one of the following as the answer

Othello

Desdemona

Venice

Iago

CassioRoderigo

Reputation

HonestJealousy

Bianca

Emilia

The Moor

Cyprus

Splat! – so what do you know?

Othello

Desdemona

Venice

Iago

CassioRoderigo

Reputation

HonestJealousy

Bianca

Emilia

The Moor

Cyprus

SPLAT