Exploring Iago from ‘Othello’ as a Machiavellian villain | English

Starter quiz

What is Iago bitter about in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello'?
- having Desdemona, who he loves, marry Othello
- being passed over for a promotion by Othello ✓
- having his best friend Roderigo reject him
What does Iago do in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello' to get revenge on Othello?
- Iago decides to tell Brabantio that Desdemona has eloped with Othello ✓
- Iago decides to organise a group of armed men to look for Othello
- Iago encourages Roderigo to woo Desdemona
In Act 1 of 'Othello', what does Iago refer heavily to when telling Brabantio about Desdemona and Othello's elopement?
- Othello's military rank
- Desdemona's promiscuity
- Othello's race ✓
Which quote from Shakespeare's 'Othello' proves that Iago is planning to be duplicitous in how he acts towards Othello?
- ''We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Cannot be truly follow'd.''
- ''trimm'd in... visages of duty, keep yet their hearts attending on themselves'' ✓
- ''Call up her father, Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight''
Which quote from Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello' presents Iago as diabolical?
- ''Plague him with flies''
- ''I am not what I am'' ✓
- ''Awake the snorting citizens with the bell''
How does Iago reveal himself to be a bigot in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello'?
- He creates division between him and the Venetians.
- He uses racial slurs against Othello. ✓
- He is overtly sexist towards Desdemona and Emilia.

What is a Machiavellian villain?
- someone who gets what they want in cunning, ruthless and immoral ways ✓
- someone who repents for their wrongdoings
- someone who is in alliance with the devil
What does Iago scheme to do in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello'?
- Make Desdemona believe Othello has been unfaithful with his wife, Emilia
- Make Othello believe Desdemona has been unfaithful with Cassio ✓
- Separate Othello and Desdemona by pretending there is a crisis in Cyprus
Why is the form in which Iago reveals his true intentions in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello' significant?
- a monologue reveals he is trying to persuade others to join his schemes
- a soliloquy shows that he is plotting in private, like a Machiavellian villain ✓
- a soliloquy reveals he is embarrassed to share his true views
In the play 'Othello' what does Iago call upon to bring his 'monstrous' ideas to light?
- evil spirits
- hell and night ✓
- Roderigo and his brothers
Read the following quote from Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello': "And will as tenderly be led by the nose As asses are.'' What is Iago saying about Othello here?
- He is gullible. ✓
- He is too lustful.
- He is a traitor.
Why might Shakespeare characterise Iago as a Machiavellian villain so early on in the play 'Othello'?
- to show Iago's detrimental effect on the tragic hero ✓
- to show Iago's descent into hell
- to warn the audience not to be treacherous

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Niccolo Machiavelli's 'The Prince’ proposes that in order to get and maintain power you have to be prepared to be evil.
A Machiavellian villain is scheming and operates in secrecy.
A Machiavellian villain is a 'puppet master’, manipulating and using others as tools.
Iago reveals his commitment to knavery, through his soliloquies.

Iago is simply a villain - unkind and evil.

Iago's character as a villain can be looked at through different lenses. One is Machiavellian.

Machiavellian - Describes someone who gets what they want in cunning, ruthless and immoral ways.
Soliloquy - An act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud by oneself.
Knavery - A deceitful or dishonest act.
Treachery - Betrayal of trust.