A Heart on a Sleeve.

Iago's scheme to tarnish Othello's name and to ruin him as a person begins from the opening of the first scene. Iago plans to ruin the Moor revolve around his suspicions that "the lusty Moor hath leaped into my seat...And nothing can or shall content my soul till I am evened with him, wife for wife..." (Act II Scene I 275-279). Iago's deceit foreshadows the tragedy that befalls Othello and Desdemona. He presents himself as a humble servant to everyone but his own servant Roderigo. Othello is even fooled by the air he puts on "I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter" (Act II Scene 3 224-225). Iago can be best described as two faced.

Iago manipulates and plants the seeds of jealousy and doubt. He uses those around him like pawns in a game of chess. Iago, however, cannot accept complete blame for what happens. Othello must take some of the responsibility. The one fault of Othello, his inability to prevent his emotions from controlling him, allows Iago the ability to take control of a situation and play off the emotions of others. Iago even admits to his deceiving manner, "But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at. I am not what I am"(Act I Scene I 66-67). From the onset the audience is aware that Iago is the antagonist. He openly admits that his intentions are not honorable. Iago's success also depends on his ability to hide his true emotions. This allows him to portray himself in a false manner. It only takes one person to set the stage for destruction. The key to his success lies in his ability to convince those around him that he is trustful and then his ability to maintain that trust despite inconsistent suspicion that something is wrong.

The tragedy of Othello is comparable to the game Jenga. Removing one block can cause the whole tower to collapse, this is the same in Othello, remove Iago and the entire scheme to ruin Othello falls apart. Without Iago would Othello and Desdemona's love stood the test of time? No one can know for sure, unless we could gain access to Shakespeare's thoughts, but we can learn from this tragedy that you cannot allow emotions to control your life. If you wear your heart on your sleeve like Othello, it will only allow those around you to take advantage.