g the general. According to the critics, Iago's quest for revenge is evil, sadistic, and makes him the antagonist of the play. Empson concludes that the entire audience hates Iago because he is the obvious, antagonistic villain, who acts out of selfishness and feels no remorse (45). Auden agrees with the Empson when he refers to Iago as, " the practical joker without motive (50)." All examples of revenge in the play, however, can be justified. Iago seeks revenge on Cassio because he was given a promotion which he did not deserve. In this incidence, Iago acts as any other person in the same circumstance would. Cassio destroyed Iago's dream, and Iago acts out of passion to win the position from him. Iago is angry at Othello for giving the lieutenancy to an undeserving man. Iago also has reason to believe that Othello had an affair with his wife, Emilia. Iago says, "I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets ‘has done my office." Iago's disappointment at being denied the promotion, and his anger over Othello's affair with his wife, lead Iago to seek revenge upon Othello. In all matters, Iago was acting in a manner which he believed was justified. By deceiving Othello and the other characters, Iago was merely protecting himself and his wife. At the start of the play, Desdemona and Othello deceive Desdemona's father, Barbantio, by eloping. Iago even says to Othello, "she did deceive her father, marrying you...To seel her father's eyes up close as oak.." Othello agrees with Iago, and replies, " And so she did." This deception is considered harmless because Othello loves Desdemona, and she is the fulfillment of his happiness. When Iago deceives Othello to search for the fulfillment of his happiness, it should also be considered harmless. Like Othello, Iago only seeks to secure his dream. Despite the fact that he is viewed as an antagonist, Iago has heroic and protagonistic attributes. Iago yearns to secure a ...
