What makes a successful villain? In the case of Shakespeare's Othello, Iago's ability to manipulate the people around him with his words is what leads to his success. The play Othello is a tragedy. True to form, the play sees several deaths, all due to Iago's influences. The main theme of the drama is revenge. The events that occur are due to Iago's quest for revenge. Iago manipulates people and events throughout the play in order to achieve this revenge. In Othello, Iago manipulates the situations he finds himself in, the people around him, and the words that come out of his mouth to ensure the success of his mission of revenge. Iago impacts everyone in the room. Although he is an enemy, a husband and a confidant, he is not a friend. He is not really an acquaintance of Roderigo and Desdemona. They become pawns that he subsequently moves and manipulates. Cassio, however, is a fellow soldier who becomes his rival. Iago wants the promotion acquired by Cassio. Emilia plays a less passionate role with Iago. She is his wife, even if she is not very happy about it. Their marriage is unhappy, largely due to Iago's insults and his negative view of women. The relationship that the play focuses on is that between Iago and Othello. Iago serves under Othello in the army. Their relationship has two sides: Iago's hatred of Othello and Othello's trust in Iago. Othello depends on Iago as his confidant, which makes Iago's manipulations possible. Iago is the bad guy. He is vindictive, selfish and knows people well. All of his relationships in the play revolve around his vindictive behavior, which he uses to manipulate people into doing what he wants. At the beginning of ...... middle of paper ...... statements in the right way. He is so devious that he is only discovered at the end of the play when they can do nothing to right his wrongs. What truly makes Iago the ultimate villain is his ability to manipulate the world around him. Works CitedBloom., Harold. “Flower on Iago from Othello.” Bloom's literature. Facts about File, Inc. Web. February 12, 2014. Boyce, Charles. “Jago.” Bloom's literature. Facts about File, Inc. Web. February 12, 2014. Canning, Albert Stratford George. "Shakespeare studied in six plays". London: TF Unwin, 1907. Shakespeare Online. August 20, 2009. February 19, 2014. Christofides, RM “Iago and Equivocation: The Seduction and Damnation of Othello.” Early Modern Literary Studies 15.1 (2009): 6. Literary Reference Center. Internet. February 12, 2014.Shakespeare, William. Signet Classic Shakespeare Series. New York: New American Library, 1998. Print.