Othello: the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
Once again, Iago puts his schemes to work and makes life hell for all. Specifically, Iago dispatches Roderigo who attempted to kill Cassio on Iago's behalf. This treachery characterizes Iago finally as a liar and opportunistic traitor.
Throughout the play, Roderigo has complained about Iago's treatment of him. Iago has convinced him to sell all of his possessions and to get attacked by a drunk Cassio in return for no progress with Desdemona. Although Iago's ability to convince Roderigo to remain in Cyprus characterizes him as a clever manipulator, Iago's murder of Roderigo reveals him to be a sinister and unfeeling psychopath.
"(Stabs RODERIGO.) Oh, damned Iago! Oh, inhuman dog!" (V.i.63).
After all of Roderigo's blind working for Iago, Iago throws him aside to appear to be bringing Cassio's murderer to justice. To Iago, Roderigo was simply a pawn to be used only to advance his schemes. There is literally no one who Iago views as a person; all are obstacles.
Ironically, before this point, Roderigo represented the truth in the play. Even though Roderigo took part in Iago's deplorable plans, he was the only one to recognize Iago's dishonesty and pernicious behavior. In killing him, Iago revealed himself to despise truth and stifle it when at all possible.
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