Ia´go

(3 syl. ), ancient of Othello, commander of the Venetian army, and husband of Emilia. Iago hated Othello, both because Ca io (a Florentine) was promoted to the lieutenancy over his head, and also from a suspicion that the Moor had tampered with his wife; but he concealed his hatred so artfully that Othello felt confident of his “love and honesty.” Iago strung together such a ma of circumstantial evidence in proof of Des demon a’s love for Ca io, that the Moor killed her out of jealousy. One main argument was that Des demon a had given Ca io the very handkerchief which Othello had given her as a love-gift; but in reality Iago had induced his wife Emilia to purloin the handkerchief. When this villainy was brought to light, Othello stabbed Iago; but his actual death is no incident of the tragedy.—Shakespeare, Othello (1611). The cool malignity of Iago, silent in his resentment, subtle in his designs, and studious at once of his interest and his vengeance,...are such proofs of Shakespeare’s skill in human nature as it would be vain to seek in any modern writer.—Dr. Johnson. ⁂ Bryon, speaking of John P. Kemble, says: “Was not his ’Iago’ perfection—particularly the last look? I was close to him, and I never saw an English countenance half so expre ive.”