Iago As A Villain Analysis

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Nothing but an Evil Villain Have you ever read a book and thought of a character a certain way but then viewed the movie and the character was nothing like you thought? This happens to many people. If you watch the movie before reading the book, you tend to view the character like the one in the movie as you read the book. For me, once I viewed Oliver Parker’s 1995 version of Othello with Kenneth Branaugh as Iago, I couldn’t think of Iago as anything but the one he portrayed in the 1995 version. Oliver Parker’s version of Othello uses a combination of Iago’s emotions towards the audience and his confidence during times of danger to leave the viewer thinking of Iago as nothing but an evil villain that manipulates other characters throughout the play. One method Kenneth Branaugh use to persuade the audience to think Iago is a villain is emotion. The first instance of this is at the end of act two scene three, right after Iago tells Cassio to talk to Desdemona in order to win the general back, Cassio says, “You advise me well Iago.” Iago then proceeds to hug Cassio. Normally you would think that this is a kind gesture …show more content…
After Iago has planted the seed of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness into Othello’s head, Othello and Iago cut their palms and unite as blood brothers, a form of absolute trust. They then proceed to hug and as they hug, Iago says, “I am your own forever.” In the average movie scene, you would think that Iago is telling the truth and trying to help Othello but right after he says that, he looks directly at the audience, smiles, then proceeds to cry into Othello’s shoulder in order to sell his emotions. The quick smile at the camera lets the audience know that Iago has successfully deceived Othello. Both of the hug scenes let the audience know Iago sees his evil plans coming together, and also that no other character has caught on to Iago’s evil

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