In both the tragedies of King Lear and Othello, the plot is influenced by the evil actions of one character, which exacerbate the tensions already inherent in the relationships between the personages. Both Iago in Othello and Edmund in King Lear feel as if they have been overlooked in favor of someone they see as less deserving, and so their actions are driven by bitter resentment. With similar motivations, the two men also use similar techniques in their attempts to gain power by gaining the trust of other characters and using that trust as a tool in their endeavors. However, once their betrayal is revealed at the end of their respective plays, Iago and Edmund show very different reactions, which will be examined later. Shakespeare's two villains demonstrate how evil exploits weaknesses in human psychology, particularly trust, and their actions sow seeds of destruction that inevitably lead to death. Shakespeare also illustrates the different sources of evil as Iago and Edmund, after being exposed, show two different reactions that reveal the complexity of motivated malignancy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Iago and Edmund profess their desire for revenge and power in their opening speeches. In the opening scene of Othello, Iago explains to Roderigo that Cassio who "never put a squadron into the field" (Othello: Ii22) was given the rank of Othello's lieutenant while Iago, who mentions his exploits in Rhodes and Cyprus, was given the miserable position of Othello's ancients. From his first appearance, Iago has already established the fact that he feels deceived, which provides the reason for his treacherous actions throughout the play. Roderigo understands Iago's disturbance and states that if he were in the same position he "would not follow (Othello)" (O: Ii40) but Iago is more astute than Roderigo and sees an opportunity to transform his long-standing position in turn. own advantage as he says: "I follow him to serve him my turn" (O: Ii42). Because Othello is ancient, Iago can earn the man's trust, and if Othello believes in Iago's honesty, then the villain's deception can be even more devastating. Iago comes out into the open and reveals the facade behind which he will hide for the rest of the play: "I am not what I am" (O: I2Ei.65). Edmund indicates his intention to follow a similar path to that of Iago in his first speech. After being insulted by his father in the first scene of the play, Edmund's precarious social position as a bastard son becomes apparent, and the idea that he is not "legitimate" torments the young man. As he considers the social stigma associated with bastard children, Edmund momentarily loses control of his speech as he reiterates the first syllable of the threatening word: "Why brand us/ With baseness? With baseness? Bastardy? Base, base?" (Lear: I.ii.10). While Iago's resentment stems from his lack of military promotion, Edmund's bitterness is much deeper, because it is the product of his birth and social law. Edmund then decides that if society is against him, then he will obey the most fundamental laws of nature as he tells his abstract mother, "to thy law / My services are bound" (L:I.ii.2). It is from this perspective that Edmund launches his evil campaign to turn his father against his legitimate brother Edgar. The episode that follows Edmund's speech in Act I, Scene ii almost directly parallels the beginning of Act III, Scene iii of Othello. In Edmund's case, the important object is the concocted letter involving Edgar in a plot to kill his father, while the point of interest in Iago's case is the hastyseparation of Cassio from Desdemona. Both antagonists manipulate their situations in similar ways. Edmund quickly pockets the letter before his father's eyes, while Iago indirectly calls Othello's attention to Cassio: "Hah? Ionon like it" (O:III.iii.34). When questioned about the contents of the letter, Edmund simply states, "Nothing, my lord," (L:I.ii.31) just as Iago responds to The Interrogation of Othello with the same response, "Nothing, my ​​​sir" (O: III.iii.36 These two men are intelligent enough to know that by trying to rebuff each other's questions they are only arousing the interest of their intended victim). Edmund and Iago are simply manipulating basic human curiosity by feigning disinterest. Another parallel in the beginnings of their psychological manipulation is that they claim they don't want to involve Cassio and Edgar when Othello tells Iago to tell what happened between Cassio and Roderigo, Iago poses as the lieutenant's friend as he says, "I would rather this tongue were cut out of my mouth / Rather than offend Michael Cassio,” (O: II.iii.221) Edmund uses a similar ploy when Gloucester asks about the rebellious letter: “Do you know your brother's character?” and he replies, "If the thing were good, my lord, I dare say it was yours; but in that regard, I would think it was not... I hope your heart is not in the contents, " (L: I.ii.62-68). Acting as reluctant accusers, Edmund and Iago add layers to their masks of honest morality, which they use as effective weapons, Othello sees "honest Iago" as a loyal servant who is reluctant to denigrate his closest associates, and Gloucester sees Edmund as a pious son who wishes to protect his father's safety but also. he doesn't have a vindictive desire to implicate his brother. Behind a moral facade, Iago and Edmund take advantage of the trust others place in them. Shakespeare's characterizations of Othello and Desdemona reveal them as two honest individuals who share a mutual sense of compassion. Iago's sharp mind perceives the natural morality of the two and exploits it as a weakness. In telling Cassio to beg Desdemona for Othello's mercy, Iago is actually giving good advice to the lieutenant, because Desdemona is understanding and has influence over her husband, but. the villain mischievously manipulates the situation, "When the devils shall display the blackest sins, suggest first with celestial spectacles, as I do now; for while this honest fool urges Desdemona to mend her fortune... so will I transform her virtue in pitch." (O: II.iii.351-360) Shakespeare also defines Edgar and Gloucester as honorable characters. Gloucester's only indiscretion is his callous treatment of Edmund when speaking to Kent in the first scene of the play, but later proves himself by his constant support of Lear, he is as perceptive as Iago and is all too ready to exploit a human weakness when he sees it After exploiting Edgar's faith in his brotherly loyalty, Edmund privately reflects on his true intentions: “A gullible father and a noble brother, whose nature is so far from doing harm that he suspects none; on whose mad honesty my practices are easy." (L: I.ii.179-182) Having already established themselves as innocent bystanders who are simply revealing the truth, Iago and Edmund use their façade of honesty to exploit the trust others place in Both men have extraordinary ability in manipulating others, and both are capable of inciting violence in their victims. In addition to driving Othello to violence, Iago is also able to push Roderigo to argue with Cassio, his father's anger against Edgar and convince Edgar to draw his sword in a mock duelbrotherly in the first scene of Act II. Although the malice of these two men follows the same path in most of their respective works, their very different personalities are revealed once their betrayal is discovered. As soon as Iago's plan is brought to light by Emilia's testimony, he immediately turns to violence by first attempting to kill his wife and then committing the murder. Iago shows absolutely no remorse for his harmful actions resulting in at least five unnecessary deaths as his only response to Othello's questions about his motives is "Ask me nothing; what you know, you know: henceforth I will never say a word" (O: V.ii.302). This callous response in the face of tragedy is what has earned Iago the concept of “motiveless malice,” but his motivations have already been revealed early in the play. Iago is a hateful man, because he subconsciously questions his own worth after being passed over for promotion and having to serve under someone he sees as intrinsically inferior. While his reasoning is irrational and immoral, it is not without motivation. Shakespeare presented in the character of Iago a type of malignant person whose motivations lie in essentially non-intellectual ignorance (Iago has a very keen wit) as he is completely devoid of conscience and cares for no one but himself. Edmund is another face of malice that is more difficult to decipher. After Edgar defeats Edmund in their final duel, Albany asks Goneril whether or not he was aware of his deception outlined in Edgar's letter. Goneril gives Iago's answer: "Ask me not what I know" (L: V.iii.162) but Edmund proves to be a more honorable man than Iago as he willingly confesses the charges as well as what he has not and yet I have been accused of : “What you have accused me of, I have done, / And still, much more, time will bring out” (L: V.iii.164). Even though Edmund's actions throughout the play have been morally reprehensible, he ultimately demonstrates that he has a conscience and is able to consider others when he is not blinded by his own lust for power. Although his change of heart comes too late, Edmund is so moved by the tragedy around him that he reneges on his orders to have Lear and Cordelia executed: "I aspire for life. I mean to do good, / Despite my nature" (L : V.iii.244). His mention of his "own nature" leads to the question of Edmund's motivations. It would be easy to simply say that Edmund was a victim of circumstance, plagued by being born into a negative social stigma, which bred resentment within him, but that is only part of the answer. The idea of ​​his inevitable bitterness is contrary to Edmund's examination of himself at the beginning of the play. Edmund resents the stigma of his birthright, but takes responsibility for his actions and believes others should too, "...when our fortunes are ailing - often due to the excesses of our behavior - we we make the sun, the moon, the stars guilty of our disasters, as if we were evil by necessity, foolish by celestial constraint... Fut, I would have been what I am, if the virginest star in the firmament had shone on my bastardization." (L: I.ii.119-133)With Edmund then, Shakespeare has created a character whose actions are as deplorable as those of Iago, but who is capable of remorse and has a sense of responsibility. Iago remains hateful and silent, while Edmund seeks forgiveness. Although motivated by a similar sense of resentment and bitterness to Iago, when faced with the tragic consequences of his actions, Edmund sees the error of his ways, albeit too late to save Lear and Cordelia. Here.