Heroes and Villains

Right now, I am currently attempting to decide exactly who the main character of Othello truly is. Obviously, Othello is a prime candidate. Besides the fact that the play is named after him, Othello is the target of all of Iago's plans. It also appears that it will be Othello's flaw of "a free and open nature/That thinks men honest that but seem to be so" that causes trouble (I.iii.379-380). This has already occurred in his trust that Iago's "honesty and love doth mince this matter" of Cassio's actions and, because of this misplaced trust in Iago, he strips Cassio of his rank on the spot (II.iii.226-228). This flaw indicates that Othello will likely be the tragic hero.

Yet at the same time, it appears that Iago is the driving force of the action. Nearly everything that has occurred thus far in the play's action, from Brabantio's discover of his daughter's marriage to Cassio's dismissal and decision to appeal to Desdemona, has been a direct result of Iago's suggestion and manipulation. While it appears that Iago is Othello's antagonist, in a way, Iago thus far has actually been a more important character than Othello. It appears that this play might actually focus not on a hero's downfall, but on the man who created that downfall.