Both Iago and Edmund possess traits which are both Vice-like and Machiavellian, however Iago leans more towards the Machiavellian figure (but is still strongly Vice-like), as does Edmund but on a lesser level as his motives are clearer than Iago's. Iago has a strong ability to convince other characters of his honesty and loyalty towards them, but the audience are immediately introduced to his intense passion for revenge despite the lack of real reason in seeking so. Iago represents the true form of villainy and is immensely unpleasant throughout the play which is shown to the audience.Edmund is similar to Iago in the fact that he is also seeking revenge and feels like he has been treated unjustly and must get what he thinks he deserves.
Both characters aim to climb up the social hierarchy and gain financial superiority by using other characters and they are prepared to hurt the source of this wealth in doing so; this trait is very Machiavel-like. Both characters show similar traits in the way they use the idea of seeming and appearing as a virtuous character.This view prompts at their roles as Machiavellian as the Machiavelli figure is far more controlling and aware of other characters than the Vice figure, and knows how to be viewed in a well, righteous manner by other characters. However, in this particular example, he does so by using devil imagery, which could suggest that he is more Vice-like. Within a soliloquy (2:3), Iago says: "When devils will the blackest sins put on /They do suggest at first with heavenly shows /As I do now".
This is a direct reference to Iago being like the devil, which is closely associated with the Vice figure from the medieval morality plays.This idea of seeming is apparent throughout both plays. For instance, Iago says directly to the audience that he will "pour this pestilence into his [Othello's] ear"; the image of 'pestilence' implies that Iago poison Othello's mind, driving him into a whirlpool of jealousy. G. K Hunter agrees with this idea when he said that Iago is the type of character that finds[1] and he does so by keeping his image untainted also.
Edmund, similarly, manipulates Gloucester when he shows him the letter supposedly written by Edgar. This is seen in 1:2 when Edmund says to Gloucester: "I beseech you, sir, pardon me.It is a letter from my brother that I have not all o'er-read. And for so much as I have perused, I find it not fit for your o'erlooking". This evidently suggests that Edmund appears respectful and concerned about Gloucester's reaction to Edgar's letter but he clearly has the intention of showing him the letter. Both Iago and Edmund compulsively lie in attempt to manipulate how a character perceives another character, while appearing as the individual whom is thoughtful and caring about everybody.
Additionally, Shakespeare uses Iago and Edmund to manipulate other characters and create majority of the storyline.One theme which is evident in both Iago and Edmund is the way they use other people's positive characteristics, and turn them into weaknesses for their own advantage. A key example of this is when Iago says in a soliloquy that he will "have our Michael Cassio on the hip, / Abuse him to the Moor" (2:1:296-297). This shows that he aims to take power over Cassio, and then tell Othello negative things about him to fuel anger and jealousy regarding Desdemona.
Additionally, in the following scene, Iago uses Cassio's inability to control how much alcohol he consumes to his advantage.This shows Machiavellian characteristics because it shows how well-thought out his plans are and that he does not feel guilty about taking advantage of people's weaknesses for his own gain. Maik Goth agree Similarly, Edmund in 'King Lear' also portrays similar attitudes towards other characters, especially his father Gloucester and brother Edgar. He, also in a soliloquy, explains to the audience that "a credulous father and a brother noble, / Whose nature is so far from doing harms / That he suspects none - on whose foolish honesty / My practises ride easy" (1:2:177-180).This shows that he thinks his father and brother are the ideal type of people for his plan as the father is gullible and brother would never imagine anyone wanting to hurt him. Therefore, this emphasises the fact that Edmund has distinct Machiavellian traits.
Notably, although Iago and Edmund are similar in method, the way in which they manipulate others differ, for instance a lot of events which take place for Iago are based on luck (e. g. Desdemona dropping the handkerchief) whereas Edmund has a clear plan and does not just go along with what happens by chance.Furthermore, throughout the play, Iago does not seem to have any clear aim apart from destroying Othello, and even this he does not seem have any known reason to do so.
Whereas Edmund, on the other hand, has a clear motive and reasoning behind what he does - gaining status and become the 'legitimate' child of Gloucester. An argument which suggests that Iago is more Vice-like is the lack of clear motive in his actions, this differs from Edmund as Shakespeare familiarises the audience with his motive of gaining the same status and respect as his brother Edgar.In Iago's case, Shakespeare does not explicitly say what the motives of Iago are apart from hinting that he is unhappy with Othello for appointing Cassio as Lieutenant and believing that Othello slept with Emilia, his wife. However, these reasons alone do not appear to be the reason why he plots and plans against Othello, suggesting the Iago may actually be purely devilish and evil rather than have ambitions and aims as a Machiavellian figure would.Samuel Taylor Coleridge emphasises this with the famous phrase [2], implying that Iago does not have a motive for his actions but does so purely because he is evil. This contrasts with Edmund because his motives are clear throughout the play, disclosed to the audience in his first soliloquy when he says "Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land: / Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund".
This may be almost as compensation of the discrimination he has faced all his life and one way of getting equal with society.Jacobean audiences would have been particularly alive to this as they would have very likely seen illegitimate children as a burden upon society and social outcasts. Shakespeare's creation of such a character could be a way of addressing existing minorities within society and implying that they also can claim rights, as they possess the same attributes and abilities as those born in a natural, socially accepted manner. A key theme which is present in both plays is the idea of jealousy and envy Iago and Edmund possess towards other characters.
The assertion that Iago envies and despises those who are superior to him is supported by Neville Coghill who states that[3]. The latter part of this critics view is most recognisable when Iago says in a soliloquy "He hath a daily beauty in his life/That makes me ugly" about Cassio, moments before stabbing him. This implies that Iago is somewhat envious of Cassio but not due to his physical appearance or other meanings along those lines, more so his prestigious background which has allowed him to be beautiful and elegant in his mannerisms which Iago wants but does not have.This is also apparent in Edmund quite clearly as he is envious of his brother Edgar, suggested in an emotive soliloquy which discloses how strongly Edmund feels towards the discrimination he has received for being an illegitimate son to his father Gloucester.
His negative feelings come out within his soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 2. These strong, emotive feelings which Iago and Edmund show a similarity between both characters; they both internally feel vulnerable and belittled in front of figures, such as Cassio/Othello and Edgar/Gloucester.Furthermore, both Iago and Edmund share views on religion and belief which can sometimes oppose the views to Elizabethan Protestant audiences. The view that Iago did believe in religion and was not explicitly an atheist is supported by A. C Bradley who assumes that[4]. However, this may imply that Iago has views on religion, not necessarily positive, which he used to relate to the audience and used as a form of building a relationship with the audience.
This can be seen when Iago says the phrase "I am what I am"(1. 1).Iago uses this particular to foreshadow what he will do to Othello however Shakespeare could have also used this to emphasise the idea that Iago is opposite to God - he is devilish. On the whole, Iago promotes attitudes such as going to extremes for his own personal gain, deceiving, backstabbing and demoralising of women etc.
This assumes that Iago was not reflecting religious, virtuous traits of the conservative audience, but in fact villainous characteristics which are Machiavellian. Similarly, Edmund also shows traits which oppose religion, however he is more explicit in the way he does than Iago.The most vivid example is how he mocks Gloucester's views upon how astrology impacts the occurrences which happens in their lives; he does this when he says: "This is the excellent foppery of the world that when we are sick in fortune—often the surfeit of our own behaviour—we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars, as if we were villains by necessity" (1:2). This, evidently, shows that Edmund believes that if people were to be bad, they would be regardless of any other Godlike or astrological figure.The view of Edmund's would have strongly opposed contemporary audience views, assuming that he is a Vice-like character.
This, of course, challenges A. C Bradley's view on the character having some sort of religious belief. Overall the characters, Iago and Edmund, both display strong attributes of Machiavellian and Vice-like figures, with Iago being more apparently Machiavellian due to the level of complexity in his character however still strongly Vice-like & Edmund leaning more towards the Vice-like figure. As they both show very complex human characteristics, they are not the simplistic types of Vice and Machiavellian characters.The Seven Deadly Sins are closely linked with the Machiavellian figure and most, if not all, traits are visible within the character of Iago - this can be seen in human mannerisms in real life. Although Iago is a negative character, he possesses significant intellect in order to arrange and devise such an extravagant plan and convince and manipulate other characters during the process.
Both Iago and Edmund seek a higher social status but Edmund does not only possess a thirst for land but is also against society due to the discrimination he has received that has deprived him of the same status as his legitimate brother Edgar.This makes him Machiavellian as he is willing to do anything to achieve his aims. One would assume that critics of Othello would also agree that Iago is a strong Machiavellian figure, however many assume the view that Iago is in fact a Vice-like figure, as described as a 'demi-devil' by A. C Bradley, and not intelligent or a genius at all.
This is suggested by A. C Bradley when asked if he thinks Iago is a Machiavellian villain to which he disagrees and says that[5].
