The End: Iago a failure

Othello by William Shakespeare

So in the end, only a couple of the main characters are dead (disappointing), Cassio somehow still lives (also disappointing), and Iago is found out and is subject to trial (extremely disappointing and kind of lame). This is the opposite a reaction of someone normal, however I have the disposition that if events are to turn wrong in a tragic play, then they better do so with a prejudice. I mean scorched Earth! I expected that all of these fools scurrying around in Iago's little game of mouse trap would all soon befall each other, completely ignorant of Iago's involvement as he slips out the back Keyser Soze style (Usual Suspects reference). Instead only a couple of them die, and most all of them die knowing that it was honest Iago's plan. This was bound to bring him to an end. No one can be so two faced and play so many separate roles and get away from it. While pretending to be Rodrigo's companion but also playing as loyal to Cassio or admitting with Othello as witness to his speaking of the adultery but also not wanting to place himself as someone involved, soon his web of lies all came crashing down. I cringed knowing his plan had come to a fatal roadblock as he admitted to what he told Othello, "I told him what I thought, and told no more Than what he found himself was apt and true" (Shakespeare V.ii.175-176). This failure is most unimpressive. In some way it is not that Iago did a poor deed of planning these events. He is a master of illusion and manipulation. However, he must have foreseen how some unlucky occurrences could inhibit his goal. If he had pulled his plan off covertly, and let Othello die a monster in the eyes of those around him, then Iago could be called the greatest villain ever. However, he failed and was caught. Therefore the final verdict is that Iago is a mediocre Villain. That is the end of Othello.