Shakespeare is known for creating memorable characters, and his villains are often especially intriguing. Aaron and Iago are both villains in revenge tragedies by Shakespeare. In Titus Andronicus, which is believed to be Shakespeare's first tragedy, even though most of the characters are far from admirable, Aaron is the main evildoer. Iago is the main antagonist in Othello, a later tragedy. Although there are a few differences between them, Aaron and Iago are quite similar.
[...] Titus, unfortunately, trusts Aaron's word and lets him cut off his hand ( 3.1 .151-191). Iago, too, is trusted by everyone around him, so much, in fact, that he is constantly described as ( etc.). Othello even believes Iago over Desdemona, his own wife, when he tells him that she has been unfaithful. By gaining the trust of others, Aaron and Iago are able to manipulate them at their will. They tell others what to do or think and are obeyed. [...]
[...] Another important aspect in which Aaron and Iago differ is in the believability and complexity of their characters. Aaron is pure evil and delights in it. He was villainous prior to the events of the play, as he soliloquizes in Act Five ( 2.124 his motivation, if he has any, is never disclosed. Because of this, he comes across as rather one- dimensional. Iago, however, is a bit more complex. The audience or reader is able to discern his thought processes through his dialogue and his soliloquies, especially, and can see the different ways he acts around different people. [...]
[...] Aaron and Iago are the puppeteers of their plays. They dictate the majority of the action with their lies and manipulations. Obviously, Shakespeare created very similar characters in Aaron and Iago in many ways. Both are villains in his revenge plays; they are major characters and have soliloquies. They have several personality traits in common including their confidence in and love for themselves, their lack of consideration for anyone else, and their realization and acceptance of their own villainy. Aaron and Iago also both develop intricate plans to attack their enemies and use others to help them accomplish their goals. [...]
[...] Later, when Rodorigo tells Iago that he is going to drown himself for love of Desdemona, Iago replies, have look'd upon the world/ for foure times seven yeares, and since I could distinguish/ betwixt a Benefit, and an Injurie: I never found man that/ knew how to love himselfe” ( 1.3 .365-368). According to Iago, he is the only man that knows how to properly love himself, and he would sooner change himself into a baboon than kill himself for a woman ( 1.3 .369-371). [...]
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