Perhaps the most interesting and exotic character in the tragic play "Othello," by William Shakespeare, is "Honest" Iago. Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that benefits him and moves him closer toward his goals. He is the main driving force in this play, pushing Othello and everyone else towards their tragic end. Iago is not your ordinary villain. The role he plays is rather unique and complex, far from what one might expect. Iago is smart. He is an expert judge of people and their characters and...
Roderigo maims him, and all that time, Iago - his friend - is behind it all.

Lowly Iago, is capable of anything - not even Othello is safe from this villain. Othello holds Iago to be his close friend and advisor. He believes Iago to be a person, "of exceeding honesty, [who] knows all qualities, with learned spirit of human dealings." [Act III, Scene III, Line 257] Yes, he does know all about human dealings, but no he is not honest. He uses the trust Othello puts in him to turn Othello eventually into a jealous man, looking everywhere.