A Different Point of View

Many stories throughout popular culture have a similar point of view.  While the situations, outcomes, and styles can vary greatly, most stories follow the tale of the protagonist, while the antagonist appears periodically to oppose him.  William Shakespeare's Othello, the Moor of Venice strays greatly from this rule.  Most of the story has been told as the audience follows the actions of the antagonist, Iago.  Through Iago's dialogue, the audience knows very early on his basic plan, along with some modes he may use to accomplish it.  Iago says at the end of Act II, "His soul is so enfettered to her love that she may make, unmake, do what she list, even as her appetite shall play the god with his weak function.  How am I then a villain to counsel Cassio to this parallel course..." (Shakespeare, 1401).  This shows that Iago is aware that what he is doing is villainous and questionable.  Furthermore, since Iago is actually a friend of Othello, the fact that Iago is evil would be a twist if this were told in the traditional manner.  Since the audience is aware to what the actual situation is, it will be surprising to see the characters trust Iago as readily as they do.  The trust they have given to Iago will prove to be his greatest weapon against them.