Iago is one of the most famous villains of pre-modern literature, first introduced in Shakespeare's Othello. His deceptive personality and complex nature are portrayed in such a way that readers are amazed by his ingenious schemes. At the beginning of Shakespeare's Othello, Iago is portrayed as trustworthy and honest, but readers quickly realize that he is the opposite of what he seems. Although Iago's personality and thoughts are revealed less in MacDonald's Goodnight Desdemona, he carries on the same immoral legacy as Othello. During performances, he pits his friends against each other who look to him for guidance and support. Iago thirsts to improve this status in society, which leads him to take advantage of people's good nature and even goes to the extreme of killing anyone who stands between him and his plans. In Shakespeare's Othello and McDonald's Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), Iago manipulates and deceives both Othello and Desdemona with his language and personality, which leads to different results. The personalities of Othello and Desdemona were portrayed differently in the two plays and are susceptible to Iago's mind games. In Shakespeare's Othello, Othello is a deep character who has a genuine personality. He is seen as too trustworthy and continually tries to look for the good in people. Despite his honored reputation in the state and status as a general, he is ridiculed by his society due to his dark completion. Othello recognizes himself as an outsider and is sometimes extremely conscientious. His quality of judging himself and his reputation in the eyes of others makes him a target for Iago. If I were the Moor, I wouldn't want... middle of paper... Esperare's Othello. The actions of Othello and Desdemona within the two plays are directed by Iago. He uses his reputation and finds flaws in the personalities of others to his advantage. In Shakespeare's Othello and MacDonald's Goodnight Desdemona, Iago deceives Othello and Desdemona, which leads to two different outcomes. Works CitedMacDonald, Ann-Marie. Goodnight Desdemona (good morning Juliet). New York: Grove, 1998. Print Shakespeare, William and David M. Bevington. Othello. Toronto: Bantam, 1988. Print.Philip, McGuire C. “Othello as “Sage of Reason”” Shakespeare Quarterly 24.2 (1973): 198-209. Print.Laura, Snyder. "Constance Ledbelly's Birthday: Construction of the Feminist Archetype of Self in Ann-Marie MacDonald's Goodnight Desdemona." Text and Presentation 2005 (2005): 43-55. Press.