Top Three Shakespeare Villains

While Shakespeare is known for penning many heroic monologues from Henry V  to Hamlet, lets turn our attention toward the immortal bards darker nature. Shakespeare has a knack for giving a sharp tongue to his tyrants, traitors, and antagonists. The following is a list of the three most villainous Shakespeare characters along with their best monologues. #1 Iago from Othello Iago is  Shakespeares most sinister (and in some ways most mysterious) character. He is the main antagonist in Othello. He is Othellos ensign and the husband of Emilia, who is the attendant of Desdemona, Othellos wife. A Machiavellian conniver, Othello deeply trusts Iago, and Iago uses this trust to betray Othello while still appearing honest.   Iagos motives also remain a mystery, leading to lengthy debates between theatergoers and Shakespeare scholars alike. While some argue his motivation is to be promoted, others believe Iago enjoys destruction for the sake of it. In Act II Scene III, Iago delivers one of his most villainous monologues  as he reveals his plot to overthrow Othellos sense of reason and trust. He explains his scheme to make it seems as though Othellos wife Desdemona has been unfaithful. Here are some quotes from the monologue that exemplify Iagos manipulative and mysterious nature: And whats he then that says I play the villain?When this advice is free I give and honest.How am I then a villainTo counsel Cassio to this parallel course,Directly to his good?So will I turn her virtue into pitch,And out of her own goodness make the netThat shall enmesh them all. #2 Edmund from King Lear Nicknamed Edmund the Bastard, Edmund is a character in Shakespeares tragedy, King Lear. He is the black sheep of the family, and self-conscious because he believes his father favors the so-called good brother over him. On top of that, Edmund is particularly bitter as he was born out of wedlock, meaning his birth was with someone other than his fathers wife. In Act I Scene II, Edmund delivers a monologue in which he reveals his intention to make a grab for power that will send the kingdom into a bloody civil war. Here are some memorable lines: Why bastard? wherefore base?When my dimensions are as well compact,My mind as generous, and my shape as true,As honest madams issue?Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land.Our fathers love is to the bastard EdmundAs to th legitimate. Fine word- legitimate!Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed,And my invention thrive, Edmund the baseShall top th legitimate. I grow; I prosper.Now, gods, stand up for bastards! #3 Richard from Richard III Before he can ascend to the throne and become king, the hunchbacked Richard, Duke of Gloucester, does a lot of double-crossing and killing first. In one of his more diabolical moves, he attempts to win the hand of Lady Anne, who at first loathes the power-hungry creep but eventually believes him sincere enough to marry. Unfortunately for her, she is completely wrong, as his villainous monologue  in Act I Scene II reveals. The following are excerpts from Richards speech: Was ever woman in this humour wood?Was ever woman in this humour won?Ill have her; but I will not keep her long.Hath she forgot already that brave prince,Edward, her lord, whom I, some three months since,Stabbd in my angry mood at Tewksbury?My dukedom to a beggarly denier,I do mistake my person all this while:Upon my life, she finds, although I cannot,Myself to be a marvellous proper man.