Who is the main character in Shakespeare's Othello? Othello or Iago?

Othello In William Shakespeare's Othello, the complex relationship and roles of Iago and Othello confuse the audience of who the main character of the play really is. Although Iago certainly plays a major role in the play as the villain, the main plot of the play emanates around Othello as changes occur. The audiences sympathize with Othello throughout his heroic rise and tragic fall, thus proving him as the main character of the play. Othello …

…many sides of Othello's multi-dimensional character. Iago acts merely as a straightforward force of evil applying on Othello while conflicts occur in Othello, developing eventually, into his tragedy. The audience may marvel at the genius of Iago's immense scheme, but will never sympathize with him. In other words, when the play is over, one may think of Iago as a cunning character with his head, one will feel the agony of Othello through one's heart.