As the play comes to an end, Iago's deception and manipulation is finally revealed. Emilia is able to piece together what Iago has done, and shares he truth with the Othello and the Venetian men. As Emilia shares the truth Iago continuously threatens his wife and tells her to go home and stay silent: "Zounds, hold your peace. [...] Be wise, and get you home Draws his sword" (V.ii.232-236). Iago kills Emilia for her betrayal, displaying his innate evil. Iago does not gain anything by killing his wife. He is already found out by the time he kills Emilia, killing her with no real purpose. Iago's murderous actions connect back to his need to seek revenge. He plotted Othello's downfall because he did not get promoted to lieutenant and he thought that the General slept with his wife. The plot of the play is driven by Iago's obligation to seek revenge, and Emilia's murder is his final statement of evil.
Embodying the devil throughout the play, Iago physically represents the devil in the final scene. After Othello realizes that Iago deceived him into killing Desdemona, he is furious and tries to kill Iago. Addressing Iago, the General claims, "If thou be'st a devil, I cannot kill thee" (V.ii.300). Othello stabs the traitor but Iago responds, "I bleed, sir, but not killed" (V.ii.302). According to Othello's statement, Iago embodies the devil because he does not die after being stabbed. Iago's survival enforces the possibility that he is the literal devil, rather than just an evil person. He brings down the Venetian General and causes the deaths of three honest characters without remorse. Iago's avoidance of death is his final assertion of superiority, displaying that he is stronger and smarter than all other characters.
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