Many literary critics, from A.C. Bradley to Harold Bloom, have focused their discussions of Shakespeare's "Othello" not around the title character but around his trusted ensign, "Honest Iago." Iago is Shakespeare's most aloof character; he is also the Bard's most consummate nihilist. When Othello confronts him in the final scene and asks him to account for his conduct, Iago replies cryptically: "Demand me nothing: what you know, you know: From this time forth I never will speak word."