The Odyssey

Othello's Villainous Motives

In Shakespeare's Othello, the character of Iago is one of the playwright's most complicated villains. He is cruel and misleading as he causes misfortune to others in order to make himself more confident and superior. However, initially Iago's evil actions are based from his self-interests and partially rational motivations. As the tragedy progresses, his motives become less clear and he becomes obsessively driven by irrational hatred.

Othello, a Christian Moor and the general of the armies in Venice, becomes a victim of Iago's pleasure to cause pain and damage. Iago seeks a position of honor in Othello's army, that of lieutenant. When Othello instead appoints a man named Cassio to take the position, Iago builds a hatred for Othello, a respected figure. Iago tells Roderigo of this loathing:

Three great ones of the city,

In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,

Off-capped to [Othello]; and, by the faith of man,

I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. (1.1.9-12)

Angry at being passed over for this position, Iago becomes motivated to satisfy himself and become lieutenant through cunning, well-crafted manipulations. Subsequently, he manages to find yet another reason to despise Othello. Iago, and others, suspect that he had an affair with Emilia, Iago's wife. Iago says to Roderigo: "I hate the Moor,/ And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets/ 'Has done my office" (1.3.429-431). Iago scemes to get even "wife for wife" (2.1.321). To seek revenge on Othello, Iago plans to use Othello's marriage to replace Cassio as lieutenant. One night, Iago successfully provokes Cassio into a brawl, where he is thereafter stripped of his position. With time, Iago causes disorder through dishonesty and lies again and convinces Othello that his wife, Desdemona, is unfaithful to him and is having an affair with Cassio. Othello, provided with false proof, vows to kill Desdemona. He appoints Iago to the lieutenancy and Iago has now achieved his goal. However, this does not stop him from continuing his villainous acts.

Having already obtained his interest, Iago no longer