Iago, from Shakespeare's Othello, is one of the most memorable villains in all of literature. His commitment to evil and his impressive intellect of human nature make him a deadly adversary. There are three aspects to Iago's evil nature, which are the following: his motives, his methods, and his connection to Satan. The play is centered around Iago's detestation for Othello.
Iago's hatred for Othello begins with the fact that Othello passed over Iago in favor as Cassio for his lieutenant. At the beginning of the play, Roderigo says to Iago, "Tush! Never tell me; I take it much unkindly That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this" (1.1.1-3). When he says "this," he is referring to the elopement of Desdemona and Othello. When Iago says that the elopement was a surprise, Roderigo replies, "Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate" (1.1.7). After Roderigo says this, Iago tells Roderigo that he was passed over for the lieutenant position. We can infer from this that Iago had told Roderigo of his hatred for Othello before this conversation. Iago not only despises Othello, but resents Cassio for stealing his covenant position. He tries to stir up chaos in both Othello's and Cassio's life. After Othello left for Cyprus, Iago has a soliloquy. He states that he hates Othello and says, "And it is thought abroad, that 'tIawixt my sheets He has done my office" (1.3.387-388). Iago's "office" between his sheets is to have intercourse with his wife. Iago is hinting that everyone thinks Othello and Emilia, Iago's wife, are sleeping together. The rest of the play proves that this is not true, Emilia and Othello don't seem the least bit interested in one another. Throughout the play, Iago uses violent animal imagery to describe sex, portraying his sexual insecurity. Iago is also motivated by his homosexual feelings toward his master, Othello.
