Many critics have debated over the question of whether Othello's Iago had any real motives or if his actions were all without purpose. One such critic, Samuel Taylor Coleridge aptly describes Othello's Iago as being a villain of "motive-less Malignity". In other words, Iago's only reason for destroying the lives of the characters in the play is that he is an evil person. He plots and schemes in order to meet his own selfish ends. On the surface it may seem that Iago has many reasons to do what he does. For example, he is angry that Cassio was promoted to lieutenant over him and he suspects both Cassio and Othello have slept with Iago's wife, Emilia. While any of these may have the possibility of being Iago's true motive, through his actions and thoughts, it is obvious that these reasons are only to justify his actions and they serve as a disguise to mask his insecurities, racism and innate distrust of women.
Iago's first alleged motive that begins him on his path of evil scheming and planning destruction, is his resentment over the fact that Othello promoted Cassio to the position of lieutenant instead of Iago. He felt that he had more experience in battle than Cassio, so this move was a major slap in the face. Feeling wronged and indignant over the fact that someone who was less qualified was chosen over him, he begins to plot against Othello. Although, at this point he has not clearly formulated his plan yet, he takes a stab at Othello's happiness by informing Desdemona's father that she has run off with Othello and that "an old black ram/Is tupping your white ewe" (I.i.97-98). He attempts to use racism to make people fear and hate Othello like he does. But this does not turn out as Iago has expected and Othello is allowed to stay married to Desdemona. Having not even put a dent in Othello's life or happiness, Iago is spurred on to develop a more elaborate plan. .
Iago's next plan is to plant seeds of doubt concerning the relationship between Desdemona and Cassio in Othello's head.
