In his seventeenth century play, Othello, William Shakespeare is successful in defining the true meaning behind his classical tragedy by portraying how one character's motives can inflict another's weaknesses in order to form a moralistic calamity. Throughout his play, Shakespeare reveals that Othello has several more faults and weaknesses than a man of his prominence should possess, inevitably leading to his downfall. The tragedy's main protagonist, the deceitful Iago, has his own incentives for his actions which, initially, appear to be without motive and instinctively wicked. It is through Othello's individual weaknesses and Iago's motives that Shakespeare's play becomes a true tragedy.
By examining Iago's behavior and his schemes, the reader is able to recognize that Iago inevitably has motives for his actions however weak they may be. Although Iago recognizes that indeed the moor "is of free and open nature" (Act 1 Scene 3 Ln. 381), he still does despise Othello. In order for the reader to discover his objectives, Iago has to be scrutinized even further. From the very beginning, Shakespeare allows Iago's first motive to unveil: Cassio's appointment as Othello's lieutenant. Iago believes that he truly deserves the promotion to lieutenant as he says, "I know my price, I am worth no worse a place" (Act 1 Scene 1 Ln. 12). Iago is a man with a tremendous ego who knows, but sometimes overestimates, his worth. Throughout the play, Roderigo understands Iago when Iago says that he is "affined to love the Moor" (Act 1 Scene 1 Ln. 41-42). However, Iago really means is "I follow him to serve my term upon him" (Act 1 Scene 1 Ln. 45). From this point, the reader can see that Iago only wants to use Othello for his own benefit. Iago's professional standing, along with his self-esteem, has just been torn apart. Therefore, it is only certain that the wicked Iago will take revenge on Othello.
Iago's main rationale is his lust for power.
