Why Does Iago Do The Things He Does?

Throughout Act 1, we realize that Iago wants revenge, to be powerful and recognized by society, and loves to manipulate others. Iago wants to get back at Othello for choosing Cassio as his lieutenant. He is irritated by the fact that Othello did not trust him enough to name him lieutenant. Iago

In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello, Iago demonstrates a mastery of manipulation over people who had previously trusted and confided in him. His sudden turn from Othello’s loyal ensign to rage-filled villain seems indicative of a man who can no longer accept his position in life. Iago’s plotting of Othello’s demise starts as idle talk of a disgruntled 28 year-old career military man passed over for promotion. Iago believes that such a promotion may never come after Othello rejects his candidacy and makes it clear that he did not believe him suitable. He sees Othello is only concerned with personal and political gain with his choice of Cassio as lieutenant. When Iago teams with love-scorned and desperate Roderigo, he begins

From the beginning of the play, Iago is left in displeasure since he was incapable of achieving his endeavour to wind up as a lieutenant and his physical appearance, both in which Cassio has a critical contribution. In any case, what makes Iago desirous to a great degree is the way that Othello elevates

Othello’s lieutenant, Cassio is a young and inexperienced soldier (we are told this in the beginning of the play when Cassio is first spoken of), whose high position is much resented by Iago. Truly devoted to Othello, Cassio is extremely ashamed after being implicated in a drunken brawl on Cyprus and losing his place as lieutenant. Iago uses Cassio’s youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemona to play on Othello’s insecurities about Desdemona’s fidelity.

Iago is not the same when he is with Othello but Iago’s character totally changes when he is not with Othello. When Iago finds out that Othello appointed Cassio as his lieutenant, Iago is extremely envious and he plots a plan against Othello by deceiving the trust that they both carry. “I’ll put this pestilence into his ear.” (II.iii.334). This refers to Iago plotting to say his lies to Othello which demonstrates Iago being overwhelmed by jealousy. Iago puts all the falsehood into the general’s ear which becomes easier for him to do as Othello puts his full trust on the rival. Iago is a harsh and a coldblooded man that wants revenge through his master by plotting an atrocious plan and putting all falsehood into his ear just to obtain the higher position.

The source of why Iago created corruption and disturbed the peace in Othello life has many reason. But as the villain, Iago has two main reasons he hates Othello because he is jealous and hates him. Iago's reasons for why he hates Othello is because he believes that Othello made love to his wife. “I hate the Moor And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets He has done my office: I know not if't be true;But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,Will do as if for surety.” (1.3.55 line 431-433) Another reason why Iago is mad is because Cassio was chosen to be Lieutenant instead of himself. “One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife-That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of

Over the course of the play, Iago offers numerous reasons for him desiring revenge. The first motive is the loss of a promotion to Cassio. “’Tis the curse of service: preferment goes by letter and affection, And not by old gradation,” (I.i.33-35). Iago feels that Cassio was chosen over him because he is more likable instead of earning it like Iago felt he had. Bloom describes this anger in terms of religion. “His religion is war, and his god is Othello, and so his fury when Cassio is preferred to him is the fury of the priest or worshipper who has been found unworthy,” (Bloom). Iago feels that Othello must make amends for his rejection. The next reason he gives is the supposed infidelity of his wife. Iago says “And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets H’as done my office.” (I.iii.378-379).

In act One, scene one we see Iago's conversation with Roderigo about Cassio being promoted ahead of him and how Iago believes that this is because of favourtism. This suggests one of many reasons why Iago plots against Othello. From this conversation we see that Iago is envious of Cassio being promoted ahead of him, and plotting against Othello as a means of seeeeking revenge. “I follow him to serve my turn upon him”. Iago believes that he

But why does Iago despise Othello so much? The answer is in the text, both explicitly and implicitly. When Roderigo mentions Othello in the opening scene, Iago states that he is angered by the appointment of Othello as general, and the appointment of Cassio as his officer. He states that “by the faith of man…I am worth no worse of a price” suggesting that he believes he should have been honored with a similar military position (1.1.10-11). He goes on then to suggest that Cassio is not a fit officer, as he is “a great arithmetician…a Florentine…that never set a squadron in the field”—in short, Cassio is too theoretical and inexperienced to be of any use as an officer (1.1.18-21). In addition to his jealousy of Othello’s power, Iago must also be jealous of Othello’s wife Desdemona. While waking up her father Brabanzio to warn him of his daughter’s so-called treachery in marrying and

Iago's hatred for Othello could come from the fact that he was overlooked for promotion, he also mentions his suspicion on Othello having an affair with his wife Amila, but this suspicion is never confirmed to be true or

In the article “Othello: The Moor of Venice” critics describe him as being so evil by nature. Critics describe Iago that way because he is known for deceitful to gain a higher position and willing to do anything if necessary. He just can’t accept the fact that other people are better than him. So that’s why he’s going to steer Othello wrong because he didn’t give him a higher position in the army.

As the villain in Shakespeare's play Othello, Iago has two main actions. They are to plot and to deceive. Iago wishes to plot and to deceive because he is jealous of Othello and hates him. Iago's reasons for why he hates Othello is because he believes that Othello made love to his wife, and Iago is mad that Cassio was chosen to be Lieutenant instead of himself. From this hate comes the main conflict of the play.

Iago’s intentions lie within his goal to replace Cassio as lieutenant as he complicates many relationships to the extreme, without showing his good qualities and proving himself to Othello as a strong and hard worker. Iago is more complex than what meets the eye, but he’s devious and manipulative towards the people around him; he contains a static personality and will not change because he is who he was meant to be causing mayhem.

One of the first pieces of evidence we receive of Iago's motives for his hatred for Othello is when he tells Roderigo that Emilia (Iago's wife) may have committed adultery with Othello. (1.3.330). Although it is nothing more than a ridiculous rumor, Iago immediately believes it to be true, and starts to plan his revenge. Once jealousy strikes, he loses all common sense, and doesn't even confront his wife about it.

The most obviously and ignorance answer of Iago’s motive in Othello is to seek revenge on Othello and Cassio, because Othello has overlooked Iago for the promotion, and promotes Cassio, a Florentine man with no military experience, to lieutenant. If that is the case, the play should end when Othello promotes Iago to Lieutenant at the end of Act III iii which what Iago wants. But, as a minor suggestion and clue of the plot where Iago plants the seeds of jealously, doubt and suspicion to all the characters, Iago, along with the development of the storyline, unfolds his real motivation-hate where he turns the feeling of jealous, hate and eventually into hate with passion.