Othello By William Shakespeare

Iago’s Motives
IGCSE Literature Coursework

It is said that Iago is the most evil character Shakespeare ever introduced onto the stage. As J.H. Walter’s introduction discusses, ,his motives have often been argued over. Some people believe that he is driven by pure malignancy and all his actions are accordingly bad. For them, there is no need to look too deeply into Iago’s character for the reasons for his malicious destruction of Othello and Desdemona: he is simply very bad. However as discussed below, Although although he is always seeking to harm others and despises goodnessis resistant to therapy, the text suggests that he has some real human motivesis definitely not motiveless.

On the surface Iago seems to have several motives,common vices. Hhe himself confesses that envy and jealousy are his motives for hatred and revenge. Iago is a man possessed by the “green eyed monster that doth mock you He is jealous of Othello’s wealth and success, who although being a ...