Motivation for Iago in "Othello"

Travis Hiland

Actions for reply by Travis Hiland

February 15 at 12:05 AM

No doubt fame and fortune are motivators for Iago, but do you feel his mania? There is a volcanic fire undergirding his deceit that wells up from a much deeper place than desires for position and power alone. This is personal.

He is filled with a toxic disgust of Othello and is consumed by the same black poison he uses to destroy him. Iago is bent on destroying Othello's world, and that destruction seems to be his primary object.

There is evidence that Iago's hatred for Othello began long before he was passed over for promotion. Iago reveals, at the end of Act 1, Scene 3, what may be the real reason for wanting to destroy Othello:

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.

In other words, “everyone” knows that Othello was having an affair (“has done my office” “'twixt my sheets”) with Iago's wife, Emilia. But it doesn't matter to Iago if this gossip is untrue, he's going to destroy Othello as if it was true.

And again, at the end of Act II, Scene 1, Iago let's us into his head and reveals his dark heart:

I do suspect the lusty Moor
Hath leap'd into my seat: the thought whereof
Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards;
And nothing can or shall content my soul
Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife.

(This is the same mental torture with which Iago is about to poison Othello).

Ok, so Iago's own raving jealousy may be a truer motivation for his evil, but I can't help but think there is an even deeper-rooted source to his hatred. It seems apparent that Iago is an inflamed racist. In public, Iago refers to Othello by his race (“the Moor”), rather than his titles of respect, “Lord”, “General,” and so forth. But when he isn't around, Iago calls Othello an “old black ram,” an “erring barbarian,” Barbary horse,” a black “devil.” He says that Desdemona is “unnatural” and “rank” (a festering rot) for being with a Moor.

But Iago's vow to end Desdemona (“Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife “) as revenge for being made a cuckold brings us back around to the old “green-eyed monster” as a motivator.

Abbe Michele Hoggan

Actions for reply by Abbe Michele Hoggan

February 14 at 8:29 PM

The world Iago and Othello live in is highly stratified. The difference between the ranks of lieutenant and ancient is life or death to Iago. It seems Iago has been spending money in anticipation of his promotion. In Act 1, scene i, Roderigo says Iago “hast had [Roderigo’s] purse/As if the strings were” Iago’s own. And he’s been scheming and pulling in favors to get the job. He describes the “three great ones of the city” who spoke on his behalf. When Othello ignores them and promotes Cassio instead, Iago finds himself “belee’d and calmed/By debitor and creditor.” So a desire for money and status and the power that goes with them drives Iago’s actions.