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One of the main driving points and major motive for Iago’s actions is his jealousy. Iago is constantly trying to bring the downfall of people because of the jealous within him. Iago is jealous of Othello because of his suspicion that Othello is sleeping with his wife Emelia. This is shown when he says”I hate the moor and it is thought abroad that twist my sheets has done my office. I know not if it be true but I for mere suspicion in that kind will do as if for surety”. This shows that his suspicion alone gives him reason for wanting revenge on Othello

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One of the main driving points and major motive for Iago’s actions is his jealousy. Iago is constantly trying to bring the downfall of people because of the jealous within him. Iago is jealous of Othello because of his suspicion that Othello is sleeping with his wife Emelia. This is shown when he says”I hate the moor and it is thought abroad that twist my sheets has done my office. I know not if it be true but I for mere suspicion in that kind will do as if for surety”. This shows that his suspicion alone gives him reason for wanting revenge on Othello

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Iago Body paragraph

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Although Iago has many motives and reasons that caused him to do what he did in the play, one of the main motives is jealousy. Iago

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Iago's jealousy is a key motive that results in a long string of cruel and evil deeds. Specifically, when Iago vents to Roderigo in Venice, he complains how he detests that Othello chose Cassio as his lieutenant instead of himself (Othello 1.1.13-30). With this, Iago's jealousy over such happening results with him wasting his efforts to go to far lengths to ruin the lives of many. Moreover, the magnitude of Iago's jealous intent was so great to the point of evil. For instance, when Othello discusses how best to end Desdemona's life, Iago suggests to strangle her instead of poison (Othello 4.1.206-210). Iago, unchanged in his jealous resolve, resorts to cruelty to save his wicked desires. Tactically, Iago should have let Othello poison Desdemona so he could have gotten away with it. However, the cruelty that his jealousy insues clouds Iago's thought process, causing him to become cruel and despicable. The jealous thoughts and intentions of Iago is thus a main motive for his cruel actions.

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Iago is motivated through jealousy to impose the downfall of Cassio. At first, Iago’s envy seems to only stem from one event. However, later in the play his jealousy is rooted in the fact that Cassio is given the role of lieutenant instead of Iago.

“'I have already chose my officer.'

And what was he?

Forsooth, a great arithmetician,

One Michael Cassio, a Florentine

(A fellow almost damned in a fair wife)

That never set a squadron in the field,

Nor the division of a battle knows

More than a spinster” (1.1. 14-21) .

By insulting Cassio within the first scene, Iago sets the tone for his relationship with Cassio. It is clear that Iago is envious of Cassio’s newfound power and believes that he should be the one to be promoted as he is more qualified than Cassio. It can be concluded that due to not receiving the power that he wants, he wishes to seek revenge on Cassio as well as Othello.

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Iago's true motives are revealed through his Machiavellian qualities and failure to determine his own reasoning. During Iago's soliloquys and dialogue his true motive remain hidden from the audience and even to himself to an extent as he is often unsure about the purpose of his many schemes; Thus, revealing that Iago is most possibly just evil for evil's sake.
"One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, (A fellow almost damned in a fair wife) That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows More than a spinster... Mere prattle without practice Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election..." 1.1 (17-24)  "For that I do suspect the lusty Moor Hath leaped into my seat; the thought whereof Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards; Till I am evened with him, wife for wife. Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor At least into a jealousy so strong That judgement cannot cure" 2.1 (295-302) Iago's uncertain nature demonstrates that he is unsuccessful in determining his own motives despite the fact that he continues with his schemes. Iago's behaviour proves that he really does not have a legitimate reason to continue evil.

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Iago’s rage and jealousy can be linked to his insecure thoughts of Othello sleeping with his wife, Emilia. This gives Iago the impression that Othello was carrying out his manly duties. This thought Iago has conjured up in his mind comes with no known proof, he completely imagines this. He states “And it is thought abroad, that twix’ my sheets. How done that office. I knew not if’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in what kind.” (Othello 1.3.329-433) Iago has no hard evidence that Othello is truly sleeping with Emilia, he only suspects it. Iago’s jealousy is now drawn out into plain sight. Once again, Iago has nothing but his own suspicions and thoughts to justify his idea. Iago now begins to demonstrate characteristics that coincide with the same characteristics as a Machiavellian character.

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A possible motive for Iago’s Actions in Othello is the fact that Othello chooses to elect Cassio as lieutenant over Iago. Iago is clearly frustrated by Othello’s choice to elect Cassio as he says “One Michael Cassio, a Florentine... that never set a squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows”. (1.1/15-20) Here, Iago says he is far more qualified then Cassio and has more experience then him. This gives him a reason to act out revenge on Othello for disrespecting him in this way. Although, Iago could just be using this situation as an excuse to conjure up his evil plans in which he wants to ruin Othello’s life.

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Jealousy, the source of Iago’s evil actions, can be a result of several events. Originally, Iago believes that he should be promoted to lieutenant by Othello, but is surprised by Othello’s decision to make Cassio his lieutenant instead. This sparks his jealousy of Cassio and plans to take it out on Othello. His jealousy soon turns to hatred. “One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, a fellow almost damned in a fair wife...” (1.1.17-18) “He, in good time, must his lieutenant be, and I - God bless the mark! - his Moorship’s ancient.” (1.1.28-30)

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Throughout the entire play we can see many of the possible reasons and motives for why Iago did what he did. Iago

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A major motive for Iago’s evilness is the insecurity he feels of his wife’s supposed infidelity and his jealousy of Cassio. Although, Iago has no reason to believe Emilia is being unfaithful, this thought pesters him endlessly, causing him to seek revenge.

“I hate the Moor’:

And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets

'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. 377-381)

Iago thinks that Othello is sleeping with his wife and this angers him further because he is already mad that a Moor holds higher a higher office than him. He likely comes to this conclusion since he is looking for another reason to validate his thirst for revenge. Thus, as a result of his insecurities,  as well as his status, he decides to bring Othello down.

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He likely comes to this conclusion since he is looking for another reason to validate his thirst for revenge. Thus, as a result of his insecurities,  as well as his status, he decides to bring Othello down. 