In William Shakespeare's Othello, Iago plays the trusted villain responsible for the deaths of Desdemona, Othello, and even his wife Emilia. He is motivated mostly by his pure evil nature. Throughout the course of the play, Iago manages to commit all seven deadly sins. He constantly uses his good reputation for dishonorable purposes. His talent for manipulating those around him makes him a powerful character.
             Iago plans to remove Cassio from the position of lieutenant so that he can take over as Othello's close friend and lieutenant. Iago hopes to convince Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. If his plan works, he will have the revenge that he believes he deserves. "... Iago was always at war, making every encounter, every moment, into an act of destruction." (Bloom, 4).
             Iago explains that the reason he hates Othello is that he believes he slept with Emilia and Cassio was chosen to be Othello's lieutenant. However, Iago's revenge does not match his given motives. Samuel Taylor Coleridge describes his motives best in saying "the motive-hunting of a motiveless malignity."(Snyder, 10). Iago's only reason for destroying Othello is that Iago is an inherently bad person.
             Iago uses Roderigo's weakness to help him remove Cassio from position as lieutenant. Iago tells Roderigo to "put money in thy purse" (Act I, Scene III, 360). Iago convinces Roderigo that Othello and Desdemona will not be together for a long and urges him to earn money now so that he will be an eligible bachelor when Desdemona is looking for another husband. Iago explains in the soliloquy that follows that he would never associate with someone like Roderigo except to benefit him. "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse; For I mine own gained knowledge should profance; If I would time expend with such a snipe; But for my sport and profit." (Act I, Scene III, 362-383).
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