In William Shakespeare's Othello Iago is a confidant to the moor general Othello. Iago is not given a promotion he desires; Iago is wracked with envy and schemes to steal the rank he feels he justly deserves. Iago kills, lies, and steals to earn that position. Iago plots the destruction of Cassio using Roderigo's idiocy and Othello's trusting nature. Not only is Iago the Antagonist but he acts as a catalyst for the play. Iago is responsible for the only comic relief in the play.
             Iago's scheme is a multi-faceted web of deceit. Iago's first move is to use Roderigo's feelings for Desdemona to his benefit; Roderigo is very foolish and very rich. Iago takes advantage of both these traits. "Tush, never tell me! I take it much unkindly That Thou, Iago, who hast had my purse As if the strings were thine, should'st know of this"(1,1,1). Iago embezzles the money Roderigo gives him to help him wed Desdemona. Iago convinces Roderigo to fight Cassio, the soldier who received the promotion Iago desires. After a drunken bar fight Othello demotes Cassio. Desdemona nobly appealed to her husband, in an attempt to have Cassio's rank re-instituted. Ever observant Iago came up with another idea: convince Othello Desdemona was attracted to Cassio. Iago convinced Cassio that a meeting could be arranged with him and Desdemona; and she might be able to use her influence to have Cassio's rank restored. When the meeting took place, Iago showed Othello Cassio and his wife talking. This created the first seeds of doubt in Othello's mind. Iago persistently planted these seeds of doubt in Othello's mind. "I speak not yet of proof. Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure: I would not have your free and noble nature, out of self-bounty, be abused"(3,3,199). Iago's plan to convince Othello of Desdemona's affair is s...