Why is Iago intent on ruining Othello?
Well lots of people he’s just driven by hate and evil because he always works in the dark and is extremely sneaky and manipulative. He also has a lot of sexual insecurity; he thinks that Othello is sleeping with Emelia and then starts becoming paranoid of Cassio doing it as well. Most people agree that this can’t really be a motive but more like an excuse trying to self-justify himself. He could also be jealous of Desdemona but that doesn’t really make much sense because Iago isn’t a loving character, he also admits that what he feels for Desdemona is probably just lust. He could also be doing this to achieve status and satisfy his ego. He was mad that Cassio got the promotion over him. He also mentions that he wants to ruin Othello but while being thanked by Othello, showing that he wants that power that he doesn’t really get in his everyday life. Shakespeare doesn’t make his intention crystal clear but I think it’s because at the end of the day Iago is an opportunist, he loves to see
