Evil Genius

Out of all the characters Shakespeare has created I find Iago to be of the evilest nature. His cunning and sly deceptions depicted throughout this play create a web of lies capturing everyone within range. The fact that Iago feels all this justified, stemming from the promotion of Michael Cassio over himself, shows us just how revengeful this man is. The skill of manipulation he practices over everyone though shows just how intelligent Iago was. From the very beginning with his conversation with Roderigo we find the hold he can have: "That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this." 1.1 2-3. Rodrigo is just one of his many puppets; the mention of his purse in the first lines I think is worth noting, for we find out right from the beginning how much influence Iago has. In 1.3 we encounter a suicidal Rodrigo, losing hope of any chance with Desdemona, but Iago keeps telling him to "put money in thy purse"330-357, continuing to move his pawns as he sees fit.
Not only does Iago have the power to manipulate who he sees fit, he has the timing down perfectly; working his way closer and closer to Othello until all the pieces are in place for his plan to fully take form. The newly appointed lieutenant is next on his list. Encountering him on watch one night, he entices him to throw back a few drinks and before long Cassio starts a quarrel and loses his rank and reputation in the eyes of the Moor. At the end of 2.3 we see him already looking steps ahead: "Two things are to be done: My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress; I'll set her on; Myself awhile to draw the Moor apart and bring him jump when he may Cassio find soliciting his wife. Ay, thats the way! Dull not device by coldness and delay." 383-388. The fact that he can prey upon the good nature and trust put onto him from others, whom consider him a friend, without feeling any remorse, but pleasure, gives us the mindset of the villain.
The fly that Iago is trying to catch in spinning this web though is Othello. Now that he has caused the rift between Cassio and Othello, who are close friends, he strikes. Announcing his love for the Moor and declaring how bound he truly is to him, Iago slowly brings "the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on." 3.3 166-167. Planting this bug and letting it hatch its way into Othello's thoughts perfectly sets up for when Desdemona comes about asking for Cassio's return to rank. Having the nerve also to get down and kneel while swearing oath to Othello's service no matter "what bloody business ever" 466, shows us an Iago with apparently no conscience or regard for anyone but his own. As he declares at the end of Act 1, "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse; For mine own gained knowledge should profane if I would time expend with such snipe but for my sport and profit."374-377, we see that, for Iago, ruining the lives of the ones around him is a mere game and the fact that he seems to do it so easily is unsettling.