In William Shakespeare's play "Othello," the character of Iago is commonly considered the villain. He is a manipulative and deceitful individual who plots against the play's protagonist, Othello, and causes destruction and chaos throughout the story.
Iago's motivations for his actions are complex and somewhat unclear, but they stem from a deep-seated anger and jealousy towards Othello. He is envious of Othello's success and position, and he also harbors a grudge against Cassio, a fellow officer who was chosen over him for a promotion. Iago takes advantage of Othello's trusting nature and uses his own skills of manipulation to convince Othello that his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with Cassio.
Through his cunning lies and deceit, Iago is able to turn Othello against his own wife and trusted friend, causing Othello to spiral into a fit of jealousy and rage. Iago's actions lead to the deaths of multiple characters, including Desdemona and Cassio, and ultimately result in Othello taking his own life.
Iago's villainy lies not only in the destruction he causes, but also in his complete lack of remorse for his actions. He revels in the chaos he creates and shows no pity for the lives he destroys. He is a master manipulator who uses others for his own gain and shows no regard for the consequences of his actions.
In conclusion, Iago is the villain in "Othello" due to his malicious manipulation, jealousy, and lack of empathy. His actions cause great harm to the other characters and lead to a tragedy of epic proportions.