His lies and manipulative tales ultimately prove destructive to the other characters in the play. Iago appears to be without conscience, continuing to fabricate stories and initiate rumors. It is ironic in a story of deceit and jealousy the apparent preoccupation with courtesy that is displayed by Iago. Hunt claims the "soft- Venetian Renaissance values that sadistic impulse overwhelms in Othello are a more generalized effeteness, a super-refinement entailing pusillanimity (162).
Iago is cynical and obsessed with his own personal gain. His manipulative and spiteful behavior leads to the thirst for revenge, the betrayal of friendships, and the destruction of love. However, does Shakespeare intentionally populate his play with two main characters? According to Geoffrey, "Shakespeare runs the risk of confusing the allegiance of the audience because the character with the most lines in Othello is not Othello himself but instead Iago- (358). The hunger and quest for revenge, the result of jealousy, leads to the downfall of a number of Shakespearean characters in the play Othello. Iago is extremely manipulative and power oriented, yearning to be in control and exercise authority. Iago actually detests serving under Othello due to his background. Iago refers to Othello several times in the play as "black Othello-. This demonstrates the prejudices that existed over four hundred years ago. Controversy of the teaching of Othello in schools has escalated during the past decade. Many teachers claim that it quickly notes the racial fault lines in the class and in the United States. According to Singh, most Americans recognize "race" as a catchall term for the relationship between African Americans and those of European descent--a relationship that is inseparable from the origins of American national identity in a period that spawned both the concept of democratic rights and the institution of slavery (70).