Off-capp'd to him" (CITE). However, due to Iago's deceptive nature, most likely it was Iago was trying to influence the outcome. Therefore, it bothers him that despite of his hard work, all his hopes are destroyed: "I know my price, I am worth no worse a place" (CITE). Iago is an egotistical man and his self-esteem is hurt.
Iago's own reason for his hatred of Othello is due to being passed over for a promotion, but Iago may have hated Othello even before that: Iago despises the fact that he is beneath a Moor. In Iago's bigoted mind, he considers his superior, Othello, as being of an inferior race. His bigotry can be felt in one of his conversations with Roderigo: "And I -- God bless the mark! -- his Moorship's ancient" (CITE). Iago uses the word "Moorship" to make fun of both Othello's character and his African ethnicity. Furthermore, Iago detests his own pretending to be a faithful follower of Othello: "It is as sure as you are Roderigo, / Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago. In following him, I follow but myself;" (CITE). Clearly this is an irrational prejudice from a bigoted mind.
It can be said that greed is one of Iago's main motives. This is evident in one of their meetings that Roderigo pleads to Iago: "Iago, who hast had my purse/As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this." (CITE) Roderigo, who is in love with Othello's wife, Desdemona, has been paying Iago money to help him win over Desdemona's heart. Iago mentions money on many occasions, and in one of these occasions, he explicitly asks to be paid: "put money in thy purse" (CITE). However, Iago's bigotry provides the real reason why he is willing the help Doderigo: Iago does not think Othello has the right to marry the innocent and very white Desdemona. This is apparent when Iago shouts to her father, Barbantio: "Even now, now, very now, an old black ram .
Is tupping your white ewe" (CITE), and he continues: "you'll have your nephews neigh to you; you'll have coursers for cousins, and jennets for germans" (CITE).
