Iago has multiple reasons to be angry with Othello. Iago has been denied the Lieutenancy by Othello, who gave the position, instead, to Cassio. Iago feels that he deserves the Lieutenancy, so he has devised a master plan.
The first piece of his puzzle is Desdemona. He has been hearing rumors that the Moor has been sleeping with his own wife, whom he does not even like. He still feels wronged, and will act upon these rumors as if they are fact. This leads him to decide that he will create the illusion that Desdemona has been unfaithful to Othello with Cassio.
When Othello won Desdemona over, and married her, she left her father’s side for Othello. Brabantio offers a seemingly insignificant warning to Othello, saying that “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee.”(pg.42.Act1.Scene3.line293) If Iago intends to create such an illusion as Desdemona leaving Othello; the seeds of doubt have already been sown.
This also causes a problem for Rodrigo, whom Iago has already convinced he will help get Desdemona. If Cassio and Desdemona appear together, this will cause tension between Rodrigo and Cassio, which would not have existed in the first place if not for Iago.
If his plans have any hope of succeeding, Cassio is certainly not hindering the plans, as he over-exaggerates the kissing of Desdemona’s hand. If he continues to act in such a way and the Moor discovers this, along with doubt planted by Brabantio and Iago, it will play right into Iago’s hand. Iago has proven himself as a two-faced liar, and a manipulative man. He does not like anyone in this novel, so far, and he only serves himself, yet he will keep up the appearance of being loyal to Othello.
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