Doing Othello for an essay... I think this could be an explanation???
Iago is definately a twisted charactor but to say he is inherently evil is an overreaction in my opinion. 'For i do suspect the lusty moor has jumped into my seat.... nothing can, or shall content my soul till i am evened with him, wife for wife.' This suggests that, even though his final outcome was twisted and wrong, it began as an act of love which turned to jelousy.
What he did was definately wrong but i'm not so sure that we can say he was evil... He does admit in the first act to being envious and jelous of othello. There is no defense for his role in the downfall of the other charactors but nor can all the blame be placed on his sholders.
In way i almost feel sorry for him. He does seem so insecure!!!
:confused5: