In Shakespeare's source for the play, a short story by Italian author Cinthio, Iago is downright evil and diabolical, intent on destroying the five-act tragedy Othello, Othello, by William Shakespeare, written - published in a quarto edition of a transcription of an author's manuscript. In William Shakespeare's Othello, the villain of the play is a character named Iago. Iago cleverly manipulates everyone he can in order to get revenge on Othello for passing him off as a soldier. Iago is indeed a wicked character. He destroys a happy couple. Through his own greed, he is offended when he does not get the position of lieutenant. Hate fills Iago's heart. Unlike many of Shakespeare's plays, we know this with some certainty because there is a written record of the performance. It took place on November 1 of the same year and the role of Othello was played by William Burbage. John Henderson 1747-1785, as Iago in Othello, by William. Gilbert Stuart, The handkerchief plays a major role in the play. This is probably the most crucial piece of evidence to prove Iago's claim that Desdemona and Cassio, Othello's lieutenant, are having an affair. To understand.