Perhaps the reason why Iago is considered by some to be the best villain of all time is that he is not only purely evil, he is also smart. He is cunning, which allows his evil plans to follow through, so far without even a hiccup. A prime example of Iago's cleverness is in his convincing of Othello of Cassio's guilt in the situation with Desdemona. Othello wants concrete proof of Desdemona and Cassio's crimes, and Iago manages to lure Cassio into providing the proof himself. "Now will I question Cassio of Bianca, A huswife that by selling her desires Buys herself bread and clothes. It is a creature That dotes on Cassio, as ’tis the strumpet’s plague To beguile many and be beguiled by one. He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain From the excess of laughter. Here he comes. As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad. And his unbookish jealousy must construe Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and light behavior Quite in the wrong.—How do you now, lieutenant?" (II.i.83-93). Just as Iago plans, Othello is completely convinced and outraged to the point that he tells Iago to kill Cassio and makes plans himself to kills Desdemona. He is even further enraged by the fact that Cassio is laughing at his apparent affair with Desdemona, proving that he doesn't even love her. Othello's rage at this revelation shows his still-remaining love for his wife.
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