Earlier on in the play Iago gives his first motive, his hatred for Othello because he was not assigned a job, which was then given to some one of less experience, Michael Cassio.
It is in the first soliloquy that Igao gives the audience his second motive for his action, he states clear that he “hates the moor” and his following reason as an after thought of why he might hate him. He refers to some unknown rumour that Othello has been, “’twixt my sheets” and, “done my office”. He then shows us that he has a great power for thinking on his feet by creating a plan from Cassio’s performance with Desdemona that he just witnessed. It could be said that these soliloquies are a way of informing and summarising the story to come so as to create an air of suspense in the audience.
The second soliloquy gives the audience a chance to see a small percent of Iago’s character as suddenly the rumour in the first soliloquy has become a definite suspicion and he offers his third motive, his love Desdemona. This love apparently appears from no where but it fuels Iago on to say that he will have revenge on Othello, “wife for wife” and then states the prophetic, “At least into jealousy so strong, that judgement cannot cure”. Again Iago uses the soliloquy to tell the audience his plans, however by doing this we also realise notice Iago’s quick nature to think on his feet and manipulate situations, and this gives us a small insight into his character. This is shown again when Iago then states that he believes Cassio too has slept with Emilia. This could be Iago’s way of justifying his actions against cassio.
At the end of this soliloquy Iago says, “make the moor thank me, love me, and reward me," which possibly gives away more of his character than he had planned to. Through this one line we are given the impression that it is possible Iago is looking for acknowledgement from Othello.
In the Third soliloquy Iago continues with his plan. Having just spoken to Cassio and given him advice he questions the audience, “what’s he then that says I play the villain”.
He then goes on to explain how the advice he just gave was given, “free and honest” which shows some irony that he uses the word honest. A word to which is often referred to him.
Through the soliloquies the audiences perception of Iago grows as we realise that this man is villainous and evil yet intelligent and, in his mind, with cause for being so. He tells us 3 of his motives for his actions, yet we see each piece of fiction materialise in his mind. The use of soliloquies in Othello, for Iago’s character, work as a way of communicating his idea’s and thoughts as well as a few and limited aspects of his character.