The Horror! The Horror!

What is the nature of the evil that pervades the story of Othello? What is the central motivating factor for Iago? Is he aware of his own monstrosity? Why has Iago been characterized as THE most chilling and evil villain ever?

It's all fun and games until someone puts his eye out

At what point does the tragedy TURN in Othello? Where does a relatively innocent and domestic drama about jealousy, cuckoldry, and personal spite suddenly turn into something much more dire and dangerous? Who propels such a bloody ending? How? When?

The Devil is in the details

Many consider Shakespeare a secular writer who avoids overt religious themes and references. Do you agree this is also the case with Othello? Where in Othello do you spy religious symbolism, characterization, allusion, and theme?  Why does Shakespeare do this with this story?  What effect do these allusions have?