What have we discovered in the story of Iago’s supposed “motiveless malignity”? Have we not found ourselves imagining the contours of someone who has decided to painfully twist themselves into unrecognizable shape? into the shape of something that does not bother looking human. A confusing shape, that is. I believe we have concluded that Iago was far from motiveless; in fact, he was all motive–perhaps not reasonable motive; perhaps not thoroughly comprehensible motive, but motive all the same. Even the insane have their motives. It all comes down to really knowing someone. Once you truly know someone-which, in theory, is impossible-you will understand exactly why they did what they did. Even we are not always aware of our own motives, but unawareness does not imply the non-existence of the object we cannot see. The issue is never, “Was there a motive?” It is always, “Can we possibly discern the motive?” In Iago’s case, no; we cannot truly understand why he did what he did. We can only guess, which is what we shall continue doing, into the deepest, and most profoundly exciting corners of the earth.