Who is the villain in Shakespeare's 'Othello'

In Shakepeare's Othello, the boundaries between the antagonist and protagonist are blurred, meaning that there is no definite villain or tragic hero. Iago is often seen as the typical villain as he displays machiavellian qualities such as cunning wit and callousness. He uses Othello's insecurities and naivety in order to manipulate him, bringing about Othello's fall from grace along with the demise of other characters. Throughout the play Iago preys on the weaknesses of others and is likened to an unstoppable, brutish force of nature. Another contender for the role of 'villain', is the eponymous Othello. Although Othello appears to be a mere pawn in Iago's grand scheme, it is his readiness to respond to these lies that suggest he has always had the capability and potentional for such violence. Iago simply nurtured the villain that was always within him. 

Whilst villains are often identified as characters, the villain in Shakespeare's Othello can lend itself to abscract concepts such as society. The role of Elizabethan society is important when deciding the villain and can be seen as the ultimate factor in making the play a tragedy. It's ingrained casual racism and misogyny is what fuels the hatred of Iago and feeds the deep insecurties of Othello. The allusion to darkness equating to evil and whiteness equating to purity subtly prevails throughout the play. This then nurtures the self-doubt and unworthiness in Othello's mind which allows him to be manipulated by Iago. It is also the patricarchal society that excuses Desdemona's passivity. She is unable to defend herself, cementing the tragedy in Othello.