Othello's Jealousy Analysis

Iago has many reasons to be Jealous of Michael Cassio, he is described as the perfect soldier throughout the book, and not only is Iago furious that Cassio was promoted to lieutenant first, but Iago suspects him, as well as Othello, of having an affair with his wife,

Iago is jealous of Cassio because Cassio received the position of Othello’s Lieutenant, a position which Iago thought he should have won. This is shown throughout the play but an example of this Iago’s soliloquy at the end of Act I Scene 3. “Cassio’s a proper man…To get his place and to plume up my will in double knavery.”

Iago does not stop there, his jealously leads him to start infecting others and the first is Roderigo, a naïve gentleman in Venice. To put his scheme into motion, Iago informs Roderigo of Othello and Desdemona’s elopement, which causes Roderigo to become very upset because he too is in love with Desdemona and is willing to do anything to win her love. Iago plants the seed of jealousy in Roderigo’s mind because he knows he can now use Roderigo “for sport and profit” (I.iii.1180) by playing off his jealousy toward anyone who comes close to Desdemona. After breaking Roderigo down he then, builds him back up by telling him a way they can break up the marriage. Iago tells him:

Later on in the play, Iago lies to Roderigo when he tells him that Othello will be taking Desdemona with him to Mauritania. He suggests that if Roderigo ever wants to see Desdemona again he has to make sure that Othello extends his stay in Cyprus. To do so, he suggests that Cassio must be killed, “Why, by making him uncapable of Othello’s place—/ knocking out his brains.”(4.2.226-227). If Othello goes to Mauritania, Cassio will be assigned Othello’s place. By killing Cassio, Iago gets his revenge and Roderigo would have a chance to win over Desdemona. Roderigo’s character is used to portray the theme of manipulation. He is persuaded into doing Iago’s ill deeds. Iago is only after one thing, to be appointed lieutenant, and he will do whatever is necessary to reach his goal.

In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello, Iago demonstrates a mastery of manipulation over people who had previously trusted and confided in him. His sudden turn from Othello’s loyal ensign to rage-filled villain seems indicative of a man who can no longer accept his position in life. Iago’s plotting of Othello’s demise starts as idle talk of a disgruntled 28 year-old career military man passed over for promotion. Iago believes that such a promotion may never come after Othello rejects his candidacy and makes it clear that he did not believe him suitable. He sees Othello is only concerned with personal and political gain with his choice of Cassio as lieutenant. When Iago teams with love-scorned and desperate Roderigo, he begins

In act One, scene one we see Iago's conversation with Roderigo about Cassio being promoted ahead of him and how Iago believes that this is because of favourtism. This suggests one of many reasons why Iago plots against Othello. From this conversation we see that Iago is envious of Cassio being promoted ahead of him, and plotting against Othello as a means of seeeeking revenge. “I follow him to serve my turn upon him”. Iago believes that he

On the surface, it is evident that Iago is hurt by Othello’s decision to make Michael Cassio his lieutenant over him, but as this particular scene develops, it appears that Iago’s envy, jealousy, and hatred are motivated by other elements. “Sir, you’re robbed. For shame put on your gown! / Your heart is burst.

He has no regard for the other characters’ well being as his envy is so strong. Roderigo is another character that experiences envy. Roderigo wants to be with Desdemona, but Desdemona is married to Othello. Roderigo is willing to do anything that gives him a chance to be with Desdemona. Iago is able to convince Roderigo to sell all of his assets for money, instigate a fight with Cassio, and attempt to murder Cassio, because his envy is able to overpower his rational thought.

Roderigo is also a character who has to cope with both jealousy and betrayal through the play. He is a character who is full of jealousy towards Othello because he is in love with Desdemona, who as a known fact, is married to Othello. Roderigo is consumed by jealousy and even says "What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe, If he can carry it thus!" (1.1.66-67). As roderigo is full of jealousy that opens himself up to being betrayed as he approaches Iago for help.

Throughout Othello, the dramatic irony of “Honest” Iago is detrimental. Iago serves as Othello’s main attendant and is expected to get the promotion to lieutenant. Unexpectedly though, Othello gives the promotion of lieutenant to Michael Cassio. In all, this catalyzes Iago’s plot for revenge and destruction that will destroy every

In “Othello”, Iago is an important character to promote the development of plot, which plans a terrible conspiracy to revenge Othello, and leads him to a tragedy as a consequence. The reason why Iago does what he does, because of his ambition to Cassio’s position, his racism for Othello’s race and jealousy of his love. Initially, Iago attempts to become Othello’s lieutenant as a purpose, but Cassio gains this position to stir up his dissatisfaction with Othello. Form this line: “And what was him?/ Forsooth, a great arithmetician/ One Michael Cassio, a Florentine/ A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife/ That never set a squadron in the field/ Nor the division of a battle knows/ More than a spinster (1.1, 18-24).

Jealousy of power is first displayed through Iago, a solider under Othello’s command. ”One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, a fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife, that never set a squadron in the field”(Act 1, Scene 1). Iago is consumed by jealousy of Cassio, which he masks with hatred of Othello, because Othello took up Cassio as lieutenant and not Iago. In this same scene, we are also introduced to Roderigo, a wealthy Venetian, who is desperately in love with Desdemona, Othello’s wife. This scene is significant because it crafts Iago as the perfect villain. He plans on exploiting Othello’s insecurities in exchange for his own vengeful agenda.

Eventually Roderigo and Othello die having trust in Iago’s lies, however Iago’s lies do not bring about their downfalls, but rather the characters’ own weaknesses do, meaning that despite any outside influences, our own flaws are ultimately responsible for our own downfalls, but also that our weaknesses can be overcome through our acknowledgement of them. Roderigo is the only character to, despite Iago’s influence, challenge Iago, however his love and desperation for Desdemona cause him to give in and listen to Iago. After facing rejection from Desdemona multiple times, Roderigo finally wants to give up, threatening to kill Iago if Desdemona does not accept him. Iago channels Roderigo’s final act of desperation, turning his weakness back on

Iago is jealous of Cassio because Cassio acquired the position Iago wanted and decided to pit Othello against Cassio. He succeeds

A victim of the villainous Iago, Roderigo was jealous of Othello’s marriage with Desdemona and tried to break it up by hiring Iago. His jealousy is seen taking its toll on Roderigo after he reacts to the confession of Desdemona’s love for Othello in front of the Duke and Brabantio. After hearing this, Roderigo feels as though all hope is lost and expresses his despair to Iago saying,