The Manipulation Of Iago's Jealousy In Othello

In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice, Othello, a strong, powerful leader, is misled by a trusted foe, Iago, who incessantly plots for his fall from power. Although Iago schemes against Roderigo and Cassio in hopes to gain Othello’s favor after their fall, Iago’s main focus of disdain is Othello. Iago deceives all who trust him and calculates a plan to use that trust against them. Iago’s manipulation of Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello shows his jealousy, his evil nature, and his hatred. Iago’s jealousy is the motivation for his manipulating during his quest to seek revenge on the Moor who has wronged him. When Othello promotes Cassio to the position of lieutenant, Iago is livid. Iago explains to Roderigo that Cassio is undeserving of the position because he has not seen battle and that he was promoted because he was favored by the senators. Iago says: “Preferment goes by letter and affection,/ And not by old graduation” (1.1.36-37) and means that Othello should have awarded him with the elevated rank based on his seniority. Iago’s jealousy is also fueled by his unproven …show more content…
Freshly shunned by Othello’s decision and immediately upon his return to Venice, Iago creates family conflict for the Moor by using Roderigo to tell Brabantio of his beloved daughter’s elopement with Othello. He hopes that by creating the conflict with Brabantio, Othello will lose favor with the senate. While Othello pleads for his credibility to the senate, Iago is there convincing Othello that he is a trustworthy friend so that he can use this trust to benefit his plans to destroy the Moor. Iago says he will “abuse Othello’s ear” (1.3.375) and easily convince him that his wife is unfaithful because Othello “thinks men honest that but seems to be so” (1.2.380). Iago concocts a plan that costs Cassio, Roderigo, Desdemona, Othello, and even his own life because of his hate of