Jealousy and Hate in Othello,

Jealousy and Hate in Othello, The Moor of Venice

William Shakespeare's Othello, the Moor of Venice is wrought with jealousy and betrayal, both of which motivate Iago to act out against his social and political superior, Othello. In Othello, the Moor of Venice, Iago uses anything and everything at his disposal and manipulates those which whom is close to and those in Othello's social circle and personal life in order to usurp Othello, who undeservedly becomes Iago's main target. Jealousy and hate play a significant role in the events that transpire in Othello, the Moor of Venice.

In Othello, the Moor of Venice, Othello is a great war hero who Iago has served throughout several military campaigns. When Iago believes he has been overlooked for a promotion, despite his service to Othello, he sets out to destroy Michael Cassio, who was appointed to the position of lieutenant over Iago, and what is more, sets out to destroy Othello's for no other reason that he hates his superior. Iago declares, "I hate the Moor," on several occasions throughout the play, which prompts him to destroy his commanding officer (Shakespeare 1.3.383; 1.3.366).

In his attempts to usurp Othello, Iago tries to create conflict between Othello and Brabantio, a Venetian Senator and Desdemona's father, by divulging the fact that Othello and Desdemona have been secretly married in one of the most crass ways possible. Not only does Iago insinuate that Othello has soiled Desdemona's social status by stating, "an old black ram/Is topping your white ewe," but goes as far as declaring "I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter/and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs," as though the information and betrayal of Othello would put him in Brabantio's good graces and will lead to punishment for Othello (1.1.88-89; 1.1.116-117). It is through this first attempt at ruining Othello's reputation that the reader can see that Iago will use anything at his disposal, including race, to win a military position. Iago attempts to use Othello's racial background against him, as can be seen through his reference of a "black ram," his frequent reference to Othello as simply, "the Moor," and his insinuation that Othello is nothing more than a beast.

Iago's dedication to the destruction of Othello, to whom he was loyal because it was simply his duty, allows him to successfully manipulate Othello through his sole weakness, his love for Desdemona. It is Othello's love for Desdemona that allows Iago to convince him that Desdemona has been unfaithful. Iago previously praised Othello as "constant, loving, noble nature,/and I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona/a most dear husband," characteristics he intends to exploit and put Othello "into a jealousy so strong/That judgment cannot cure" (2.1.290-292; 2.1.302-303). In "Othello, Hamlet, and Aristotelian Tragedy," Leon Golden writes, "praise from an enemy brings to our attention Othello's vulnerability to intellectual error, a vulnerability which derives from the very virtues which distinguish him (Golden 148). This intellectual error thus prevents Othello from thinking clearly about his wife after Iago has planted the idea that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. Furthermore, "The Fall of Othello," John Arthos notes, "Othello fell into chaos before the murder was done" (95). Othello's confusion is evident as he tells Iago, "I think my wife be honest and think she is not;/I think that thou art just and think thou art not (Shakespeare 3.3.385-386). Iago manipulates Othello into believing women cannot be trusted based on his own prejudices against them. Iago, in a conversation with his wife Emilia claims that women "are pictures out of doors,/Bells in your parlours, wild-cats in your kitchens,/Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,/Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds" (2.1.111-114).