Why does Iago hate Othello and Cassio?

Is tupping your white ewe"

(Act 1, Scene 1, line 85-86)

Roderigo and Iago succeed in bringing it to Brabantio's attention and they decide to set out to destroy the marriage. However Iago does not join them. This is because Iago still wants to pretend his loyalty towards Othello: -

"Farewell, for I must leave you.

It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place,

To be produced - as, if I stay, I shall -

Against the Moor."

(Act 1, Scene 1, Line 142-145)

Even though Iago shows loyalty to Othello he still plots against him: -

"I follow him to serve my turn upon him."

(Act 1, Scene 1, Line 40)

Shakespeare continues to sow the seeds of hate and jealousy with in Iago. Iago also has heard rumours that Othello has been sleeping with Emilia, Iago's wife, and this also contributes to his anger regarding Othello: -

"I hate the Moor,

And it is thought abroad that t'wixt my sheets

H'as done my office."

(Act 1, Scene 3, Line 381-383)

Language is Iago's greatest weapon and Iago enjoys using it to manipulate people. Sometimes it does not even benefit him. The repetition of the spitting 's' and 'st' sounds all contribute to Iago's bitterness.

Almost everyone is part of Iago's conspiracy. Iago is using Roderigo for money and it also fits into his hate for Othello. There are times when Roderigo does suspect that Iago may be taking advantage of him: -

"Thus do I ever make my fool my purse"

(Act 1, Scene 3, Line 378)

Othello has no idea what is going on between Iago, Roderigo and Cassio; this shows the use of Shakespeare's Dramatic Irony in the play. This is shown in such scenes like when Cassio is trying to persuade Desdemona to get him back to Second-in-command. Othello still trusts Iago and this brought about several times in the play when Othello says: -

"Honest Iago"

This shows Othello's trust in him; he is also trusted amongst many other characters and is also spoken highly of.

Iago's hatred of Cassio is also revealed in this scene - Michael Cassio, a Florentine, has also got caught up in Iago's plot. This is because Othello had promoted Cassio to lieutenant over Iago, even though Cassio hasn't been in battle, ever! Cassio was only chosen since he was an arithmetician and may be useful in battle plans. This is the main motive for Iago's hatred, jealousy and spite to Cassio: -

"One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,

(A fellow almost damned in a fair wife)

That never set a squadron in the field,"

(Act 1, Scene 1, Line 17-19)

All these quotes show Iago as an evil, counter-plotting character.

Shakespeare's language effectively passes on the message that the actors are trying to get across and makes the play more exciting and makes the audience tense. This type of blank verse is called iambic pentametre. It is used well within in speeches of all sizes and makes them more dramatic.

TIMIR KEMP