Why Does Lago Hate Othello? One of the most popular tragedies ever written, Shakespeare’s Othello tells the story of a Moorish general who, driven by the machinations of his right-hand man, Iago, destroys both himself and those he loves the most. But what motivates Iago to commit such evil deeds?
In Shakespeare’s Othello, the character of Iago is notoriously evil. He is a master manipulator, using his wit and cunning to deceive those around him. But what motivates Iago to act in such ways? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Iago’s character and try to understand his motivations for hating Othello.
Iago’s Jealousy of Cassio
Iago is jealous of Cassio because he was given the position of the lieutenant which Iago felt should have been his. Iago is a skilled soldier who has served Othello faithfully, but he is not as well-educated as Cassio. Cassio is from a noble family and has a gift for languages. When Othello promotes Cassio ahead of Iago, Iago feels that he has been wronged.
This sets the stage for Iago’s revenge against Othello. Iago is a complex character, and his motives are not always clear. What we do know is that he is incredibly jealous of Othello. Iago feels that he is a better soldier than Othello and deserves to be promoted to the position of lieutenant. When Othello is given the promotion instead, Iago is consumed by jealousy and resentment.
Iago’s Belief that Othello Had an Affair with Emilia
Iago also believes that Othello has had an affair with his wife Emilia. This belief further fuels Iago’s desire for revenge. In one scene, Emilia finds a handkerchief belonging to Desdemona and gives it to her husband Iago. Later, when Desdemona drops the handkerchief, Iago uses it as evidence that she and Othello have been unfaithful. This leads to the tragic events of the play’s climax.
Iago also believes that Othello has had an affair with his wife, Emilia. This drives Iago to even greater levels of anger and hatred toward Othello. It’s possible that Iago’s anger stems from feelings of insecurity; he may feel that he is not good enough for Emilia or that she does not truly love him.
Whatever the reasons for Iago’s hate, there is no doubt that he is driven by envy and jealousy. He will stop at nothing to ruin Othello’s life, even if it means destroying himself in the process.
Iago’s Belief that Othello Slept with His Daughter Desdemona
Finally, Iago believes that Othello has slept with his daughter Desdemona. This accusation leads to even more tragedy. In a fit of rage, Othello kills Desdemona thinking she has been unfaithful. Only after her death does he realize that he was deceived by Iago and that Desdemona was innocent al
Iago’s Motives
While there is no one answer to this question, there are a few key factors that contribute to Iago’s hatred for Othello. First and foremost is Iago’s belief that he is a better leader than Othello. Iago is convinced that he should be the one in charge, and he can’t stand that Othello has been given the position that he feels rightfully belongs to him. In addition, Iago is deeply resentful of the fact that Othello has promoted Cassio ahead of him, further fuelling his desire to take revenge.
Iago is also motivated by jealousy. He is jealous of Cassio because he believes that Cassio is having an affair with his wife, Emilia. This leads him to believe that Othello is also cuckolding him, further fuelling his anger and resentment. Finally, Iago may simply be motivated by a desire to do evil for evil’s sake; he takes joy in causing pain and suffering and seems to derive satisfaction from watching others’ lives unravel.
Also, Read – Why does Romeo refuse to fight Tybalt?
Conclusion
Iago’s motivations are complex and multi-layered. While it is clear that he feels resentment towards Othello for a variety of reasons, it is less clear why he takes such delight in destroying him. Perhaps Iago enjoys causing pain, or maybe he feels that it is his duty to right the wrongs that he perceives Othello has committed against him. Whatever the case may be, Iago’s actions have tragic consequences for all involved.
His motivations are not always clear. However, it seems likely that his envy and jealousy are at the root of his hatred for Othello. Iago feels that he deserves more than he has been given in life, and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants—even if it means destroying others in the process.