Othello #5

Iago is very angry at the beginning of the play because Cassio was made lieutenant and he was not. He was jealous of Cassio; therefore, he plotted his revenge. In act II, Iago plans to get Cassio drunk so he will be discharged as Othello's lieutenant. Iago's jealousy overcame him and he could not accept the fact that he was not Othello's lieutenant and that someone younger was chosen. Another theme in this play is that hatred is often based on preconceived notions. Iago does not know much about Othello's character. Iago hates Othello because it was "thought abroad" that Othello slept with his wife, Emilia ( I.iii.367). This only fueled his hatred for Othello after he was not chosen to be lieutenant. He constantly refers to Othello as 'the Moor' which dehumanizes him.