Why Is Iago Jealous of Othello and Cassio: Explained

When my students ask me why is Iago jealous of Othello and Cassio, I get straight to the point. Iago is jealous of both men, Cassio and Othello, because they represent everything he believes has been unfairly denied to him: power, status, and recognition. His jealousy grows out of professional resentment, wounded pride, and a deep moral emptiness. Othello stands above him as a trusted leader, commanding authority, and social prestige, while Cassio rises past him through promotion, youth, polish, and favour. 

As I often remind my class, this is not emotional jealousy that bursts out in anger. It is cold, calculated, and ideological- an envy that plans, waits, and destroys rather than explodes.

At the heart of the play, Iago is jealous of two men for different reasons, but with the same consuming bitterness. He envies Othello’s authority and the trust he commands, and he resents Cassio for receiving the promotion he believes he deserved- “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.” 

In class, this line always stops us. It captures how Iago’s jealousy works on two levels: institutionally, it is rooted in rank, promotion, and hierarchy; psychologically, it is driven by envy, resentment, and a desire for control. Later, we’ll see how this dual structure (institutional + psychological) fuels Iago’s manipulation.

However, this article explores those two targets in order- Othello first, then Cassio– to show how Iago’s strategic jealousy becomes the engine of the tragedy.

Why is Iago Jealous of Othello and Cassio? A Personal Anecdote

Let me share a glimpse of my life. I once had a colleague. He always reminded me of Iago. Let’s call him “Mikel.” Mikel was a smart and ambitious guy. And he always had a plan. 

But unfortunately, he was also the kind of person who’d smile to your face but sharpen a knife behind your back. Trust me, he is exactly the man I am narrating. He is a replica of Iago. 

One day, out of the blue, our principal declared a new project lead role. However, somehow Mikel was certain that the role was only for him, as he had been working for the longest time in the teaching profession. 

But when he found out that the role had gone to Robert, a newcomer joining the college known for excellent teamwork and a man of fresh ideas, Mikel’s smile faded away, and his face turned cold.

At first, Mikel’s jealousy was little and subtle. Whenever he sat in meetings, he’d make sarcastic comments like, “Oh, Robert’s ideas are truly innovative.”

But there was a tone in his comments that made it clear he meant the opposite. Soon after, rumors spread about how Mikel felt Robert didn’t deserve the role, calling him “lucky.”

Does it sound familiar? Right? 

Yes, that’s because Mikel was mastering the art of manipulation. He wasn’t just jealous. He was determined to make Robert fail, even if it meant dragging the whole team down with him.

Finally, like Iago, Mikel’s jealousy backfired. His constant negativity made him unpopular in the college, and Robert’s success only grew. 

And interestingly, watching it all unfold felt like watching or enjoying a real version of Othello on the stage, but without the tragic ending, thankfully.

Notice how here jealousy isn’t just emotional. It becomes calculating and destructive. That’s exactly how Iago uses it.

Understanding Iago’s Jealousy in Othello: It’s Complicated

Jealousy is born when someone struggles with their insecurity, resentment, and obsession. It’s not just about desiring something that belongs to someone else. Sometimes, it arises from a feeling of personal injustice, social undermining, and deep-seated fear of one’s own existence. 

In the case of Iago, his jealousy is a toxic cocktail of fear of personal insecurity, professional bitterness, and a maddeningly strong desire for dominance. But here is a question: why are Othello and Cassio the targets of his wrath? Let’s break it down in detail.

Note: This connects to our earlier point about institutional (career-based) vs psychological (ego-based) jealousy.

Why Is Iago Jealous of Othello or Hates Othello?

Iago is jealous of Othello because everything he craves- rank, respect, love, a beautiful woman- comes to Othello with unsettling ease. Passed over for promotion, insecure, and suspicious of an affair between Othello and Emilia, his jealousy curdles into hate. In class, I tell students this isn’t ambition alone. It’s wounded pride watching another man thrive effortlessly.

i) Othello’s Power and Prestige:

You know Othello is a Moor in Venice. But, fortunately, though he is an outsider, he could climb the ranks and become a respected general. Despite his racial and cultural background, his military prowess and leadership earned him admiration and respect. 

In contrast, Iago feels frustrated because he thinks he deserves the promotion. He can’t accept that Othello, an outsider, holds so much power and respect.

As he bitterly complains: “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.” (Act 1, Scene 1)

Iago believes he deserves more than his current position. He sees himself as the man who only deserves the promotion, not Cassio. He also believes Othello, an outsider, holds the general position, but it should be his. 

And he believes everyone knows it, except, most apparently, Othello. So, here it’s clear that Iago is deeply jealous of Othello’s fame, power, and honor. 

Here, I believe Iago’s jealousy in Othello is deeply rooted in a strong sense of personal injustice. He can’t accept why Othello, an outsider, holds such an honorable position. His obsession grows and gradually feeds his deep-seated insecurity and bitterness.

It let him believe that his hard work and ambition were not properly rewarded as they should have been. Iago feels he is denied in the case of power, respect, and position, things he believes he rightly deserves. 

As discussed earlier, this blends institutional jealousy (rank + power) with psychological resentment (ego + insecurity).

ii) Professional Resentment:

Iago is not jealous of Othello from the sidelines. He is jealous from within the system. He serves Othello daily, salutes him, and takes orders from him. In class, I describe this as “front-row resentment.” 

Iago believes loyalty and experience should guarantee advancement. Instead, he is passed over when Cassio is promoted to lieutenant. As he bitterly admits, “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place,” and that wounded pride refuses to stay quiet.

iii) Suspicion of Infidelity:

Iago’s jealousy takes a darker turn and reaches a new level when he begins to believe that Othello has been involved with his wife, Emilia. Though there is no proof to him, he is convinced, or at least he pretends to believe, that Othello has betrayed him.

“It is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets/He has done my office.” (Act 1, Scene 3)

Here, Iago thinks Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia, and he is not okay with that.

Whether it’s true or not, it doesn’t matter. Iago’s jealousy poisons his mind and fertilizes the personal layer of his hatred. He is determined that he is ready to burn everything down. 

Yes, to him, it’s no longer confined to Othello’s power, fame, and even his marriage to Desdemona. Now, Iago thinks Othello is a man who has destroyed his home and honor, everything. 

But here’s what makes Iago so dangerous. Why doesn’t he need proof?  

It’s nothing but jealousy and paranoia that fuel his anger. The minimum possibility is enough to justify his revenge. So, he crafts a plot to destroy Othello, no matter the cost. 

iv) Envy of Success & Status:

Othello’s success isn’t just military. It’s social. He commands respect without scrambling for it. Iago, meanwhile, keeps score. Who is praised? Who is trusted? Who is admired? 

Each answer sharpens his envy and hatred. Success becomes something to resent, not celebrate.

v) Insecurity & Inadequacy:

Here’s the uncomfortable truth I share with my students: Iago’s jealousy exposes his fear. Othello’s rise forces him to confront the possibility that his own worth is smaller than he claims. That thought is unbearable. Jealousy becomes a shield, protecting him from self-doubt by redirecting blame outward.

vi) Othello’s Marriage to Desdemona:

It’s not surprising that Iago is also jealous of Othello’s personal life. Yes, Othello has won the love of Desdemona, a beautiful 18-year-old girl who was born into a noble family. So, she is always out of Iago’s reach. 

On the other hand, Iago, who always feels insecure in his own relationship with Emilia, hates Othello. He feels that Othello, who is always inferior in his eyes, has owned something so valuable. 

It seems to him that his rival always wins the prize while he is left with nothing but disappointment. And it fuels his hatred and leads him to bring Othello down, not only professionally but also personally. 

This connects to the personal dimension of jealousy we saw earlier in the anecdote- jealousy that invades identity and relationships.

Quotes Showing Iago’s Jealousy of Othello: 

Here I’m about to take you straight into the scheming brain of Iago, Shakespeare’s ultimate frenemy. The man has got issues, and at the top of the list? It’s Othello. Now, let’s focus on a few of Iago’s evil Quotes that aren’t just meant. They’re dripping with jealousy, ego, and just the right amount of villainous flair to make your skin crawl. Let’s take a look.

Quote 1: “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.” (Act 1, Scene 1)

Iago’s bitterness over being passed over for promotion reveals his professional jealousy.

Here, Iago declares that he knows his value and that he deserves the promotion to lieutenant. He believes he is highly skilled, experienced, and fully capable of the lieutenant post. However, he is overlooked in favor of Cassio. 

His words make it clear that he finds the decision a personal insult. So, he is not just disappointed; he is completely outraged. He believes his talents are ignored and undervalued. So, this sense of injustice fuels his bitterness and sets the stage for Othello’s downfall.

Quote 2: “It is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets/He has done my office.” (Act 1, Scene 3)

Iago’s suspicion that Othello slept with his wife, Emilia, replaces the proof here. Vague phrasing shows obsession feeding itself. Iago’s jealousy invents a possibility, then reacts to it for the plot of making Othello doubt Desdemona’s fidelity and destroying his life. 

The passive voice distances Iago from responsibility while allowing imagined betrayal to dominate thought and motive without evidence, restraint, verification, empathy, logic, balance, control, and maturity. 

Quote 3: “I do suspect the lusty Moor.” Othello, Act 2, Scene 1

Here, repetition of the verb “suspect” in Iago’s words reveals compulsion rather than evidence. Sexualized language twists authority into threat. Jealousy stains perception, not facts. 

Each return to suspicion tightens obsession, showing how imagined intimacy corrodes judgment and fuels calculated cruelty through language steeped in envy and paranoia.

Quote 4: “For mere suspicion in that kind…” Act 1, Scene 3 

This line admits everything. Suspicion alone authorizes action. Jealousy in Iago no longer reacts. Now, it commands. Psychological vacancy replaces conscience, allowing harm without proof. 

Language becomes permission, not warning, completing Iago’s psychological transformation into deliberate, controlled, remorseless, self-justified, tactical, moral-free manipulation, cruelty, dominance, power, obsession, and destruction.

Quote 5: “I hate the Moor.” (Act 1, Scene 3)

The blunt declaration of Iago shocks because it offers no explanation. Reason has collapsed into certainty. Jealousy, long disguised as grievance, has hardened into fixation, detached from logic or proportion. The tone matters here: short, absolute, and final. Language no longer persuades; it condemns.

Iago’s choice of “the Moor” rather than Othello’s name sharpens this hatred further. The phrase strips Othello of individuality and reduces him to an identity Iago resents and fears. Racism does not create Iago’s hatred, but it gives that hatred a vocabulary- one that allows envy and wounded pride to masquerade as moral outrage.

What remains is emotional emptiness. Grievance no longer seeks justification. It simply exists. The line reveals a man who has abandoned empathy, nuance, restraint, and conscience. In this moment, hatred is not reactive but ideological. Iago no longer argues with the world. He declares war on it.

Why Is Iago Jealous of Cassio or Hates Cassio?

As discussed earlier, Iago’s jealousy isn’t driven by love or romance. It’s fueled by status, recognition, and wounded pride.

Yes, Iago’s hatred for Othello is powerful, but his jealousy toward Cassio exists on another level. It burns hotter and cuts deeper. Cassio is young, charming, and effortlessly well-liked. What truly unsettles Iago is this: Cassio secures the promotion to lieutenant- a position Iago believes should have been his by right. And from that moment on, Cassio becomes more than a rival. He becomes the perfect target. Here’s why Cassio stands at the center of Iago’s destructive jealousy:

i) Cassio’s Rank and Favoritism:

Yes, very first, Cassio’s promotion to lieutenant is the fact that ignites Iago’s fury to the fullest. Iago gets furious as he firmly believes that he is the only man who deserves the post.  

And, honestly, Iago takes it very personally. Above all, he believes he was doing the job for a long period, took many risks, and fought many battles. Yet, Othello promoted Cassio, whom Iago sees as a man of no action. So, Iago mocks Cassio: 

“Mere prattle without practice/Is all his soldiership.” (Act 1, Scene 1)

Iago believes Cassio is a man of all talk and no action. Yet, why does he get the job?

It’s like your coworker who spends most of the time chatting or gossiping rather than working for the company. But he gets a promotion over you. 

So, Iago isn’t just annoyed and frustrated, He gets outraged. He feels he is overlooked, denied, undervalued, and honestly, he is betrayed. Cassio’s promotion was a humiliating slap in his face, with severe injustice. 

ii) Cassio’s Natural Charisma:

We know Cassio is very well-liked and always smiling with all in any situation. He is incredibly likable to everyone. On the other hand, Iago is a guy who always likes to twist words, and to get what he wants, he deceives people. 

But, in the case of Cassio, he doesn’t even have to try a little to win. Women like him a lot and love to enjoy his company. But this annoys Iago. He takes it as an injustice to him. He thinks, why should Cassio be admired by all, while he is overlooked, though he is better than Cassio in all respects? 

Now, to Iago, it’s not just Cassio’s promotion. It’s about his respect and recognition. So, Iago decides the better option for him is pure destruction. He will burn everything. 

iii) Cassio’s Relationship with Desdemona:

Cassio’s promotion and popularity made Iago mad. But his friendship with Desdemona made Iago’s blood boil. It’s like sitting on the bench for the big game while your rival effortlessly scores the winning goal. 

Iago takes it as an opportunity. He knows Othello’s greatest weak point, his insecurity about Desdemona’s loyalty and faithfulness.   

So, what should Iago do here? 

He begins to whisper in Othello’s ear and plants the idea that Cassio and Desdemona are more than just friends. And remember, Iago’s whispers are like poison, it’s toxic, slowly and gradually seeping into Othello’s mind, turning his love into suspicion and finally destruction. 

But, does Iago actually believe this? 

Probably not. He’s just using their friendship as an excuse to stir up trouble all around. After all, while Iago seethes in the shadows, why should Cassio remain spotless? 

By spreading these lies, Iago not only ruins Cassio’s name and fame but also destroys Othello’s trust in Desdemona, his wife. It’s a double victory for Iago. 

He never cares who is destroyed or hurt in his way of dealing. To him, revenge is the only thing that matters. But what Iago never realizes is that revenge is a double-edged sword. While taking revenge, he’s not just dragging down Cassio and Othello. He is ensuring his own downfall, too.  

It’s like setting fire to a house and forgetting you’re still inside. Revenge doesn’t discriminate. It will burn everything in its path. This is the nature of revenge. 

Why is Cassio Iago’s Perfect Target? 

You should know Cassio is everything Iago isn’t. He is youthful, charismatic, and fast-rising. He gets the promotion, the fame, the praise, and even the admiration of a beautiful girl. 

On the other hand, Iago is stuck plotting in the shadows and burning with envy.

So, it’s no wonder that Cassio gets under Iago’s skin. Cassio is a walking reminder (24/7) of everything Iago desires but will never have. And in Iago’s galaxy, if he fails to have it, no one can get it. 

Quotes Showing Iago’s Jealousy of Cassio: 

Yes, jealousy is an ugly monster, and the crafty Iago? He is truly its mascot and mastermind. His envy and hatred of Cassio aren’t just professional. It’s very deep, personal, and in short, absolutely ugly. Let’s break it down…

Quote 1: “Mere prattle without practice/Is all his soldiership.” (Act 1, Scene 1)

Iago is furious as Othello favours Cassio. So, he gets bitter, and he takes a cheap and ugly shot at Cassio. Iago declares Casio as “all talk and no action.” Basically, Iago means that Cassio is a man who just reads about battlefield strategies but never fought on the battlefield. Cassio is a theorist playing a soldier. 

Here, imagine you have been working hard for your company, spending hour after hour for the well-being of your company, and handling all the tough jobs. But suddenly, discover that your new colleague, who is still learning the ropes, gets favoured over you. 

How will you feel? 

Frustrating? Angry? Betrayed?

Right? 

That’s exactly what Iago feels then. Cassio, who is more charismatic than those with battlefield experience, wins the promotion. While Iago, who thinks of himself as a real soldier, is ignored. That’s Iago’s frustration in short. 

Expert Harold Bloom believes that Iago’s hatred isn’t just for the promotion, it’s about power and status. Cassio owns everything Iago hates- grace, confidence, charisma, and ultimate success. 

In today’s world, Iago is the overlooked loyal and senior employee, only to notice a fresh graduate climb the corporate ladder. 

Thus, we see Iago’s frustration grow stronger, and instead of moving on, he chooses the path of revenge. And we all know, revenge is a slippery slope. Iago is more than willing to slide down, dragging everything else down with him.

Quote 2: “He hath a daily beauty in his life/That makes me ugly.” (Act 5, Scene 1)

Here, Iago is straightforward. He admits that Cassio’s charm and popularity make him feel inferior. So, we can say this is not just jealousy. It’s an identity crisis.  

However, have you ever met someone who is like Cassio? They are good-looking, handsome, and popular. Everything comes to them easily. While you are wondering why you are struggling with a lot of issues and social anxiety, instead. 

That’s Iago.

Cassio is naturally born charismatic. And Iago hates him for it. He finds Cassio’s beauty is a consistent pain for him. Yes, it’s not about Cassio’s look, it’s more than that. 

It’s about his maddening popularity. He effortlessly wins people. Meanwhile, Iago needs to manipulate the scheme, plot, and lie to get just a little bit of Cassio. 

What’s the irony?

Iago firmly believes that Cassio’s beauty and charm make him look ugly. But let’s be honest, Iago doesn’t need Cassio’s help to look bad. Iago is a born villain. His own actions, lies, and betrayals are enough to perfectly define him as the ugly villain. 

Quote 3: “For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too.” (Act 2, Scene 1)

Here, Iago goes mad. He takes his ugly jealousy to the next level. He is afraid that Cassio might be sharing his wife, Emilia’s, bed. Even though there is no proof in his hand, no problem, his mind is tormented with wild suspicions. 

This is insecurity 101. He is not just worried about Cassio’s success. He is now sure that Cassio is stealing away everything that Iago belongs to, even his personal life. It’s like that mad friend assumes his wife is cheating on him just because someone smiles at his partner. 

Now, what’s the real problem?

Iago is both plotting and projecting. He spends so much time on this project. He assumes that all around him are doing the same. 

Now, I believe if Iago could focus less on manipulation and more on therapy, he might understand his own insecurities.

Quote 4: “Preferment goes by letter and affection.” Act 1, Scene 1

Iago reframes disappointment as corruption. The dismissive tone implies conspiracy rather than evidence. By blaming favouritism, he protects his ego from scrutiny. Jealousy appears rational, even ethical, while bitterness quietly redirects responsibility away from personal limitation or failure and wounded ambition beneath polite reasoning surfaces.

Quote 5: “One Michael Cassio, a Florentine…” Act 1, Scene 1 

The listing feels obsessive. Iago fixates on background and theory to diminish experience. Naming becomes a strategy of reduction. Jealousy sharpens language into classification, as though labeling Cassio might erase the insult of being overlooked and undervalued within the military hierarchy he serves faithfully, yet unrewarded.

Quote 6: “A great arithmetician.” Act 1, Scene 1

Sarcasm replaces argument here. Iago mocks Cassio’s intellect to defend bruised pride. The sneer exposes insecurity, not strength. Jealousy turns contemptuous, minimizing competence so his own stalled advancement feels justified rather than painfully undeserved within rigid military systems that reward favor over patience, service, loyalty, time, merit, and consistency.

These Iago jealousy quotes about Cassio show how language quietly builds the tragedy long before the plot explodes.

What Truly Motivates Iago in Othello?

Iago’s motivations in Othello reach far past simple jealousy. Jealousy may spark movement, but ambition fuels it, manipulation sustains it, and lack of empathy makes it dangerous.

Here’s the moment I slow down in class and ask my students: Is jealousy enough to explain Iago?

It’s a fair question, and Shakespeare wants us to sit with it.

Yes, Iago is passed over for promotion. Yes, his pride takes a hit. But bruised ego alone doesn’t explain the surgical precision of his cruelty. Plenty of people feel jealous; very few construct psychological collapse as if it were a hobby.

At this point, the room usually splits. Some students argue that hatred drives him. Others lean toward the idea that he lacks empathy entirely and treats people like game pieces. I acknowledge both views, then steer us back to the text. Iago doesn’t merely react. He designs. He plans, revises, adapts. That level of control suggests ambition paired with something colder: pleasure.

Listen to how he talks. “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.”

That line always lands hard. He enjoys manipulation not just as a tactic, but as a reward. The success of his schemes feeds him because, psychologically, there’s a hollow space where guilt or affection might live for others.

So, when we study Iago’s motivations, jealousy matters, but it isn’t the core. It acts as a manipulative device, a convenient story he tells himself and others. The deeper engine is ambition, dominance, and the unsettling satisfaction he takes in control.

How Iago Uses Jealousy to Destroy Others

In class, I tell students that Iago doesn’t spread jealousy randomly. He engineers it carefully, like a strategist moving pieces. Each action builds pressure until trust fractures, friendships fall, and destruction looks inevitable, not sudden.

i) How Does Iago Manipulate Cassio?

When I ask how Iago manipulates Cassio, I walk students through the steps. 

• First, he flatters Cassio’s courtesy. 
• Then he engineers drunken chaos. 
• Finally, he lets his reputation collapse. 

Jealousy becomes bait, patience the trap. Iago never pushes directly. He arranges circumstances so that Cassio ruins himself while believing chance, not design, caused the fall. 

In exams, I remind them that manipulation works best when victims supply the final step themselves. That illusion of control seals the tragedy before anyone notices too.

ii) How Does Iago Manipulate Othello?

When I explain how Iago manipulates Othello, I lower my voice. Iago never accuses. He suggests. He weaponises trust by sounding loyal. Jealousy enters through hints, pauses, and questions. Step by step, Othello supplies conclusions for himself. I tell my students this is psychological warfare: 

• First suspicion planted
• Then evidence is delayed like the handkerchief, whose very absence becomes “proof.”
• And finally, imagination is forced to do the damage

By the time truth appears, emotion has already written the verdict. That is why the fall feels inevitable, even to thoughtful readers watching helplessly unfold slowly.

And Desdemona pays the highest price. Her honesty becomes her weakness in a world where lies move faster than truth. Watching her die is watching innocence lose an unfair race.

iii) How Does Iago Manipulate Roderigo?

Students often ask how Iago manipulates Rodrigo, and I smile. In the case of Roderigo, Iago feeds jealousy with false hope. Rodrigo pays, waits, and obeys. While Iago promises love, delivers delay. 

Step by step, money replaces reason. Trust becomes a leash, and jealousy keeps Rodrigo pulling it willingly. I tell my class that exploitation works best when desire blinds judgment completely and feels voluntary until ruin arrives.

Now, notice something important. At this point in the play, jealousy isn’t Iago’s motive- we’ve already unpacked that. It’s his instrument, the tool he uses to move others into destruction.

The Psychology of Iago’s Jealousy: Why He’s the Ultimate Villain 

When we analyze Iago’s jealousy, it’s tempting to just stamp him as a sociopath, yet Shakespeare never hands us a diagnosis. What he gives us instead is far more disturbing: a character who displays sociopathic traits without the need for a medical label. Here’s what makes Iago so unsettling:

i) The Man with No Empathy:

Iago doesn’t experience jealousy the way Othello does. Othello’s jealousy is emotional. Iago’s jealousy is instrumental. He doesn’t feel the pain of envy. He enjoys the results. Watching others unravel is not collateral damage for him. It’s entertainment. 

While Othello cries, doubts, and spirals, Iago observes, adapts, and smiles. He is the kind of man who spreads a rumor not because he believes it, but because he wants to see what it destroys.

ii) Toxic Masculinity on Steroids:

Psychologically, Iago operates with an extreme model of masculinity: dominance, aggression, and control. Cassio’s courtesy feels fake to him, and Othello’s openness feels weak. Neither fits Iago’s worldview, where real power comes from secrecy, manipulation, and ambition. Kindness is a flaw. Vulnerability is an invitation. And empathy? That doesn’t even make his list.

What we end up seeing is a form of jealousy that doesn’t reflect moral insecurity, but ego maintenance. Iago uses jealousy to reinforce his internal hierarchy of power and control.

All of this reinforces what we saw earlier: jealousy isn’t Iago’s root motive. It’s a convenient emotional disguise- something he puts on when it serves him, then discards without regret.

Debates and Perspectives: Is Iago Really Jealous?

Is Iago driven by jealousy, hatred, or something far colder? This question has kept critics arguing for centuries, and I always tell my students that the disagreement itself is the clue. Shakespeare doesn’t give us a single motive. He gives us a psychological puzzle. Let’s look at how major critics approach it.

i) Jealousy, Power, and Pure Malice (Bradley + Bloom)

A.C. Bradley is quick to shut down the idea that Iago is simply a jealous man. Yes, Cassio’s promotion wounds him. Yes, his pride takes a hit. But Bradley insists that jealousy is not the engine of Iago’s villainy. It’s a by-product. What truly drives him is power, control, and a deep-rooted appetite for destruction.

Bradley’s point is famously blunt: “Iago’s jealousy is not the cause of his evil but a symptom of his deeper malice.”

In other words, jealousy is the wrapping paper, not the gift. It makes Iago look petty, but it doesn’t explain the scale or precision of his cruelty.

Harold Bloom pushes this idea even further. In Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human, Bloom refuses to call Iago merely jealous at all. Instead, he describes him as “envy incarnate, a force of pure malevolence.” Iago doesn’t suffer from jealousy. He administers it. If jealousy were a disease, Iago wouldn’t be the patient. He’d be the carrier.

This is why Iago doesn’t spiral emotionally like Othello. While Othello doubts, aches, and collapses, Iago watches, adjusts, and enjoys the outcome. The manipulation itself is the reward. He doesn’t destroy because he’s hurt. He destroys because he can.

Together, Bradley and Bloom paint Iago not as a man undone by envy, but as one animated by dominance and control. Jealousy may appear in his language, but pleasure appears in his actions.

ii) Motiveless Malignity vs. Insecurity (Coleridge + Emma Smith)

Coleridge famously labels Iago’s behaviour as “motiveless malignity.” To him, Iago is chaos without cause– a destructive force that doesn’t need a reason. Evil, in this reading, exists simply because it can.

Modern critic Emma Smith complicates that idea. In The Cambridge Introduction to Shakespeare, she argues that Iago’s jealousy does have roots, but they lie in insecurity rather than passion. Cassio’s charm and Othello’s success constantly remind Iago of what he is not. His thinking circles around a corrosive question: Why not me?

Where Coleridge sees a villain without motive, Smith sees one with an inferiority complex large enough to become dangerous. The difference matters. One interpretation presents Iago as an abstract embodiment of evil. The other presents him as frighteningly human.

iii) Racial and Social Dimensions of Jealousy (Ania Loomba)

Ania Loomba widens the lens further. In Shakespeare, Race, and Colonialism, she argues that Iago’s jealousy cannot be separated from race and power. Othello is not only a respected general. He is a Black man who has risen within a white Venetian society. That success unsettles Iago profoundly.

From this perspective, Iago’s envy isn’t just professional or personal. It’s racial and political. Othello’s marriage to Desdemona disrupts social hierarchies, and Iago responds by trying to restore them through manipulation.

This view is reinforced by Catherine Ann Rosario’s doctoral thesis, Black Rams and Extravagant Strangers, which explores how racial and gender anxieties intensify the tragedy. Othello’s position as a Black man married to a white Venetian woman heightens suspicion, fear, and resentment- fertile ground for Iago’s schemes.

Why These Views Matter

Taken together, these perspectives reinforce a crucial idea we’ve returned to again and again: jealousy is not Iago’s root motive. It is a convenient moral disguise– something he wears when it serves him, then discards when it doesn’t. Beneath it lies ambition, insecurity, racial anxiety, and, most disturbingly, pleasure in control.

That complexity is exactly why Iago remains Shakespeare’s most unsettling villain. He isn’t driven by one feeling. He’s driven by the freedom to destroy without consequence- until, finally, there is one.

Othello’s Jealousy vs. Iago’s Jealousy: A Tale of Two Green-Eyed Monsters

Jealousy in Othello is like a virus. Once it infects, it takes all over, and no one is safe.  Both Iago and Othello fall victim to this dangerous emotion, the green-eyed monster, but they handle it in very different ways. One struggles beneath its weight, while the other exploits it as a poisonous weapon. Let’s break it down………

Othello’s Jealousy: The Tragic Romantic

Othello’s jealousy is so poisonous that it turns a sweet love story into a heartbreaking tragedy. While watching it unfold, you need to take a box of tissues and cry into a bag of chips. It’s psychological, passionate, and super dramatic. Here is why: 

i) Rooted in Love:

Othello’s jealousy is rooted in his deep love for Desdemona. When Iago plants the seed that Desdemona is having an illicit affair with Cassio, Othello’s entire world gets shattered. It’s like discovering your favorite TV celebrity couple breaking up, except this time, you know, it’s all too real because it’s his actual wife.

ii) Emotional and Painful:

You know, in the case of Othello, he doesn’t just get jealous; he is completely ruined by it. He is a confident and respected general. But after getting infected by Iago’s cunning plot, he is drawn into a paranoid mess. 

He can’t sleep, can’t eat, and can’t stop imagining the darkest thoughts. Yes, it’s like watching a Shakespearean drama unfolding with dramatic monologues and an inevitable, tragic ending.

iii) Driven by Insecurity:

Yes, Othello is torn by his insecurities, which fuel his jealousy. In a predominantly white society, as a black man, Othello always feels like an outsider. 

So, when Iago plants the idea that Desdemona might prefer Cassio, a white man, younger and more polished, Othello is twisted by the worst fears. It’s like impostor syndrome on steroids. 

iv) Tragic Consequences:

Othello’s jealousy gradually leads him to his downfall. He irrelevantly kills Desdemona. And he realizes too late that she is innocent all along. Being guilty, he takes his own life. 

This is the essence of Shakespearean tragedy: avoidable, heartbreaking, and utterly devastating.

Iago’s Jealousy: The Cold, Calculating Villain

On the other hand, Iago’s jealousy is the kind that makes you terrified and want to lock your doors and hide under your bed. It’s calculating, cold, and terrific. Here’s why:

i) Rooted in Resentment:

Iago’s jealousy isn’t about love. It’s about power and revenge. He is furious that Othello promoted Cassio instead of him. He is also convinced that Othello slept with his wife, Emilia (with no proof). 

It’s like you are fed up with your boos and suspicious of your neighbor at the same time, but with a lot of plotting and destruction.    

ii) Manipulative and Ruthless:

Iago doesn’t allow his jealousy to consume him, which Othello does. Rather, he uses it to destroy others. He skillfully manipulates all around him. Iago manipulates Othello by planting seeds of doubt and turning his love for Desdemona into an atomic bomb. 

He also tricks Cassio into drinking too much and manipulates Desdemona by encouraging her to advocate for Cassio. He also deceives Emilia by using her to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief and manipulates Roderigo by exploiting his love for Desdemona. It’s like he is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.

iii) Driven by Insecurity (But in a Different Way):

Iago’s jealousy is also rooted in his insecurity. But it’s more about his fragile ego than his identity. He can’t tolerate that Cassio is more attractive, younger, and effortlessly admired. But instead of self-improvement or self-realization, Iago leads his insecurity into destruction. 

iv) Destructive Consequences:

Iago’s jealousy doesn’t just ruin his own life. It ruins everyone else’s, too, as a wildfire in its path. His classic villainy turns Othello into a murderer, orchestrates the death of Desdemona, ruins Cassio’s career, leads Emilia to her tragic end, and ultimately brings his own tragic end. 

And at the end of the drama, Iago has left a trail of destruction for all. It conveys a message that he is not just a villain; he is a catastrophe.

Comparison Table: Othello’s Jealousy vs. Iago’s Jealousy 

Who’s the Real Monster?

After Iago’s jealousy analysis, we can say Othello’s jealousy is more relatable (who doesn’t feel insecure in a relationship?). But Iago’s jealousy is truly monstrous. Othello’s jealousy is like wildfire, destructive but fueled by something truly evil. 

On the other hand, Iago’s jealousy is like a nuclear bomb. He is cold and calculating. And above all, he is born and designed to cause maximum damage.

And in the end, we discover that both types of jealousy lead to tragedy, but in very different ways. Othello’s jealousy makes him a tragic hero, while Iago’s jealousy makes him one of literature’s greatest villains, the villain of the villains. And folks, that’s the power of the green-eyed monster.

FAQs: 

Conclusion:

When I wrap up this lesson, I tell my students that why is Iago jealous of Othello and Cassio is not a question with a simple emotional answer. It’s a deliberate one. Iago’s jealousy in Othello isn’t a flare of envy. It’s a blueprint. Othello represents the earned authority Iago believes he deserves, while Cassio embodies the promotion Iago feels was stolen from him. 

Standing at the board, I call Iago the architect of the tragedy. He doesn’t swing the hammer, but he designs the collapse. His jealousy is ideological, rooted in wounded pride and unchecked ambition, and it spreads like invisible ink until the page is ruined. 

Shakespeare’s warning is clear: ambition without conscience is not drive. It’s destruction. Remember this for exams- Iago doesn’t fall because he is jealous. Others fall because he is precise.