The play is set in motion when Othello, a heroic black general in the service of Venice, appoints Cassio and not Iago as his chief lieutenant. Jealous of Othello's success and envious of Cassio, Iago
plots Othello's downfall
by falsely implicating Othello's wife, Desdemona, and Cassio in a love affair.
What is Othello based on?
Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on
the Italian short story ‘Un Capitano Moro' (‘A Moorish Captain') by Cinthio
, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565.
What is the main storyline of Othello?
Iago is
furious about being overlooked for promotion and plots to take revenge against his General
; Othello, the Moor of Venice. Iago manipulates Othello into believing his wife Desdemona is unfaithful, stirring Othello's jealousy. Othello allows jealousy to consume him, murders Desdemona, and then kills himself.
Why is Iago jealous of Othello?
Iago felt that Othello was not suitable to be in charge and wanted it for himself. Iago was so jealous that
he didn't care who died as long as he got what he wanted
. He wanted Othello to suffer so bad, he murdered his own wife after she told everybody that Iago was behind everything.
Why did Iago hate Othello?
Why does Iago hate Othello? The main reason Iago gives for plotting to destroy Othello is
a suspicion that Othello may have had an affair with Emilia
. … Iago also mentions that he is attracted to Desdemona himself: “I do love her too” (2.1.).
Did Othello slept with Iago's wife?
At the end of Act I, scene iii,
Iago says he thinks Othello may have slept with his wife
, Emilia: “It is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets / He has done my office” (I. iii. 369–370 ).
What kind of person is Othello?
As a
skilled soldier and general
, Othello is brave, confident, smart and physically strong. Unfortunately, he is also a racial outsider, insecure about his Moorish background, emotionally out of control and naïve. Othello's insecurity is his fatal flaw, a weakness in his personality.
How much older is Othello that Desdemona?
In the play, Othello is thirty-five and Desdemona is
eighteen
. Therefore, there is an age gap of seventeen years between the ill-fated couple.
Who is Iago jealous of in Othello?
iii. 449-450, 454-457). Iago's motivation for his evil acts is never specifically revealed in the play. He is upset and jealous that
Cassio
was chosen as lieu- tenant over him even though he, Iago, had more experience in the service.
Who is more jealous Iago or Othello?
He makes his decision based only on what Iago is merely suggesting to him without questioning Iago's motives. That being said, it is just as easy to argue that Iago is the more jealous of the two. He is terribly jealous of the fact that Othello promoted
Cassio
over him, and he is also jealous of Othello's popularity.
Who is the most jealous character in Othello?
Iago's Jealousy
Iago
is jealous of both Othello's success and the fact that Othello made Cassio a lieutenant. Iago claims that Cassio has never set a foot on the battlefield and that in promoting Cassio Othello has chosen by letter and affection and not by old gradation (Act 1.
Why does Roderigo hate Othello?
Roderigo hates Othello
because in his eyes, Othello stole his bride
.
Why did Iago hate Cassio?
Iago claims to resent Cassio because Othello chose Cassio rather than Iago as his lieutenant, in spite of the fact that Cassio has no practical knowledge of battle. Iago uses Cassio in his scheme to destroy Othello; Iago insinuates throughout that Cassio is having
an affair with Othello's wife
, Desdemona.
Does Iago love Desdemona?
Iago admits that
Othello is a loving husband to Desdemona
, but says that he, too, loves Desdemona. Don't forget, the revenge bit seems to stem from Iago thinking Othello had sex with his wife Emilia. … Iago also clarifies that part of his hatred for Cassio is a suspicion that Cassio, too, has slept with Iago's wife.
Did Cassio sleep with Desdemona?
Iago recounts that
Cassio supposedly called out to Desdemona in his sleep
, telling her to be cautious and hide their love. Then Cassio started writhing around in the bed and kissing Iago's hand as if it were Desdemona.
Did Othello actually slept with Emilia?
All Iago has to do to Othello is make him doubt Desdemona, and jealousy spreads like a virus until he rejects her absolutely. Notably, Iago, too,
has no evidence that Othello has slept with Emilia
, but the suspicion or doubt seems to have been sufficient to make him spurn Emilia and persecute Othello.
