Othello

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Othello | The Relationship Between Othello and Iago

At the start of Othello, Iago makes very clear to Roderigo the apparent cause for his hatred of the general. His lack of promotion to lieutenant leads him to declare:

… be judge yourself,
Whether I in any just term am affin'd
To love the Moor.
(I.i.38-40)¹

Such a motive is not a grand-scale one, nor one which might cast Iago as the Universal Villain. His secondary motive, however, provides a different insight into his character, and provides the first instance of the theme which will dominate this play—sexual jealousy:

I...

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See Also:

• - For teachers, the Othello Lesson Plan.
• - Read the Othello text online.
• - Othello summary and study guide in the eNotes.

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