Othello: Reasons For Iago's Hatred Of Othello

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one Michael Cassio, a
Florentine . . . that never set a squadron on the field" (1.1.19-22).
Michael Cassio was more of an intellectual type, a book learner, and a
student of military science. Iago only proves good at fighting, whereas
Cassio has the tactical knowledge to effectively lead and win in battle.
To make matters worse, Cassio is also a foreigner, from Florence, and he
is of higher status and family name than Iago. All of these things
combine to magnify Iago's hatred of the Moor. Iago carefully planned his
future by persuading "three magnificoes to use their influence for his
promotion . . . only to learn that his old commander, for whom he had
repeatedly gone into battle, had given the so-much-desired lieutenancy to
another" (Draper 146). Iago served his commander well for many years and
felt that he deserved a reward for his services. Being a veteran of long
experience, Iago knew that in a few years "his active career will be over
and his occupation gone ...

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Knowing that Cassio does not
possess a very high tolerance to alcohol, Iago plans on getting Cassio
intoxicated. He tells Roderigo, a man who is deeply in love with Desdemona
and thinks Iago will help him gain Desdemona's love, that Cassio is "rash
and very sudden in [anger], and haply may strike at you: provoke him that
he may" (2.1.290-291). Cassio becomes angry and very susceptible to
fighting when he drinks too much. Iago plans to get Roderigo to provoke
Cassio to fight and cause a commotion; as a result, Cassio loses his temper
and strikes Montano.

When Othello asks Iago about the incident, Iago testifies against
Cassio, but "his testimony is all the more damning because it ...

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