introduces othello at the very beginning of the play
his flaw is concealed from the audience, he's described in a way that shows hes well respected by the majority of the other characters
he is called valiant because he has been to war, fought against turks and won victories
"the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on" (A3S3L82)
the way iago describes jealousy to othello
the metaphor portrays the sinful associations of jealousy
shakespeare introduces the idea of jealousy as a monster, which eats up the 'meat' of the person who experiences it.
the word 'feeds' suggests the idea that jealousy is a consuming force
the word 'mock' reminds the audience of iago's habit of taking pleasure in other characters misfortune. Connecting him to the 'monster', making him a personification of jealousy
"i know my price, i am no worth no worse a place" (A1S2L11)
highlights how iago feels superior to cassio
the idea that cassio got the job and he didn't leaves iago feeling angry towards cassio, and feels the need to get revenge
due to cassio's promotion instead of his, his sense of superiority is undermined
he tries to regain his dominance by plotting against others
"honest iago, my desdemona i must leave to thee" (A1S3L294)
this highlights how at the beginning of the play othello feels no sense of jealousy or threat from any of the other men
emphasises his trust in desdemona as he leaves her to iago on a ship full of men
however the by referring to her as 'my desdemona' could either be a term of endearment, or a way of foreshadowing the ownership othello feels over her and the idea that she belongs to him and is his property
"but jealous souls will not be answered so. they are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they’re jealous. It is a monster begot upon itself, born on itself" (A3S4L157)
emilia attempts to explain to desdemona the irrational nature of jealousy
"they are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they’re jealous. It is a monster begot upon itself, born on itself" (A3S4L157)
emilia attempts to explain to desdemona the irrational nature of jealousy
jealous individuals may give reasoning, jealousy has no cause but itself, therefore, jealous people are inherently jealous
emilia recalls iago's image of the 'monster' and also recalls the ancient symbol of ouroboros which shows a snake swallowing its own tail
this emphasises how jealousy is a never ending circle, and those who are jealous are stuck in a self-perpetuating loop
"nothing can or shall content my soul until i'm even with him wife for wife" (A2S1L289)
reveals one of the reasons he dislikes othello so much is because he thinks he slept with his wife
highlights how iago's dark intentions towards othello and his relationship is fuelled by his own jealousy and anger
the soliloquy shows his deep desire for revenge
word choice of 'wife for wife' confirms to the audience that his plan will include desdemona
"a fellow almost damned in a fair wife that never set squadron on the field" (A1S1L21)
here iago conveys his anger and jealousy towards cassio by insulting him using sexist language
he states that cassio is so weak he could be beaten by a women
"i will chop her into messes" (A4S1L194)
emphasises the grotesque intensity of the anger his jealousy has created
the verb 'chop' has connotations of a painful action carried out of a sense of anger with the intent to hurt
begins shows to the audience the tragic consequences of unchecked jealousy