Deadly Sins of Othello
..., although he is the villain. Envy is also evident through Roderigo. Othello had just married Desdemona and Roderigo felt helpless. He loved Desdemona and would have done anything for her. Roderigo was jealous enough of Othello that he offered Iago all of his money to separate Desdemona from Othello. Iago was supposed to help Roderigo win Desdemona over. Later in the play, Roderigo also agreed in helping Iago kill Cassio, who was an alleged threat of Roderigo’s to Desdemona. Roderigo did not know at the time, but all his jealousy was ultimately going to lead to his death; the death which was part of Iago’s master plan. Greed is a branch off of envy because Iago wanted to manipulate all of these people and get everything for himself in the end. The definition of greed is an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth. Throughout the play, Iago used Roderigo, Cassio, Bianca, and in the end, Othello, to get his revenge. Iago had no intentions of helping Roderigo out, he just wanted the lieutenant job and revenge for himself. Receiving all of Roderigo’s money was just an added bonus. Iago used Cassio’s stupidity while he was drunk to make him lose his job. Cassio was basically framed into attacking Montano. By attacking Montano, Cassio lost his job as lieutenant and Iago’s goal was fulfilled. Since Cassio lost his job as lieutenant, Iago suggested he talk to Desdemona about getting his job back. Iago basically states that Othello is whipped by Desdemona in that he will listen and adhere to whatever she says or wants. Cassio spending a lot of time with Desdemona discussing the loss of his job gave Iago the perfect excuse to give Roderigo to kill Cassio later in the story. Iago: Our general’s wife is now the general. I may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and devotement of her parts and graces. Confess yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you in your place again (Shakespeare 51-52: 314-319). Bianca was a prostitute and it was rumored that she was to wed Cassio. While Iago spoke about this rumor to Cassio, he began laughing as if it were nothing. Othello was watching this while in hiding and thought Iago was talking about Desdemona. Cassio pulled out a handkerchief that was the same as Othello had given to Desdemona. What Othello did not know was that the handkerchief was made as a replica of Desdemona’s so that it could be used against him. Othello assumed Desdemona had given it to Cassio and took it as a sign of infidelity. This infuriated Othello and paved the path to Cassio, Desdemona, and ultimately, Othello’s death. Iago’s greed had a huge effect on every character in the play. Even though the other characters were not affected directly, they are all affected in one way or another. The envy of Roderigo played into the hands of Iago’s envy and greed. All of Iago’s envy and greed is out of his hateful passion, or lust, for Othello. The definition of lust can be split into two parts. The first part can be an intense or unrestrained sexual craving. The second can be an overwhelming desire or craving. Both of these lusts are used early and often in the play. The lust in Othello, much like the definition, can go in two different directions. First, Othello and Roderigo had a sexual lust for Desdemona. Roderigo’s lust was a yearning for Desdemona and was not physical. Othello’s lust was physical and moreover passion and love for Desdemona since he was married to her. The other direction in which lust could go is the lust to hate. In other words, the lust is a hateful passion. This is very easy to see through Iago. He has a hateful lust for Othello like none other. Being turned down for the lieutenant job and suspicion of Othello sleeping with Emilia reinforces Iago’s hateful passion. Roderigo can be linked to this same hateful passion though Desdemona. Othello has Desdemona and a great past; Roderigo has nothing; nothi...