Iago, a main character in Othello is perceived as a very good and honest man. This image of Iago quickly changes when the hidden motives behind his honesty are revealed. Iago desperately wanted to be second in command; however, Cassio was chosen for the position. This filled Iago with jealousy. Iago had misleadingly warned Othello of the soul deteriorating emotion one calls jealousy; otherwise known as "The green eyed monster" (3. 3. 167). To fulfill his appetite for power, Iago followed through with a plan that directly lead to the tragedies that occur in Othello. On the surface, Othello is a romantic tragedy, however beneath that is a story about persuasion, greed, and jealousy in human nature. .
Iago's greed and jealousy truly gets the best of him. He stopped at nothing to earn the title of second in command. Clearly Iago has come in contact with the corruption that jealousy brings; therefore, he uses what he knows from experience to get what he wants. .
Almost every lie told by Iago was truly the sad reality of his own life. Towards the beginning of Othello, Iago expresses that he thinks his wife, Emilia may or may not have had an affair with Othello. Shortly after the audience is informed of this, Iago plants the seed of jealousy into Othello's mind, convincing him that Desdemona has been having an affair with none-other than Cassio. Unfortunately, for Othello and other main characters, Othello and Desdemona did not know each other very well, making it easier for Iago to morph Othello's pure image of Desdemona. "I hate the moor/ And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets/ He has done my office. I know not if't be true/ But I, for mere suspicion in that kind/ Will do as if for surety" (1. 3. 47-8). The level of greed and jealousy that Iago was facing was severely high. This shows that Iago knew the effects that jealousy have on a person. To many, it may have seemed like Iago's plan had just fallen into place; however he took what he knew and used it to his advantage.
