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The Color of Jealousy "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing" (The Bible, James 3:16). This “green-eyed monster” is the subconscious feeling of threat from the betterment of others. In Shakespeare’s Othello, envy flows as the main crux of betrayal and leads to the demise of Othello. As iron is eaten away by rust, so the envious are consumed by their passions. Iago is the catalyst of all resentful acts, against Othello. It is Iago’s selfish intentions, which the play evolves around. Iago’s gluttony comes from Othello’s decision of a “counter-caster” man for lieutenant and speculation of Othello sleeping with Emilia, Iago’s wife: “I hate the Moor,/ And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets/ H'as done my office. I know not if't be true,/ But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,/ Will do, as if for surety” (Shakespeare, I.iii.381-382). Iago wants revenge for his own suspicion that Othello has gone to bed with Emilia. It is eating at his gut and he will not be satisfied "Till [he is] even'd with him, wife for wife, / Or failing so, yet that [he] put the Moor / At least into a jealousy so strong / That judgment [reason] cannot cure" (II.i.299-302). The