Othello made me instantly think about Medea. I actually saw a little Medea in Iago. In Othello, we have Iago, which is presented as a character that is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, basically to promote his own agendas (more precisely killing two birds with one stone) –

The better shall my purpose work on him.

Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now,

To get his place and to plume up my will

In double knavery. (A I SIII , 434-437)

Iago is furious and wants to take down both in the same act. In a very sophisticated way, he ultimately finds the key : Desdemona. If he can convince Othello that his wife is cheating on him with Cassio, the mission will be accomplished.

Jumping back to Medea, we had another main character (Medea herself) seeking vengeance over something that was done to her. In this case, similarly, she was willing to do whatever it takes in order to achieve her agendas. Very motivated like Iago –

..instead he’s granted me a single day

to turn three enemies to three dead bodies:

the father, and the bride and my own husband.

I know so many pathways to their deaths

I don’t know which to turn to first, my friends. Shall I set the bridal home on fire, creeping silently into their bedroom? (374-381)

Medea, is laying down her plan to kill and cause suffering to the people she want to revenge. She speaks with very extreme terms of killing them or even setting the whole house on fire. A direct parallel when a major character is revealing its future plans in part of a long monologue.

Similarly, in both stories, a main character is furious-revenge-driven for a tort. Observing closely, you can see that an interesting similarity is that they both are debating on how to execute their plan. Medea says she knows many ways, but not sure which to choose, and Iago is wondering how should he do it. Another similar aspect, is their rage and motivation – simply willing do extremely bad deeds, and cross red lines in order to achieve their personal goals of revenge.

The differences can be divided into two main spectrums: Causation in justice, and Volume; Medea has been abandoned by her husband alone with the kids helpless for royalty (seems justified to be angry and seek revenge). Iago, on the other hand just didn’t get a promotion (it probably happened to most of us). And the rumors aren’t proven so its not really solid. I would say the audience can sympathize with Medea, but probably not with Iago. He is the ‘bad guy’ whereas about Medea I’m not entirely sure. The volume is also different, where Medea went as far as killing her own kids for her interests, and Iago clearly didn’t go so far (apart of making sure Roderigo dies stabbing him again he hasn’t done anything too extreme).

Very interesting similarity between the two stories, but some vast differences.

Othello:

Medea: