6-4-12 Iago vs. Cassio

One of the interesting mysteries of the play Othello is why Othello chose to promote Cassio over Iago into the #2 spot.

At some point things fell this way...

#1 - Othello - General
#2 - Some person we don't know - Lieutenant
#3 - Iago - Ensign
#4 or lower - Cassio

Then, something happend to the #2 guy.  Perhaps he was killed in battle.  Perhaps he took some other position... who knows? 

So then Othello had a decision... who was going to be the new #2?  Who was going to be the guy that, if something happened to Othello, would be the best to take over command?  Iago says that he is much more of a battle-tested soldier than Cassio.  Cassio, in turn, is deemed as being more of a scholarly tactician. 

Othello picks Cassio... which vaults Cassio above Iago.  So, by the time the play starts we have...

#1 - Othello - General
#2 - Cassio - Lieutenant
#3 - Iago - Ensign

First off... you can understand why Iago is mad.  The gig was his and he got passed over. 

I read something today that talked about how Iago is always at war.  We only see him and hear about him in terms of conflict.  Othello, on the other hand, seems to excel during both peaceful situations as well as war situations.  Othello perhaps knows Iago can handle war... but will Iago ever stop trying to wage war?  Can Iago thrive in a peaceful situation?  Cassio on the other hand is very personable and charming.  He's not just a military guy but you can see that he could be a diplomat as well.  In fact, Cassio is so personable and charming that Iago is able to use these qualities of Cassio's to make Othello think Desdemona may have feelings for Cassio. 

Whatever the case is for Cassio's promotion over Iago, I think that there are strong clues to be found in how to play Cassio based on why Othello chose Cassio over Iago.