I would argue that the similarity between these two
characters, who at first glance seem to be profoundly different, lies in their relation
to other characters in the play, most importantly to Iago and
Desdemona.
Clearly what seems to link these two characters
is the way that both are used and manipulated by Iago for his own ends. We see Roderigo
being manipulated in this way by Iago in Act I scene 1 as Iago gets him to alert
Brabantio to his daughter's elopement with Othello. Similarly, in Act II scene 3, we see
Iago tempting Cassio to get drunk so that he can provoke an argument between Cassio and
Roderigo, and get Cassio into trouble. Both characters are therefore alike in the way
that they are used by Iago for his own nefarious
purposes.
In addition, there does seem to be a similarity
in the way that both characters are in love or at least attracted by Desdemona. Roderigo
makes no secret of his love for Brabantio's daughter, and his jealousy is something that
is easily exploited by Othello. We never have a definite answer as to whether Cassio is
in love with Desdemona, but it is certainly his attraction and proximity to her that is
exploited, again by Iago, to bring about his revenge.
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