Background info
- Iago has been looked over for the job as Othello’s lieutenant and stays as an ensign
- This went to Cassio
- Othello is black in Venice yet has earned his respect from the Venetians
Iago first impressions
- He makes himself to be the better person for the job as he states that he has been “At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other ground” whereas Cassio is “a great arithmetician”
- He shows ambition and that he wants the position “He, in good time, must his lieutenant be”
- Contradicts himself as he claims Cassio got the job through “Preferment goes by letter and affection” yet he sent 3 people to flatter Othello
- Equally he is Othello’s best friend so if it was favouritism Iago would’ve gotten the job
- First sign of Iago being manipulative
- Equally he is Othello’s best friend so if it was favouritism Iago would’ve gotten the job
- Iago claims himself that he will be manipulative and two-faced by saying “I am not what I am”
- This sets up him as a character and what his actions will be
Iago’s insults
- “His Moorship’s ancient”
- Moorship is used offensively, a way to show fake respect
- The idea that Othello has ‘stolen’ Desdemona from Brabantio and that he is a “thief”
- Refers to them having sex on their wedding night as “making the beast with two backs”
Iago and Rodrigo power dynamic
- Once Iago starts using racial insults Roderigo does too
- Iago comes up with the ideas and Roderigo follows them as he believes that the way to Desdemona is through Iago