Othello

Bianca Veneto
Mr. Reed
English 11AP
9 February 2009

1.1.7–33

In this speech Iago speaks to Roderigo in a scene that appears to begin in the middle of a conversation between the two men. Iago swears that he hates Othello and recounts how three Venetian noblemen have humbled themselves to Othello as they have tried to persuade the general to appoint Iago his second in command. With supreme confidence, Iago asserts that no lower rank would match his abilities and experience. Because Othello – with a pompous excuse – has dismissed the men lobbying for Iago’s appointment in what Iago sees as arrogant and self-centered. Othello dismisses them by telling them he has already appointed Michael Cassio his lieutenant, a man Iago dismisses as a theorist with no practical experience and whom Iago insults as about to marry a fair-skinned blonde (a woman, according to an Italian proverb will either lead him astray or cheat on him). Iago goes on to accuse the leaders of Venice of being taken in by Cassio’s learned speech while ignoring his inexperience. Othello appointed Cassio his lieutenant though the general has witnessed Iago’s skills in battles on the islands of Rhodes and Cyprus as well as combat elsewhere in both Christian and Muslim territories. Consequently, Iago is left in an unfavorable position like someone who is at the mercy of both those who owe him and to whom is indebted. While Cassio, the mathematician, will enjoy the rank of second in command, Iago must be satisfied with that of the foreign general’s ensign.

This long speech comes at the very beginning of the play, providing necessary exposition and unfolding Iago’s motivation. Roderigo sparks the lengthy reply when his conversation indicates that he has heard – perhaps from Iago himself – that Othello has eloped with Desdemona. If the news is true, then Roderigo has reason to believe that Iago has simply taken money on the pretext of helping Roderigo win the hand of Desdemona with no real intention of doing so. The response, then, aims at convincing Roderigo that Iago so hates Othello for passing him over for promotion that he would have pursued Roderigo’s suit just to prevent the general from achieving another prize – Desdemona.

However, Iago goes well beyond an answer to Iago. It is clear from his words that Iago despises Othello, that he feels insulted by suffering the appointment of Cassio, the inexperienced scholar, in his own stead. That the Moor, a word Iago uses pejoratively, should not submit to the arguments of native-born noblemen incenses Iago. In this speech, he questions not only Othello’s military judgment but begins to hint at his prejudice against Othello for being both a foreigner and a Moor. (Though Othello is a Christian, he was born a Muslim.) He cannot accept that Othello sees any qualification in Cassio when the general has seen Iago in action in numerous battles at which he apparently distinguished himself.

In the next long speech, Iago details his own hypocrisy. He explains how he must appear loyal to Othello while in fact he will serve only his own purposes. It seems at this point in the play that his goals are to achieve the rank for which Othello has passed him over and to do anything else that will serve himself while eroding Othello’s standing in the eyes of the rulers of Venice.