Shakespeare Quotation Analysis

In following him, I follow but myself; Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, But seeming so, for my peculiar end: For when my outward action doth demonstrate The native act and figure of my heart In compliment extern, 'tis not long after But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.

Sample Quotation Analysis  In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago speaks to Roderigo and says “ I follow him to serve my turn upon him…Whip me such honest knaves” (I. i ). In this passage, we learn that Iago is following Othello for his own purposes. In addition, we can infer that Iago is racist and suggests that all masters are not “truly follow’d”. In these lines, the audience learns that Iago is not loyal to Othello and plans to execute his downfall. Words such as “knee-crooking knave” suggest that Iago sees true followers as weak and worthless. Shakespeare uses simile when Iago states, “wears out his time, much like his master’s ass”. This passage serves to show that all masters and followers eventually grow old. In this passage, we learn the true motives of Iago and begin to see what motivates him.

 In the quote “In following him, I follow but myself” (I ), Iago speaks to Roderigo about revenge on Othello. In this passage, the audience learns that Iago is not honest and cannot be trusted. When he says, “I am not what I am,” Iago’s cryptic language suggests he is not the person others make him out to be. Additionally, his language indicates that he will one day wear his “heart upon” his sleeve. But, we can infer that he probably never intends to do this. This passage is significant because we learn that Iago is not who he pretends to be.