Othello: Act 2, Scene 1 Iago’s Second Soliloquy

As soon as Iago has gotten Roderigo to agree to his plan, he dismisses him and plans to meet him at a later time. Alone, Iago praises himself. He makes up information about Cassio and Desdemona, but tells himself that it could be true.

Iago’s Perception of Events That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it; / That she loves him, ‘tis apt and of great credit. Here, Iago convinces himself that what he has said about Desdemona and Cassio is true.

For Iago: Suspicion = Truth ‘…tis apt” --likely “…of great credit” --quite believable

Iago’s feelings for Othello “The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,” However it may be, I cannot stand Othello.

Iago’s description of Othello [The Moor] Is of a constant, loving, noble nature, / And I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona A most dear husband.”

Literary Term: Pun Definition: A play on words that sound similar or exactly the same. Example: Dear means both beloved and expensive.

The word “dear”: Iago is making a cruel pun on the word “dear” because it means both “beloved” and “expensive.” Because Othello is “constant, loving, noble” he will be outraged over Iago’s accusations and Desdemona will pay a high price.

Iago feels lust, not love. Now, I do love her too; / Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure I stand accountant for as a great sin, But partly led to diet my revenge, Here, Iago speaks of his own motivations. This is not real love, it is one part lust and nine parts power. He seeks revenge for his own suspicions.

For I do suspect the lusty Moor / Hath leap’d into my seat; the thought whereof Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw at my inwards. And nothing can or shall content my soul… Iago wants revenge for his own suspicion that Othello has slept with Emilia. This thought is eating at his gut and he will not be satisfied until he exacts his revenge.

…Till I am even’d with him, wife for wife, Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor / At least jealousy so strong / That judgment cannot cure. The phrase, “even’d with him, wife for wife,” seems to mean that he has some notion that he might have sex with Desdemona, but that is not the most important thing for Iago: he wants Othello to feel poisonous jealousy.

Iago’s Plan: His preview …Which thing to do, If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash For his quick hunting, stand the putting on, / I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip, / Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb

Roderigo In this part of the soliloquy, Iago is referring to Roderigo: “This poor trash of Venice…”, in other words: If Roderigo can carry out what I need, whose steps I purse to make him hunt more quickly, for which I put him up to

Cassio: “On the hip” To have Cassio “on the hip” means he will have Cassio at a disadvantage. This is a Wrestling term

Abuse him to the Moor in rank garb-- Here, Iago is saying that he will use language that makes Cassio look coarse or lecherous.

Iago’s Paranoia For I fear Cassio with my night- cap too-- Iago’s paranoia makes him suspect that Cassio is sleeping with Emilia (Iago’s wife).

Iago’s intentions Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me For making him egregiously an ass And practicing on his peace and quiet Even to madness Othello must be made to feel the same way about Desdemona and Cassio. Iago will enjoy this because Othello will be thanking him while going mad with jealousy.

Tis here, but yet confused: / Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used. Here, Iago is saying that he has a plan, but the details are still unclear. Or, he needs to work out some details. But he is a master of evil (“knavery”) and can improvise