The subject of our attention is to be the character of these two individuals and how their unique characters are exposed in the opening act and scene of Othello.

The impatience (and immaturity) of Roderigo immediately becomes apparent with the use of the phrase ‘Never tell me’ in the first line. His immaturity is hinted at with the tone of the language that he is using. He sounds like a child with this use of language.

The reference to his (Roderigo’s) ‘purse’ tells us of the relationship between the two.

Iago immediately exerts control over the situation putting Roderigo down with ‘Sblood, but you’ll not hear me!’ a show of the fact that Iago believes Roderigo to be a naïve (and immature) fool that is to be manipulated. He batters back at Roderigo’s attack with his own offensive (before Roderigo’s attack gains momentum). This is a good show of the fact that

There is a good deal learnt about both characters, however there are many more things that are learnt about Iago than there is learnt about Roderigo in this scene. The playwright is setting Iago up as a pivotal character in the play. He immediately comes across as a powerful but bitter character that immediately strikes at the audience with his imaginative language although remaining elusive, a constantly changing mystery. Roderigo is merely (although this doesn’t make him less important) a tool that is being used to show Iago for what he truly is (in this scene at least).

A further insight into Iago’s nature is obtained from his following speech and in particular the line ‘Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe.’ Is this a show of how Iago views human nature? There are further pointers to confirm this further on in the scene too, refer to lines 105 – 110 and also ‘Your daughter and the Moor are making the beast with two backs.’ Gives us an insight into Iago’s tendency to see human activity in animal terms.

Roderigo immediately throws a deliberate offensive comment regarding Othello with ‘thick-lips’. The Elizabethans didn’t make any distinction between Moor and Negro but as was said before… Roderigo is being deliberately offensive here.

Some topics in this essay:
Roderigo Iago, Othello Iago, Signior Brabantio, Moor Negro, Furthermore Othello, , Brabantio Thieves, iago believes, iago’s true nature, iago’s true, learn iago, roderigo immediately, insight iago’s, roderigo’s attack, ho brabantio, refer lines, othello iago, timid language,