... Iago makes a substantial profit. He also thinks quickly on his feet and is able to improvise whenever something unexpected occurs. When Cassio takes hold of Desdemona's hand before the arrival of Othello, Iago says, "With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio." [Act II, Scene I, ... slowly poisons people's thoughts, creating ideas in their heads without implicating himself. "And what's he then that says I play the villain, when this advice is free I give, and honest," [Act II, Scene III, Line 303] says Iago, the master of deception. Thus, people rarely stop to c...

• Word Count: 999
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... the play, Roderigo says to Iago, "Tush! Never tell me; I take it much unkindly That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this" (1.1.1-3). When he says "this," he is referring to the elopement of Desdemona and Othello. When Iago says that the ... thy hate" (1.1.7). After Roderigo says this, Iago tells Roderigo that he was passed over for the lieutenant position. We can infer from this that Iago had told Roderigo of his hatred for Othello before this conversation. Iago not only despises Othello, but resents Cassio for stealing his covenant positi...

• Word Count: 878
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School