Iago's Soliloquy

Iago's Soliloquy Hatred. Honesty. Betrayal. In act I, scene III of Shakespeare's play, "Othello," Shakespeare specifically points out the thoughts of "honest" Iago. Iago is the snake throughout the play. He plots a cunning revenge upon Othello, the innocent Moor wedded to the "pure" Desdemona. Desdemona will be accused by Iago of double-crossing Othello with Cassio, Othello's trusted general. Because Iago assumes that Othello "twixt his sheets," this passage reveals how Iago's soliloquy builds a foreshadowing and hatred mood in the plot that will soon end in tragedy. In scene III of act I, Shakespeare generates a foreshadowing mood through Iago's soliloquy. He states a key image: "I hate the Moor" (Act I, iii, 404). Iago's hatred for Othello is the key to the entire plot. He refers to Othello as "the Moor." Moor in the olden days meant black, muslim, or person of color. He illustrates his color of racism and detestation towards Othello. He also declares that Othello "will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are" (Act I, iii, 419-420). Iago relates Othello to an "ass," a donkey. He degrades Othello's ethos by referring him to an animal. Hence, his hatred of the Moor will lead to a catastrophic sequence of deaths.
He confesses to the mere suspicion that his wife and Othello have cheated on him. He confirms that although "it's with suspicion, he will do as for surety" (Act I, iii, 407-408). In other words, he will avenge his insecurity as if the rumors were to be true. This illustrates a dramatic irony because Othello will be facing the same situation. Iago will play into his mind claiming that Desdemona and Cassio are more than friends. Thus, this grudge Iago holds against Othello will turn into a great despair for all the characters in the