Othello Quote Log: Act 2, Scene 1

“That Cassio loves her, I do well believe ’t. / That she loves him, ’tis apt and of great credit. / The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not, / Is of a constant, loving, noble nature, / And I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona / A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too, / Not out of absolute lust—though peradventure / I stand accountant for as great a sin— / But partly led to diet my revenge, / For that I do suspect the lusty Moor / Hath leaped into my seat. The thought whereof / Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards, / And nothing can or shall content my soul / Till I am evened with him, wife for wife. / Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor / At least into a jealousy so strong / That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do, / If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trace / 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 / (For I fear Cassio with my nightcap too) / Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me / For making him egregiously an ass / And practicing upon his peace and quiet / Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused. / Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used” (2.1. 308-334)

 Iago's desires are purely selfish. He is willing to do anything to sabotage Othello and his happiness. His jealousy of Cassio has fueled his hatred for Othello. Iago is slowly becoming more and more paranoid as time goes on. Not only does he think that Othello has slept with his wife, he believes that Cassio has done so as well. Although both of these scenarios could definitely be true, he most likely believes this because of his hatred for Othello and his jealousy for Cassio. Iago admits to loving Desdemona, only because she is the instrument of his revenge. He also pretends to be Roderigo's friend to get what he wants from him. He calls Roderigo "poor trash of Venice". He is planning on gaining Othello's trust, then betraying him once he gets what he wants from him: the promotion that had been given to Cassio.