Othello's disloyal standard-bearer and the villain of the play. Angry at having been passed over by Othello for promotion to the rank of lieutenant, and also because he seems to enjoy creating mayhem for its own sake, Iago develops an intricate conspiracy to ruin Othello. He is married to Emilia.
Iago Quotes in Othello
The Othello quotes below are all either spoken by Iago or refer to Iago. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 1, scene 1
Quotes
"When my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In complement extern, tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at. I am not what I am."
The native act and figure of my heart
In complement extern, tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at. I am not what I am."
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Act 1, scene 3
Quotes
"The Moor is of a free and open nature
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so;
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose
As asses are."
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so;
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose
As asses are."
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Act 2, scene 1
Quotes
"Oh heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best."
"Her eye must be fed."
"I'll [...] make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me
For making him egregiously an ass."
For making him egregiously an ass."
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Act 3, scene 3
Quotes
"Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul
But I do love thee! And when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again."
But I do love thee! And when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again."
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"Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls.
Who steals my purse steals trash; tis something, nothing;
Twas mine, tis his, and has been slave to thousands.
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed"
Is the immediate jewel of their souls.
Who steals my purse steals trash; tis something, nothing;
Twas mine, tis his, and has been slave to thousands.
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed"
"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock
The meat it feeds on."
It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock
The meat it feeds on."
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Explanation and Analysis:
"This honest creature doubtless
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds."
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds."
"This fellow's of exceeding honesty,
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit
Of human dealings."
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit
Of human dealings."
"Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof."
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Explanation and Analysis:
Act 4, scene 1
Quotes
"Her honor is an essence that's not seen;
They have it very oft that have it not."
They have it very oft that have it not."
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Act 5, scene 2
Quotes
"I told him what I thought, and told no more
Than what he found himself was apt and true."
Than what he found himself was apt and true."
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Iago Quotes in Othello
The Othello quotes below are all either spoken by Iago or refer to Iago. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 1, scene 1
Quotes
"When my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In complement extern, tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at. I am not what I am."
The native act and figure of my heart
In complement extern, tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at. I am not what I am."
Related Characters:
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 1, scene 3
Quotes
"The Moor is of a free and open nature
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so;
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose
As asses are."
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so;
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose
As asses are."
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 2, scene 1
Quotes
"Oh heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best."
"Her eye must be fed."
"I'll [...] make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me
For making him egregiously an ass."
For making him egregiously an ass."
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 3, scene 3
Quotes
"Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul
But I do love thee! And when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again."
But I do love thee! And when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again."
Related Characters:
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
"Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls.
Who steals my purse steals trash; tis something, nothing;
Twas mine, tis his, and has been slave to thousands.
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed"
Is the immediate jewel of their souls.
Who steals my purse steals trash; tis something, nothing;
Twas mine, tis his, and has been slave to thousands.
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed"
"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock
The meat it feeds on."
It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock
The meat it feeds on."
Related Characters:
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
"This honest creature doubtless
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds."
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds."
"This fellow's of exceeding honesty,
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit
Of human dealings."
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit
Of human dealings."
"Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof."
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 4, scene 1
Quotes
"Her honor is an essence that's not seen;
They have it very oft that have it not."
They have it very oft that have it not."
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 5, scene 2
Quotes
"I told him what I thought, and told no more
Than what he found himself was apt and true."
Than what he found himself was apt and true."