Othello Quotes

I know my price, I am worth no worse a

place.

Iago says he knows his own worth and

believes he deserves to be promoted.

One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,

a fellow almost damned in a fair wife,

That never set a squadron in the field

Nor the division of a battle knows

Iago speaks scornfully and jealousy of

Cassio, pointing out that he is from

Florence, not Venice, and that he is a

womaniser with no experience of the

battlefield. At the time, Florence and Venice

were separate city states, so Iago is

disgusted that a man he considers a

foreigner has been promoted above him.

I follow him to serve my turn upon him.

Iago tells Roderigo that he only serves

Othello in order to take advantage of him

when the opportunity arises.

Were I the Moor I would not be Iago.

In following him I follow but myself.

Iago may mean to say that if he were a

general, like Othello, he would not want to

be a lowly man like Iago, or he may mean

that if her were an honest and good man

like Othello, he wouldn't be himself.

You'll have your daughter covered with a

Barbary horse, you'll have your nephews

neigh to you,

Iago is punning on the word 'coursers' and

'corsairs'. Corsairs were pirates from the

North-west of Africa or those parts of Spain

occupied by people from north-west africa.

In other words, Moors.

I am not what I am.

This is a very important quote. Iago tells

Roderigo that he is not what he seems to

be and cannot be trusted. It is a perversion

of the line in the Bible in which God tells

Moses 'I am that I am'. Thus, Iago is linked

with evil. Shakespeare's audience would

have been aware of the connection

an old black ram is tupping your white ewe

Iago uses crude sexual imagery when

talking to Brabantio. He suggests that

Othello is like a black ram (male sheep)

mating with a white ewe (female sheep).

The bestial imagery shows Iago's twisted

view of love and relationships between men

and women.

Though I do hate him as I do hell pains yet for necessity of present life

I must show out a flag and sign of love,

Which is indeed but sign

Iago tells Roderigo that it is necessary for his livelihood that he presents an outward

show of loyalty, which is nothing but a

pretence. Therefore, he must leave

Roderigo and go to Othello before

Brabantio’s search party arrives at the

Sagittary Inn, where Othello and

Desdemona are lodging

But that I love the gentle Desdemona

I would not my unhoused free condition

Put into circumscription and confine

For the seas’ worth.

Othello tells Iago that only his great love for

Desdemona could have made him give up

his freedom and his bachelor life, which he

would not otherwise have given up for all

the treasure in the seas.

My parts, my title, and my perfect soul

Shall manifest me rightly.

Othello tells Iago that he refuses to hide

from Brabantio and his search party. He,

Othello, says that his qualities, his legal

rights as a husband and a Venetian

general, and his clear conscience will show

his accusers the truth of who he really is.

Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will

rust ’em.

Put away your shiny swords or they will rust

in the dewy night air.

O thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed

my daughter?

Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted

her

Brabantio calls Othello a foul thief with a

damned soul who has stolen Desdemona

from him by casting a spell over her.

the valiant Moor.

Valiant Othello

The first time Othello is referred to

respectfully by name.

She loved me for the dangers I had passed,

And I loved her that she did pity them.

Othello tells the Duke and senators that

Desdemona loved him for all his brave

adventures, and he, in turn, was attracted

by her admiration of him.

I think this tale would win my daughter, too.

The Duke is so impressed by Othello’s story

that he says it would have won his

daughter’s heart too.

That I did love the Moor to live with him,

My downright violence and storm of

fortunes May trumpet to the world.

Desdemona tells the Duke that she loves

Othello and wants to live with him, which

can be seen in her rebelling against her

father and not caring about the consequences. She wants the Duke to

allow her to accompany Othello to Cyprus.

Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see.

She has deceived her father, and may thee.

Brabantio warns Othello that Desdemona

deceived her father and may well do the

same to him in time. Brabantio’s words are

an indication of the trouble that is to come

between Othello and Desdemona.

Thus do I ever make my fool my purse

Iago gloats that he has always made

money from fools like Roderigo.

I hate the Moor,

And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my

sheets

He has done my office.

Iago claims to hate Othello and says that it

is widely believed Othelo has slept with

Iago’s wife.

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.

Iago scornfully says that Othello is such an

honest and trusting man that he does not

suspect others of things he would not do.

Therefore, Iago believes, he is easily fooled

and manipulated.

Hell and night

Must bring this monstrous birth to the

world’s light.

Iago has come up with his evil plan to bring

about Cassio and Othello’s downfall.