Iago is characterized as a somewhat bitter and selfish man, who hates his boss Othello, and Cassio as he thinks that he deserved the promotion that Othello gave Cassio(8-33). He's decided to serve himself and his own purposes, rather than do his duty and serve Othello. He despises , 'Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave,/That doting on his own obsequious bondage, .... Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are/Who, trimmed in forms and visates of duty,/Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves, ... These fellows have some soul,/And such a one do I provess myself.' (45-55) He's also very cunning and uses others to acomplish his own goals, like Roderigo, 'Tush, never tell me, I take it much unkindly/That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse/As if hte strings were thine shouldst know of this.' (1-3). Iago sees himself as his own person, serving to fufil his own purposes and wants rather than someone who just does things that others tell him to do, more so if he doesn't like them.
Through the was the speeches Iago gives are formed, being eloquent and articulate rather than goofy or unorganized, along with the malcontent shown throughout them, it's clear that rather than a comedic buffon, he will be a serious villan and threat to the hero of the play.
Iago talks to Roderigo in a cajoling manner, acting as his friend and sympathising with his dislike for Othello, as shown by quotes like, 'Despise me if I do not... (8)' However, there are also times there it's that he really doesn't think of Roderigo as his equal as he gives him orders, like, 'Call up her father:/Rouse him, make after him, poison his delight, (68-69)'. His not really caring for Roderigo that much compared to his concern for himself is shown further in how he took his leave from the scene they'd created, 'Farewell, for I must leave you./It seems not meet nor wholesome to my place/To be produced, as if I stay I shall,/Against the Moor.(143-6)'
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