In the beginning of the play Othello, there is a clear understanding of Iago’s feelings towards Othello, as he has bitter, hateful emotion towards due to the fact that Othello has given the position of Lieutenant to Michael Cassio; and Iago feels he would have been a better fit. In all, Iago wants revenge of Othello because he decides to give this position to Michael Cassio who Iago feels is not as deserving as well as revenge of Othello for giving not giving the position to him. To add to the plan of revenge Roderigo informed Iago of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage. In Iago’s viscous rant over his feelings towards Othello he states,

…Were I the Moor I would not be Iago.

In following him, I follow but myself.

Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,

But seeming so for my peculiar end

For 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. (Act I, Scene i, Lines 63-71)

This was a very interesting part of Act I, Scene i because of his comparison to the “Moor” which would be Othello. It was very difficult to fully understand due to Iago’s personality and emotion being expressed with connections between current events of promotion and potential political advantage. He states how if it was a different situation and he was in the position of Othello, he would not want to be Iago. Iago feels he is not as important and if he received the position Michael Cassio would have, he would have felt powerful. Iago says if he were Othello then he would not want to be Iago possibly because of Iago feeling powerless in a sense. This could also explain his jealousy towards the newly ranked Michael Cassio. If there seems to be someone challenging him, he will have to strive in a different way even if it is malicious to become that powerful role. Iago goes on to say how he is in this position for his own benefit, how he does not put effort into his position for others to go against him. By stating “I am not what I am” makes me think how he could be seen as friendly and caring towards his higher ranked friends but he really feels there is a malicious characteristic in which he possesses. The word choice could be foreshadowing his plan to ruin the relationship between Othello, Desdemona and Cassio all through the jealousy and bitterness of others obtaining promotion based politically instead of being based by morality.

This passage is significant to the entire play of Othello because it sets up the type of person Iago is and how he is being portrayed, giving the reader an idea on what could potentially appear later on. This is a good illustration on the mischievous personality Iago has, and for us as readers to understand his personality, it sets up the play on our mind.