Iago Spiteful In Othello

Iago can be characterized as spiteful because his goal of exacting revenge on Othello demonstrates how satisfied he will be if he harms Othello and goes beyond his boundaries in order to get back at Cassio as well. Iago is odious towards Othello because he made Cassio the lieutenant. As Iago continues to be spiteful, he starts to spread rumors about Othello raping Desdemona, Brabantio’s daughter. As Iago and Brabantio were talking, Iago says: “Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you’ll have your nephews neigh to you, you'll have coursers for cousins and he nets for Germans” (I.i.123-127). Iago is audacious because the rumor was spreading around and it could have jeopardized Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. …show more content…
When Iago says “we come to do you service,” he feels that it is his duty to pass on the rumor because he thinks that he is helping out Brabantio. Iago feels overwrought because he wants Brabantio to know about Desdemona and Othello as soon as possible. Iago goes to Brabantio and informs him about the false rumors before Brabantio gets to find out on his own. At this point Iago is also proving himself trustworthy and loyal to Brabantio because Iago wants him to believe the rumors so that something bad can happen to Othello. Iago uses the term “ruffians” and he is saying that they, Iago and Roderigo, are trying to help Brabantio out but he is treating them like thugs. When Iago says “covered with a Barbary horse” he is saying that the Moor will be all over