Role of lieutenant

• ‘I know my price, I am worth no worse a place’


  Iago knows his worth and status
• ‘Never set a squadron in a field’
• ‘Merely prattle without practice’

  • Cassio’s actions cannot back up his claims of experience as he is not worthy of his position
• 'such honest knaves’

  • Iago has no respect for those that genuinely admire there masters and has no patience for good people, considering them to be fools. He is in no illusion of his own honesty and scorns those that are genuinely good. He sees it as a valuable life lesson to put yourself before others needs.
• ‘Throwing but shows of service on their lords. Do not thrive by them’

  Iago merely pretends do admire his master to profit from the attention that his master gives, without giving himself away. He has no real ambition to serve Othello, yet is jealous that Cassio has been promoted over himself. His jealousy is therefore not driven out of ambition, but rather furthering his status and position
• ‘I follow him to serve my turn upon him’


   Iago serves him for revenge. A life of servitude is not fulfilling to Iago as he believes that he is worthy of more