Othello Deception and Lies Quotes

Others there are
Who, trimm’d in forms and visages of duty,
Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves,
And, throwing but shows of service on their lords,
Do well thrive by them and when they have lined their coats
Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul;
And such a one do I profess myself.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 1, Scene 1. Iago provides us with a glimpse into his own parasitic soul and duplicitous nature in this revealing speech to Roderigo. He admits to being the kind of servant who puts on a false show of loyalty and duty to his master, so that he can thrive on the coattails of Othello’s power, success and prestige. And when the two-faced Iago has taken what he wants from the master-servant relationship, he will use it to further his own self-interest. Iago has a perverted view of what homage or honor is, arguing that it an honorable to be dishonorable to your master if it personally benefits you.

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.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 1, Scene 1. Iago reveals his deceitful nature to Roderigo. Confessing he is not the man he pretends to be, he never openly displays his true emotions for others to see. Otherwise he would leave his heart vulnerable for "daws" (foolish jackdaws or humans) to pick at. A fascinating and sinister character and the villain of the play, what you see is not what you get with Iago. Ironically when Iago speaks about his dishonest nature – "I am not what I am" – he is speaking the truth. This line is an allusion to a quote from Exodus 3:14, where Moses asks God is name and Gods says: "I am that I am." What is suggested here is that Iago is something of a diabolical figure and the opposite of God. Iago also provides us with the idiom "wear my heart upon my sleeve," a metaphor for openly showing your true feelings and emotions This is something he prefers to keep hidden from others. Iago remains one of Shakespeare’s most interesting villains.

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.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 1, Scene 1. Iago is quite open to Roderigo about his hatred of Othello, the black Moor hired by Venice as a general for its army. The play’s heinous and intriguing villain reveals his flair for deception. He plans to metaphorically display a “flag” of love for his boss Othello, in order to conceal his true feelings of loathing for him.

It is too true an evil: gone she is;
And what’s to come of my despised time
Is nought but bitterness. Now, Roderigo,
Where didst thou see her? O unhappy girl!
With the Moor, say’st thou? Who would be a father!
How didst thou know ’twas she? O she deceives me
Past thought! What said she to you? Get more tapers:
Raise all my kindred. Are they married, think you?

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 1, Scene 1. A bitter, shocked and betrayed father is how Brabantio describes himself after discovering Desdemona missing from the house. For him it is confirmation of his worst fear of the secret romance between her and Othello, revealed to him earlier by Roderigo and Iago. In his speech to Roderigo he accuses his daughter of deceiving him. He also displays his racial prejudice against Othello by describing Desdemona’s relationship with "the Moor" as "too true an evil." He asks Roderigo if the pair are married, and Roderigo says that he believes they are.

And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
Against your honour
That, with the little godliness I have,
I did full hard forbear him.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 1, Scene 2. Iago tells Othello that Brabantio insulted the general’s honor and he had to restrain himself from hurting Brabantio. Iago is of course lying because he is trying to manipulate and provoke Othello into attacking Brabantio. A two-faced Iago puts on the appearance of loyalty to Othello, when we know that he has nothing but hatred for him. Othello appears not to see through the facade Iago hides behind, setting himself up for a tragic downfall. It is ironic for Iago to speak of his "godliness," when we know that he is a villain with no morals.

Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:
She has deceived her father, and may thee.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 1, Scene 3. Brabantio warns Othello that Desdemona has deceived her father and will likely betray Othello as well. Brabantio is unfairly painting his daughter as a deceiver, and perpetuating the stereotype of women in general as deceivers of men. He is also planting a seed of doubt in Othello’s mind about his wife’s trustworthiness, foreshadowing later tragic events when Iago uses Brabantio’s words to persuade Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful to him.

Thus do I ever make my fool my purse:
For I mine own gain’d knowledge should profane,
If I would time expend with such a snipe.
But for my sport and profit.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 1, Scene 3. Soliloquies can reveal a lot about the character of the person who speaks them. In Iago’s first he sneeringly refers to Roderigo as a fool, having just convinced him to sell all his land, so Iago can further enrich himself. Using metaphors he compares Roderigo to "my purse" and "a snipe," admitting that he only spends time with this idiot to use him as a cash cow and for his amusement. Iago’s deceptive and treacherous nature is on full show here, as he manipulates Roderigo into handing over large sums of money, supposedly to purchase gifts for and win the affections of Desdemona, but instead it is pocketed by Iago.

Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies: and will she love him still for prating? let not thy discreet heart think it.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 2, Scene 1. There is an irony in an inveterate liar like Iago accusing Othello of telling "fantastical lies" and making up stories in order to win Desdemona’s love. He is trying to convince Roderigo that Desdemona fell in love with Othello too quickly and will soon grow tired of him.

Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me.
For making him egregiously an ass
And practising upon his peace and quiet
Even to madness. ‘Tis here, but yet confused:
Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 2, Scene 1. In Iago’s second soliloquy he reveals his scheme to revenge himself on Othello. He will do this by pretending to be Othello’s friend to gain his love, so that he can destroy Othello’s peace of mind and drive him to madness. Foreshadowed here are Othello’s jealousy-driven descent into madness and the tragic events and deaths that follow. The important theme of appearance vs reality is captured here, as Iago removes his mask to show the "plain face" of his knavery, but only to us the audience. Themes of deception and treachery also feature strongly in Iago’s plotting to destroy his master. He dehumanizes Othello by using an animal metaphor to compare him to "an ass."

He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar
And give direction: and do but see his vice;
‘Tis to his virtue a just equinox,
The one as long as the other: ’tis pity of him.
I fear the trust Othello puts him in.
On some odd time of his infirmity,
Will shake this island.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 2, Scene 3. Iago is full of praise for Cassio’s skills as a soldier to Montano. But his compliment is a double-edged one. In the same breath he tells the Cyprus Governor that Cassio is as great a drunk as he is a soldier and his drunkenness may cause major problems for Othello in Cyprus. Iago goes on to tell Montano that Cassio gets drunk every night. However, he is lying and knows that Cassio is not a regular drunk, but overindulged on this occasion because Iago manipulated him into doing so. Iago is also manipulating Montano here in order to damage Cassio’s reputation, so that he can take over Cassio’s job as Othello’s lieutenant.

I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;
Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth
Shall nothing wrong him.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 2, Scene 3. This is Iago’s response when Montano warns him to give a truthful account of the brawl and not one that favors Cassio. Lying comes so naturally to Iago. He pretends to be a loyal friend to Cassio, when in fact Iago orchestrated the fight in which Cassio stabbed Montano. His motivation: to discredit Cassio and replace him as Othello’s lieutenant.

I know, Iago,
Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee
But never more be officer of mine.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 2, Scene 3. We see an example of dramatic irony when Othello praises Iago’s honesty and love. This is after Iago explains Cassio’s part in a drunken brawl. Othello is completely taken in by Iago’s claim that he doesn’t wish to get Cassio in trouble. But the audience knows the truth: Iago was the one who planned the entire situation in order to get Cassio in trouble and discredit him in the eyes of Othello. A rash Othello rushes to judgment and immediately dismisses Cassio as his lieutenant. This character flaw of Othello, who is too quick to believe one side of a story without fully investigating it for himself, will later lead to his downfall.

As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some bodily wound; there is more sense in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition: oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 2, Scene 3. With much irony and as part of his plan to deceive others, Iago refers to himself as an honest person when he speaks to Cassio. Cassio has lamented that his reputation is ruined after getting into a drunken brawl and losing his position as Othello’s lieutenant. But Iago offers Cassio his own cynical view on reputation, saying that it is not that important because it is often given without being deserved.

I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 2, Scene 3. Iago makes this ironic reply when Cassio thanks him for his advice and help after being fired as Othello’s lieutenant. Iago lies when he tells him that he has done this out of love, when the reality is he using Cassio to destroy Othello. The man with an unequaled flair for deception also refers to himself as honest. But Iago just wants to appear that way to others, so he can better deceive them.

Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false;
As where’s that palace whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure,
But some uncleanly apprehensions
Keep leets and law-days and in session sit
With meditations lawful?

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 3, Scene 3. Iago, the ultimate master of the art of manipulation, says this to Othello when he demands that Iago reveal his thoughts. Hesitating to speak them openly, Iago claims to worry that what he is thinking (about Cassio’s improper behavior with Desdemona) might be "vile and false." Ironically his thoughts are just that, nothing but a fabrication. Iago is using evasion, pretence of modesty and power of suggestion to make his lies appear credible to a gullible Othello.

O grace! O heaven forgive me!
Are you a man? have you a soul or sense?
God be wi’ you; take mine office. O wretched fool.
That livest to make thine honesty a vice!
O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world
To be direct and honest is not safe.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 3, Scene 3. When Othello threatens death and damnation over Iago’s suggestions about Desdemona’s infidelity, Iago goes straight into full manipulation and deception mode. Calling on heaven to forgive him, the devilish Iago questions Othello’s manhood. He feigns surprise at Othello’s reaction, pretends to quit as his lieutenant, and plays victim by saying it is dangerous to be honest. It is ironic of Iago to claim he is "direct and honest" to Othello when he is lying about Desdemona’s cheating.

OTHELLO: Give me a living reason she’s disloyal.
IAGO: I lay with Cassio lately;
And, being troubled with a raging tooth,
I could not sleep. There are a kind of men
So loose of soul that in their sleeps will mutter
Their affairs. One of this kind is Cassio.
In sleep I heard him say "Sweet Desdemona,
Let us be wary, let us hide our loves."

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 3, Scene 3. Iago invents a lie to inflame Othello’s jealousy over Desdemona, when Othello asks for proof of her disloyalty. Iago falsely claims that as he and Cassio shared a bed one night, Cassio called out in his sleep, addressed his "sweet Desdemona" and pleaded with her to keep their love affair a secret.
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