Tush! never tell me; I take it much unkindly
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 1, Scene 1. The opening lines of the play are spoken by the gullible simpleton Roderigo, who has more money than brains. This wealthy young man allows himself to become an instrument in the sinister villain Iago’s plan to bring about the downfall of Venice’s black army general Othello. Roderigo loves Desdemona and has been giving Iago large sums of money to buy expensive gifts for her so that Roderigo can win her love. But Roderigo is a disappointed suitor, the "this" he refers to is the news that Othello has eloped with Desdemona. From the very opening of the play, we see Iago’s evil manipulation at work. In a simile, Roderigo says that Iago has control of his money as if the drawstrings on his purse were Iago’s.