‘Tis my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy.
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 2, Scene 1. The courteous and mannerly Cassio makes this comment to Iago after he greets Iago’s wife Emilia with a kiss. The likable and friendly Florentine establishes his credentials as a charmer with the ladies. But his "show of courtesy" to them can be open to misrepresentation as flirtation. This is an important quote, because the perhaps too gallant Cassio’s behavior towards women is used later by Iago to suggest an improper relationship with Desdemona.