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.