ABSTRACT
Iago gives the impression of being somewhat coarse, but loyal and honest. He is indeed courageous in battle. Fighting shoulder to shoulder with Othello he more than once saved Othello's life. Othello's intimate heart affairs, his love for Desdemona and her abduction were concealed from him, Iago, and confided to Cassio. It was not surprising that after Cassio was made Othello's adjutant Iago gave himself up to drink and debauchery. It may well be that his friendship with Roderigo was struck up during a drinking bout. Their favourite topics of conversation became partly Roderigo's dreams of winning Desdemona with Iago's help, and partly Iago's complaints about Othello's unjust treatment of him. To nourish spite and malice, everything was thought of and invented: Iago's past services, and Othello's past ingratitude, which had passed unnoticed at the time, but now appeared criminal. Thus he also came to remember the regimental gossip about Emilia.
