What is Iago's soliloquy in shakespeare's Othello act 2 scene 1?

Answer 1

The soliloquy in question goes as follows:

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. I hate the Moor,

And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets

He has done my office: I know not if't be true,

Yet I, for mere suspicion in that kind,

Will do as if for surety. He holds me well;

The better shall my purpose work on him.

Cassio's a proper man; let me see now:

To get his place and to plume up my will

In double knavery; how, how? Let's see;

After some time, to abuse Othello's ear

That he is too familiar with his wife:

He hath a person and a smooth dispose

To be suspected, framed to make women false.

The Moor is of a free and open nature,

That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,

And will as tenderly be led by the nose

As asses are.

I have't; it is engender'd: hell and night

Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light.

In the first sentence (up to the word "profit") Iago is sneering at Roderigo who has just left. He then turns his thoughts to the plan which will form the action of the play.

"I hate the Moor" Well, that's pretty straightforward. Iago hates Othello. The rest of the soliloquy is Iago trying to figure out what he will do in order to destroy Othello, which as we know is to convince Othello that his wife is having an affair with Cassio. When all the pieces snap into place, he says, "I have't!"

Answer 2

It is the last speech of the scene, starting at about line 285.