"I am not what I am."

Okay, starting. Act 1 Scene 1.

For some reason, as much as I adore this play,I have to admit that I'm always a little tempted to skim over these first scenes, which seems to me to draw out the "Desdemona's father finds out she's eloped but it turns out ok in the end" plotline for a strangely long time; much of it, I suppose, is setting up the plot, introducing the characters, making sure the audience knows who the good guys and bad guys are. Iago explains his motivation, re: Cassio being promoted (which, as numerous literary scholar types have noted, you know, worst motivation ever. Or at least a little disproportionate), and demonstrates his ability to switch apparent allegiances without so much as pausing for breath.

... okay, one of the things I have picked up on re-reading, and am not sure I'd fully noticed before, is how much Iago pretty much announces straight out "Hey, I'm a lying fuck; don't trust me," and yet everyone still does. I mean, he demonstrates to Roderigo right off that he isn't the most trustworthy person ever, by showing how easily and convincingly he lies to Othello and Cassio, and yet Roderigo persists in thinking, well, I know the full story, he won't lie to me, I'm in on it... Human nature, I suppose? And then there's all that "Whip me such honest knaves" and "I am not what I am" and...

"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"

I mean, yeah. It's not like poor Roderigo could say he wasn't warned.

I always quite liked Roderigo, actually. I mean, yeah, he's kind of a git, but I mean... as a character, I liked him, and it's hard not to feel a bit sorry for the little idiot. I saw him played once as... this skinny kid in his late teens with one of those long indie-kid duffel-coat things, and thought it worked wonderfully. Roderigo as a Smiths fan... *grins* It just I don't know, suited him. All that zomg why don't I have a girlfriend angst, and the way he was uncertain enough of himself to be talked into doing such dreadful stupid things...

(I like the Smiths, incidentally. I have nothing against Smiths fans or indie angstbunnies, though I do feel they should try to avoid becoming sidekicks to sociopathic murderers whenever possible.)