Iago's façade

Question 1

I follow him to serve my turn upon him

Answer 1

Iago 1.1 - he will accept the humiliating role of acting as Othello’s ancient to unleash his Machiavellian scheming onto him

Question 2

In following him I follow but myself:/Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty/But seeming so

Answer 2

Iago 1.1 - he will pretend to love Othello and be loyal, but is hiding his true motives; the caesura demonstrates the split between his veneer of friendship and true villainy

Question 3

I am not what I am

Answer 3

Iago 1.1 - the chiastic structure demonstrates the duplicity in Iago’s identity and presentation as he is hiding his true nature to manipulate Othello and those around him

Question 4

Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains,/Yet for necessity of present life/I must show out a flag and sign of love

Answer 4

Iago 1.1 - the demonic imagery highlights his villainy as Iago tells the audience how deep his veneer of friendship is, as he ardently hates Othello

Question 5

By Janus

Answer 5

Iago 1.2 - this is a small bit of dramatic irony, as Janus is a god with two faces, representing Iago’s façade