Roderigo Quotes

Tush! never tell me; I take it much unkindly
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 1, Scene 1. The opening lines of the play are spoken by the gullible simpleton Roderigo, who has more money than brains. This wealthy young man allows himself to become an instrument in the sinister villain Iago’s plan to bring about the downfall of Venice’s black army general Othello. Roderigo loves Desdemona and has been giving Iago large sums of money to buy expensive gifts for her so that Roderigo can win her love. But Roderigo is a disappointed suitor, the "this" he refers to is the news that Othello has eloped with Desdemona. From the very opening of the play, we see Iago’s evil manipulation at work. In a simile, Roderigo says that Iago has control of his money as if the drawstrings on his purse were Iago’s.

RODERIGO: Thou told’st me thou didst hold him in thy hate.
IAGO: Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city,
In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,
Off-capp’d to him: and, by the faith of man,
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place:
But he; as loving his own pride and purposes,
Evades them, with a bombast circumstance
Horribly stuff’d with epithets of war.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 1, Scene 1. Iago confides to Roderigo how he hates Othello after three powerful men failed in their pleas to Othello to make Iago his lieutenant. Feeling wronged by a prideful Othello who promotes Cassio instead, Iago’s resentment and jealousy set the tone for the rest of the play. Foreshadowed here is his plot to exact vengeance and destroy Othello.

I will incontinently drown myself…It is silliness to live, when to live is torment, and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 1, Scene 3. A despondent Roderigo is so obsessively in love with Desdemona that when he hears of her marriage to Othello he threatens to drown himself. He appear to have no other reason for living than Desdemona, now unattainable to him. A simpleton and weak character, this makes him ripe for Iago to manipulate and use to enact his plan for revenge against Othello. In this passage death is personified as a doctor.

I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is almost spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well cudgelled; and I think the issue will be, I shall have so much experience for my pains, and so, with no money at all and a little more wit, return again to Venice.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 2, Scene 3. The gullible fool Roderigo, conned by Iago into funding his schemes, is frustrated by his failure to win Desdemona’s heart. Despite all the money he has given Iago, meant to buy gifts for Desdemona but pocketed by Iago instead, Desdemona hasn’t looked Roderigo’s way. Roderigo is almost broke and ready to quit Cyprus and return to Venice. He uses a simile to compare himself to a hound that hunts but has failed to capture his prey.

Every day thou daffest me with some device, Iago; and rather, as it seems to me now, keepest from me all conveniency than suppliest me with the least advantage of hope. I will indeed no longer endure it, nor am I yet persuaded to put up in peace what already I have foolishly suffered.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 4, Scene 2. In his bid to win Desdemona, a frustrated Roderigo tells Iago that he keeps making him promises to facilitate this but coming up with excuses instead. He stands up to Iago by warning him that he won’t put up with this anymore. Iago has been cleverly manipulating and sweet talking the foolish Roderigo out of his money, while promising to help him win Desdemona’s affection. Slow-witted and blind, Roderigo is only now beginning to see that Iago has been deceiving and playing him.

I have wasted myself out of my means. The jewels you have had from me to deliver to Desdemona would half have corrupted a votarist: you have told me she hath received them and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden respect and acquaintance, but I find none.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 4, Scene 2. The penny finally drops for Roderigo. He is upset with Iago because he wasted all his money and sent enough jewels to Desdemona via Iago to corrupt a nun. But Iago’s promise that Desdemona would return some sign of affection never materialized. The scales have fallen from Roderigo’s eyes and he realizes that Iago has manipulated and tricked him.

I will make myself known to Desdemona: if she will return me my jewels, I will give over my suit and repent my unlawful solicitation; if not, assure yourself I will seek satisfaction of you.

– William Shakespeare

Othello, Act 4, Scene 2. A frustrated Roderigo gives a warning that could derail Iago’s schemes. Roderigo tells Iago that he will ask for all his jewels back from Desdemona and if she returns them he will give up pursuing her. If she does not, he vows to look for satisfaction from Iago. Iago was meant to pass on Roderigo’s jewels to Desdemona, but she never received them, and this revelation would expose Iago as dishonest and untrustworthy.
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