"O Sir, content you!
I follow him to serve my turn upon him.
We cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed."

The above lines were spoken by which of the following characters?

Correct option is B

Explanation:

The given lines are from William Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, spoken by Iago in Act I, Scene I. These lines are part of Iago’s manipulative dialogue where he reveals his duplicity and hidden resentment toward his master, Othello, for promoting Cassio over him.

Iago tells Roderigo that although he pretends to be loyal to Othello, his real purpose is to serve his own interests and to eventually seek revenge. The line “I follow him to serve my turn upon him” unveils his cunning intent and sets the tone for the theme of deception and duplicity that runs throughout the play.

Iago’s philosophy in these lines reflects Machiavellian pragmatism—that service is not necessarily about loyalty but can be a tool for personal gain.

Information Booster:

- Othello (1603), one of Shakespeare’s four great tragedies alongside Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth.

- Iago is furious about being overlooked for promotion and plots to take revenge against his General: Othello, the Moor of Venice. Iago manipulates Othello into believing his wife Desdemona is unfaithful, stirring Othello's jealousy. Othello allows jealousy to consume him, murders Desdemona, and then kills himself.

- Iago is one of the most complex villains in Shakespearean drama—scheming, manipulative, and driven by envy and revenge.

Themes in the lines:

- Appearance vs. Reality: Iago pretends to be loyal while plotting treachery.
- Power and Ambition: Iago’s frustration over being passed for promotion fuels his cunning.
- Servitude and Authority: These lines challenge the traditional notion of unquestioning service to authority.

- These lines introduce Iago’s role as the antagonist, and the psychological depth of manipulation and duplicity that he uses to dismantle Othello’s world.

- They show how Iago uses language persuasively to mask his true intentions.

Summary of Iago's character through this speech:

- Duplicitous and deceptive
- Master manipulator of language
- Embodiment of evil masked as service
- Resentful toward authority and meritocracy

Additional Knowledge:

Roderigo: He is a gullible Venetian nobleman who is used by Iago as a pawn in his schemes. 

Caliban: A character from The Tempest. Caliban is the savage servant of Prospero, known for his rebellion and poetic speeches on nature.

Cassio: He is the lieutenant chosen by Othello instead of Iago, leading to Iago’s envy. Cassio is noble and courteous.