I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at

I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at

The line "I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at" is from William Shakespeare's play Othello. In this line, the character Iago is speaking to the audience, revealing his true intentions and nature. The phrase "wear my heart upon my sleeve" means to openly display one's emotions or vulnerabilities, making them easily accessible to others. By saying that he will do this "for daws to peck at," Iago is essentially admitting that he will expose his weaknesses for others to take advantage of.

Iago is a complex and manipulative character in Othello, known for his deceitful and cunning nature. Throughout the play, he schemes and plots to destroy the lives of those around him, particularly Othello and Desdemona. By declaring that he will wear his heart upon his sleeve, Iago is acknowledging that he will use his own emotions and vulnerabilities as tools to achieve his malicious goals.

This line also reflects the theme of appearance versus reality in Othello. Iago presents himself as a loyal and trustworthy friend to Othello, while secretly plotting his downfall. By wearing his heart upon his sleeve, Iago is showing that his outward appearance does not match his true intentions. He is willing to deceive and manipulate others in order to achieve his own desires.

The imagery of daws pecking at his heart further emphasizes Iago's willingness to expose himself to harm in order to achieve his goals. Daws are scavenging birds known for their opportunistic nature, and by comparing himself to them, Iago is highlighting his own predatory and manipulative tendencies.

Overall, the line "I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at" is a powerful and revealing statement that encapsulates Iago's character and motivations in Othello. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of trusting appearances and the destructive power of deceit and manipulation.