You say, you are a better soldier: Let it appear so; make your vaunting true. And it shall please me well

You say, you are a better soldier: Let it appear so; make your vaunting true. And it shall please me well

In the context of William Shakespeare, the quote "You say you are a better soldier: Let it appear so; make your vaunting true. And it shall please me well" can be found in the play "Othello". These words are spoken by the character Iago, who is known for his cunning and manipulative nature.

Iago is a master of deception and manipulation, and in this quote, he is challenging another character to prove their worth as a soldier. By saying "make your vaunting true", Iago is essentially telling the other character to back up their boasts with actions. He is daring them to show their skills and abilities on the battlefield, rather than just talking a big game.

This quote is significant because it highlights Iago's manipulative nature and his ability to play mind games with those around him. By challenging the other character to prove themselves as a better soldier, Iago is subtly undermining their confidence and planting seeds of doubt in their mind. He is using their own words against them, turning their boasts into a weapon to be used against them.

Additionally, this quote also speaks to the theme of appearance versus reality in "Othello". Throughout the play, characters are constantly deceiving each other and manipulating the truth to serve their own purposes. Iago's words here are a perfect example of this theme, as he is encouraging the other character to make their vaunting true in order to please him, while secretly plotting to use their actions against them.

Overall, this quote from "Othello" showcases Shakespeare's skill at crafting complex characters and exploring themes of deception and manipulation. Iago's words serve as a reminder that not everything is as it seems, and that appearances can be deceiving.