While one could expect that Montano would be a major adversary of Othello's,
given the latter's usurpation of the governorship of Cyrpus at Montano's
expense, the opposite is, in fact, the case. In Shakespeare's play, Montano is
a former subordinate of the Moorish general, and continues to hold Othello in
very high esteem. Neither jealous of Othello's superior military record, not
dismayed by his replacement as governor of Cyprus by the Muslim warrior,
Montano remains firmly in Othello's camp. As Cassio, the oft-enebriated but
intensely loyal second-in-command to Othello raises a toast to to the Moor, and
with the duplicitous and vindictive Iago secretly conspiring against them all,
Montano reiterates his dedication to Othello: CASSIO To the health of our
general! MONTANO I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice. Not
cognizant of the depths of Iago's convictions with regard to Othello, and the
extent to which the former will go bring about the fall of the latter, Montano
further expresses his affection and concern for his commanding officer: MONTANO
And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor Should hazard such a place as his own
second With one of an ingraft infirmity: It were an honest action to say So to
the Moor. Montano's loyalty to Othello will be used against him by Iago.
Montano is, however, a loyal subordinate of the Moor.
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