Iago: Mere prattle without practice Is all his soldiership, But he, Sir had the election; And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof At Rhodes, at Cyprus, a...

Iago:    Mere prattle without practice
         Is all his soldiership, But he, Sir had the election;
         And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
         At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds
         .....must be belee'd and calmed
         By debitor and creditor

(Act 1, Scene One, Lines 23-28)

Iago___________

Answer Details

Iago is upset about Cassio's appointment as Lieutenant and believes that Cassio is not a good soldier. Iago thinks that Cassio's military skills are just talk and not backed up by actual actions. Iago believes that Cassio only got the appointment because of his relationship with Othello and not because of his abilities as a soldier.