Answer: Iago confesses that he hates Othello, but in his presence, pretends to be his friend.
Step-by-step explanation:
Othello is Shakespeare's tragedy about a general of Venetian army, Othello. His deceitful and envious friend, Iago, plots behind his back and destroys his life.
From the very beginning of the play, it becomes obvious that Iago hates Othello for multiple reasons. In Act I, Scene I, Iago confesses to Roderigo that Othello passed him over for a promotion to the position of lieutenant, choosing Cassio instead of him. In the same scene, Iago openly says that he hates ''the Moor'' and even suspects that he has slept with his wife.
Iago behaves differently in Othello's presence, in order to win Othello's trust. In Act I, Scene II, he pretends to warn Othello that Desdemona's father, Brabantio, is coming after him. He expresses his concern about Othello and Desdemona's marriage, which is not sincere. Othello fails to see Iago's treacherous nature, and even entrusts him with a task to take Desdemona to Cyprus in Act I, Scene III. He calls him ''honest Iago'', which is ironic, as he is far from honest. This is exactly what Iago wants to achieve - to have Othello's trust, to that he can betray him.