Shakespeare's Iago and Santiago Matamoros. (dramatist William Shakespeare's play Othello; Spanish patron saint St. James)

Shakespeare's source for Othello is a story from Giraldi Cinthio's Hecatommithi, in which the villain is simply designated by his military rank, Alfiero, meaning ensign or ancient. But Shakespeare chose to name him Iago, Spanish for Jacob or James. As has been noted by various scholars, this name is appropriate for several reasons.(1) In Hebrew it means the one who supplants or undermines,(2) apt for the role of Iago. Further, Saint James or Santiago is the patron saint of Spain, and his name was the national war cry heard by the English from 1585 to 1604, giving it a hostile sound to English ears.

The name of this saint had been invoked as an anti-Protestant battle cry …