He can write and read and cast account. O monstrous! We took him setting of boys' copies. Here's a villain

He can write and read and cast account. O monstrous! We took him setting of boys' copies. Here's a villain

In the world of William Shakespeare, the ability to read and write was not something that was taken for granted. In fact, it was often seen as a mark of intelligence and sophistication. So when a character in one of his plays is described as being able to write, read, and cast accounts, it is meant to be a sign of their cunning and deceitful nature.

The quote "He can write and read and cast account. O monstrous! We took him setting of boys' copies. Here's a villain" is from Shakespeare's play "Othello". In this scene, the character Iago is speaking to another character about the villainous actions of another character, Cassio. Iago is expressing his shock and disbelief that someone as seemingly innocent and harmless as Cassio could be capable of such deceitful behavior.

The fact that Cassio is able to read and write is seen as a mark of his intelligence and cunning. In Shakespeare's time, literacy was not as common as it is today, so someone who could read and write was often seen as being more educated and sophisticated than others. This is why Iago is so shocked that Cassio, who was once trusted with the task of setting boys' copies, could be capable of such villainous actions.

The quote also highlights the theme of appearance versus reality in "Othello". Cassio may appear to be innocent and harmless on the surface, but underneath it all, he is capable of great evil. This theme is a common one in Shakespeare's plays, as he often explores the idea that things are not always as they seem.

Overall, the quote "He can write and read and cast account. O monstrous! We took him setting of boys' copies. Here's a villain" serves to highlight the complexity of human nature and the idea that even the most seemingly innocent individuals can be capable of great evil.