Assess The Role Of Iago's Deception In Othello

Throughout the play, Iago is presented as deceptive, in act 2 scene 3, Cassio states “You advise me well” to Iago, this is showing that Cassio is naive to Iago’s deception which links to the theme of tragedy as Cassio’s trust and unawareness of Iago will evidently destroy him in the near future, this quote is followed by “Good night, honest Iago” which furthermore emphasises the fact that Cassio trusts Iago, to the extent of calling him “honest Iago” as “honest” shows that his image of Iago is a truthful, righteous man who seeks justice, when in reality, Cassio has fallen into Iago’s web of deception and deceit, in which Iago will use to furthermore manipulate him to carry out his plans of destroying Othello. This creates a sense of dramatic

irony as only the audience is aware of Iago’s deceitful nature and thus builds tension in the play. Iago’s deceptive nature is furthermore emphasised when he states “I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.” This quote is showing that Iago is manipulating Cassio with compliments thus gaining his trust in the matter, this links to the fact that Iago has almost a visage to cover his true nature, and none of the other characters can see through this, thus he is easily manipulating them which creates Iago’s ego and belief in himself. Iago then states “You are right lieutenant; I must to the watch”. This again, emphasises Iago’s deceptive nature as he is manipulating Cassio into believing he is doing the right thing, when in reality he is merely aiding Iago with his plans to corrupt the military’s hierarchy. Cassio later exits unaware of Iago’s deceitfulness.

After Cassio leaves, Iago then states “And what’s he then says I play the villain?” This soliloquy shows that Iago is relishing his satisfaction as it has been so easy to manipulate Cassio and Roderigo to further his plan due to his persuasiveness.

In the same extract, Iago states “I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear”, this is foreshadowing that Iago is going to manipulate Othello into thinking Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, whom he has set up a meeting between the two, and Iago is going to use this to furthermore create distrust between Othello and Desdemona, this therefore allows the audience to see how Iago’s plan has developed throughout the play. Soon after, Iago quotes “So I will turn her virtue to pitch”, this is implying that Iago will turn her good intentions into a trap to manipulate Othello, this creates a foreshadowing of tragedy as Iago will turn an innocent meeting into a trap that will ruin Desdemona’s reputation with Othello, and as the audience already knows, Desdemona has deceived her father previously in the play, thus Othello will more likely believe Iago’s trap. Iago then quotes “When devils will the blackest sins put on, They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, As I do now.” Iago is comparing himself to the devil as he depicts them to put on their most heavenly faces when committing their biggest sins, much like he is doing now which links back to his visage of manipulation, which in essence is a mask to hide his true nature, much

like what he depicts the devil of doing when committing sins. Iago’s soliloquy relates to the setting of the scene, which took place at night. As the scene took place at night, this creates unpleasant imagery and deceitful imagery, this could also reflect the darkness of Iago’s plan and how Iago himself is an evil person.