Examples Of Persuasion In Othello

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Throughout Shakespeare’s play Othello there are many times when Iago persuades Othello. Iago’s persuasion then causes a tragic flaw to Othello. In the play Iago is known for being “Honest Iago” but he really is not very honest at all which is very ironic. Shakespeare develops Othello’s tragic flaw by having Iago lie to Othello and making him believe something that is not true. Iago uses persuasion throughout the whole play. For example, in Act I Scene II Iago tells Othello, “Nay, but he prated And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms Against your honor” (Shakespeare 1.2 8-10). Iago is saying that Brabantio was speaking bad of Othello when really he said nothing bad of him and it was all Iago. This is the first sign of Iago starting to lie …show more content…

Iago first lies to Othello when he says, “Cassio my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it That he would steal away so guiltylike, Seeing your coming” (Shakespeare 3.3 41-43). This is the first seed of doubt that Iago plants in Othello’s head about Cassio being with Desdemona. Originally it was Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia all talking together but as soon as Othello entered, Cassio left. Iago tells Othello that Cassio left looking all guilty, like he was hiding something. In these lines Iago is using logos toward Othello by being logically and saying why else would Cassio leave when you entered if he weren’t hiding something important. Also, in these lines and a lot of the other lines in this scene Shakespeare uses syntax. He uses syntax by making it sound like Iago is hesitant to respond to Othello which makes it seem like Iago is hiding something. Another quote in this scene when Iago persuades Othello is when he tells him, “I sleep I heard him say ‘Sweet Desdemona let us be wary, let us hide our loves’ And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand, Cry ‘O sweet creature’ then kiss me hard” (Shakespeare 3.3 475-478). This quote is explaining how Cassio has dreams about having sex with Desdemona. This is all made up by Iago as he has no clue what Cassio dreams about, but he persuades Othello that it is true. This quote uses pathos by playing with Othello’s

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