How Does Shakespeare Use Soliloquy In Othello

The use of soliloquy is one way in which Shakespeare uses to depict the picture of the character Iago and the large conspiracy in which he is planning to execute. It is a case in point in which the character uses own thoughts in revealing the plans he or she holds towards other characters in a piece of literature work. Iago is a character who expresses his thoughts to show the deep hatred he holds towards Othello and how he plans on using various conspiracies to destroy Cassio, skim Roderigo and ultimately gain the leadership from Othello. The soliloquies help the audience have an understanding of the wickedness of Iago and how he plans on using all this wickedness to fulfill his selfish desires.

One of the soliloquy shows the initial hatred that Iago has towards Othello. The hatred arises when Othello overlooks Iago for a lieutenant position preferring Cassio. He decides to exploit his friend Roderigo and uses the soliloquy ‘Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.... I hate the Moor...’ to show that he plans to use Roderigo as one of the ways in which he is to finance his evil schemes. Iago knows that Roderigo is in love with Desdemona and he plans on exploiting those feelings so that Roderigo can be part of the

scheme. As a matter of fact, Roderigo does not realize that he is fooled by Iago though in the play he is shown as being witty. The plan is a continuation from what Iago had told Roderigo to tell Desdemona’s parents. He says “Yet throw such changes of vexation on’t. As it may lose some color” (Shakespeare & Bevington, 2014, Scene 1, Act 1, Line 74-75). The implication is that Iago views Roderigo as a means to an end and this just shows the extent he is willing to go to make his friend be part of his devious scheme.
However, the next soliloquy after the conversation he has with his friend Roderigo shows just how much Iago is willing to go or do to succeed in his conspiracies. It is in the soliloquy in which he states ‘Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards; And nothing shall or content my soul. Till I am evened with him, wife for wife; (Shakespeare & Bevington, 2014,Scene 2, Act 1, Line 299). By sharing these thoughts with the audience, Iago shows that he is settling nothing less rather than the destruction of Othello and by extension, fulfill his desire for power. It is worth to note that Iago does not show any remorse for the victims of his crimes and all he cares about is that he gets to what he aims at.
It is worth examining the final conspiracy that Iago has to fulfill his ambitions.

He plans on showing that Cassio and Desdemona are in an illicit affair and this he feels would be helpful in making Othello fire Cassio or even have him killed. The soliloquy, ‘I will in Cassio’s lodgings lose this napkin, and let him find it. Trifles light as air, are to the jealous confirmations strong, as proofs of holy writ. This may do something’ (Shakespeare & Bevington, 2014, Scene 3, Act 3, Line 337-340). Here, Iago plans on the final act on how Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio would all turn against each other and that he would be left the only one standing. It is a grand scheme that Iago feels eliminates all his enemies and he remains the only one standing; the

victor.
The conclusion can only point to the way Shakespeare uses soliloquy by Iago to paint the character as devious and wicked. The soliloquy shows the audience the conspiracies of Iago, and it is not surprising on how the tragic finally ends. The victims all fell to the manipulation and evil machinations of Iago.