Iago and Honesty in Othello
Iago uses the word "honest" in act three of Othello in three primary ways. The first way he uses it is to mean honourable, about Cassio. He uses this meaning of the word to force Othello to doubt Cassio's honesty, and question his hounorablility. The second way is to mean faithful, both about Desdemona and Cassio. Iago uses it in the context that the two may be "truthful," again to make Othello doubt. The third way is Iago's most effective use, which is to use honest in the context to mean truthful, as in, he has told Othello the truth. However, Shakespeare has created tremendous dramatic irony, for we know that Iago is being anything except truthful. The three uses of the word honest are used largely in the subtext of the act, they are used by Iago to force Othello to question his wife's integrity, and honesty. Shakespeare uses the word by Iago to plant tremendous doubt in Othello's mind. The word is also used by Iago in the action line. His objective is constantly to make Othello think things without actually being told them, and Iago's parroting of the word and constant useage do this quite nicely.
Iago initially uses the word honest to mean honourable, in reference to Cassio. Othello has asked him if "he [Cassio] is not honest?" To which Iago parrots back "Honest my lord?" This usage is constant with what Othello means, whether Cassio is honourable or not. However, Iago uses the word to cast doubt on Othello. By parroting it back, he is making it seem to Othello that he does not want to answer the question, that he doesn't want to tell Othello something. This is seen in the subtext that Iago wishes to create. This use of it also contributes to Iago's objective, to...
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...o uses the word almost laughingly behind Othello's back, telling him that he has been driven to honesty, when he know that Iago is only telling Othello half truths. Shakespeare uses the word effectively to create dramatic irony.
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By repeating what Othello had originally asked, Iago is creating a deceptive illusion that causes Othello to think that he is hiding something that he does not want to show. This not only makes Iago seem like a reliable source of information, but also drills another reason to become insecure and outraged into Othello’s head. Iago not only deceives others by using the power of silence and intimacy, but he also lies to his targets to manipulate them into thinking something else; “My lord, you know I love you” (iii, iii, 122). Iago’s dishonesty causes Othello to think that he is a friend that he should trust and talk to, when in reality, Iago is plotting against him for his own benefits. Iago is not only lying to Othello in this passage, but he also says very little to once again make Othello even more curious and frustrated at the same time. Iago’s use of words causes Othello to believe every word that comes out of his mouth, even the most ridiculous statements that can cause an outrage. Iago’s trickery does not always have to come through silence and lies, but he can sometimes be honest as well to trick others into thinking that he is reliable; “For Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn, I think, that he is honest” (iii,
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Iago, like Satan, has proved himself to be a master at deception. He lies to everyone taking great care to disguise his own thoughts. For example, in Act 1, scene 2, when he is speaking to Othello about his feelings toward Cassio, he uses very strong language of a manly soldier, while at the same time, he lies throughout the whole speech faking loyalty to a fellow soldier and all the while implying that he is reluctantly holding back the full truth: "I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth/ Than it should do offense to Michael Cassio" (I.ii.21-22). This deception impresses and convinces Othello that his ensign is a good and loyal soldier. Iago also succeeds in deceiving Cassio. After Cassio's drunken fight, Iago counsels him to speak to Desdimona about trying to convince Othello to reinstate him as lieutenant, all th...
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Without a doubt, one of the main themes that runs throughout William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Othello, is that of honesty. In the play, the most interesting character is Iago, who is commonly called and known as "Honest Iago." However, this could not be farther from the truth. Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that benefits and moves him closer to his own goals. He is smart and an expert at judging the characters of others. Because of this, Iago pushes everyone to their tragic end.
“ O, that’s an honest fellow “, “You advise me well.... goodnight. honest Iago “ - “....that’s an honest fellow “ “ I know thou’rt full of love and honesty ”. Iago has everyone fooled into believing that he is a noble, honest man. Without this public perception of being honest he could never get Othello to believe that Desdemona was cheating on him. Othello would have probably killed him if he didn’t have the public perception.
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Iago being referred to as “honest” over twenty times in Othello can be seen as a message that Shakespeare was trying to send to his audience and readers. Shakespeare was trying to convey the idea that everything is usually not what it seems, and how it is ideal to question the things one hears before jumping to conclusions. He communicates this message through the brainwashing of Othello, Othello reassuring himself, and the demise of the main characters at the end of the
The word “honesty” has been mentioned in Othello many times, each representing a different meaning of the word, the first use of the word is to describe chastity, the question of whether a women is honest or if she is loose. Iago uses his personal dishonesty to convince Othello that his wife is sexually dishonest, at the same time pretending to be looking out for his best interest, as...