Iago's Use of Language in William Shakespeare's Othello
The play, 'Othello', written in the 17th century by William
Shakespeare is a tragic play which involves romance, love, murder and
deceit. 'Iago', one of the main characters, other than Othello, is
very cunning and manipulative person. He is very sly in his ways and
he will do anything to be more powerful, not caring about whom he
hurts in the process.
In Act 3 Scene 3, we can see that Iago's plan of revenge is on
progress. He lies and cleverly persuades Othello to believe that his
wife Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio and he also involves
Roderigo and Emilia in his plotting. Iago is further assisted in this
by Desdemona chance of dropping handkerchief of great sentimental
value given to her by Othello. Othello commits himself to revenge
wanting Iago to plan Cassio's death while he plans to kill Desdemona.
Thus, this scene is important because it is showing us turning points
of different characters. Othello who appears to be good and less
tempered in previous acts is now angry and obsessed with revenge and
vulnerable in this act. So, we can see a sudden change in Othello's
character.
After reading the act, audience is convinced and can predict that the
play will end tragedically because these scenes have no going back for
Othello.
The audience responds in different ways. At the beginning of the play,
when Iago is talking to Roderigo, we think that Othello is the bad
one. However as the play continues we see Iago's hatred towards him.
The audience does fear Iago to a certain extent as he seems so
faithful on the outside but is deceit and clever from inside. However,
I believe the audience admires Iago, as the way he manages to get
everyone participated in getting revenge on Othello.
Iago focuses on Othello's insecurities and uses them to bring about
suspicion and jealousy from Othello. Leading up to Act 3 Scene 3, Iago
has managed to lower Cassio's rank.
Iago’s Use of Rhetorical Strategies to Manipulate Othello in Shakespeare’s Othello. Rhetorical strategies are continually used to get a point across, or to manipulate another. Iago uses many devices to put false accusations into Othello’s head. In lines 330-447 in Act 3 scene 3, Iago uses rhetorical questioning, imagery, and sarcasm.
Everyone at some point in their lives attempts to convince someone to behave certain ways and to do specific things that ultimately will only benefit the person doing the convincing. Throughout the entire book, Othello, Iago attempts to convince numerous people in order to in the end only benefit and help himself. In this scene, Roderigo is explaining to Iago how he no longer wants to love because he is without Desdemona’s love. Iago then focuses on convincing Roderigo not only out of suicide, but also into getting Desdemona back. If Iago was unable to encourage Roderigo to go back after Desdemona, his plans would have been ruined. In lines 296-395, Iago uses many different uses of language in order to convince Roderigo to do what he wants him to do.
Othello sends her off to get Desdemona and says to the audience “She says enough, yet she’s a simple bawd/That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore,/A closet, lock and key, of villainous secrets./And yet she’ll kneel and pray, I have seen her do ’t.” (4.2.21-24) Othello is dismissing her statement under the principle that any woman would say the same story and the only truth he can trust would be what he is told by a man. Othello uses words such as “whore” and “villainous,” which are words first spoken by Iago. These are used only in the most demeaning way and this shows that he truly believes that no matter what evidence he is shown, or who claims she is a good wife, that she has just hidden her true nature from them as he has seen her “kneel and pray” just like any good wife.
The Reason why Iago develop such as evil plan is because Iago suspect that Othello is having an affair with his wife Emilia. He cited when he said "And it is thought abroad that 'twist my sheets he's done my office." The irony behind this line is that he then says, "I know not if't be true, but I, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety." That mean, He is not sure that Othello is having an affair with his wife but he will pay anyhow, this show that Iago is so blind with his jealousy that he will do anything on his reach to make Othello for such act no sure committed.
A Shakespearean play always includes a typical villain character. He is boisterous, egotistical, sometimes witty, and all too eager to seek revenge. In William Shakespeare Othello, Iago is the well-liked, trusted, and brave ensign of the great Venetian general Othello, or so it appears. Iago actually possesses all of the typical villainous qualities, however Iago conducts himself with great composure, and by manipulating his counterparts, he makes people believe he is on their side. I find this characteristic to be a very intriguing one that is not easy to perform. It is perhaps Iago's villainous actions throughout this play that lead me to believe that he is the hero rather than the typical villain.
Critical Analysis of Iago's Soliloquy in Act 2 Scene 3 of Othello by William Shakespeare
The beginning of the play, Iago was just resentful and odious because of the the jealously he had
The play Othello was written in 1604 during the Elizabethan era. Othello, the moor, enjoyed success in combat, which gained him a reputation as one of Venice’s most prominent Generals. He married the lovely Desdemona, the daughter of Brabantio, a Venetian Senator. Othello, despite his blackness, is a noble leader and Cassio his Lieutenant. Iago, serves as Othello’s ensign- an officer of low rank. Iago thinks he is worthy of a better title and resents both Othello and Cassio for their position. Iago was intrigued by Othello’s decision to appoint Cassio since he believed he had the qualities and experiences needed for the position despite having the “three great ones of the city” advocate in his favor. (1.1.9). Iago is threatened by both Othello
Iago’s animosity towards Othello emanates from the very core of his being. Can the tragedy in Othello be explained in this way?
There are many reasons why we study William Shakespeare’s plays today. There is the insight into human nature that he knows well, allusions to old mythology and legends, and others. However, one reason stands out above the rest: his power of language. Also, this power of language is clearly shown in his play, Othello, through Iago, the antagonist of the play. Iago, who is an ensign of Othello, is furious that he was not given the promotion of lieutenancy. As a result, he uses his craftiness and his “power of language” to take revenge on Othello. Although his plan foils, he causes Othello to kill his wife Desdemona and commit suicide, all the while he deceives and exploits other characters for his plan. In Othello, Iago demonstrates his power
In act two, he is prompted by Iago to cause a commotion and begin a fight with
Iago's Manipulation of Characters in William Shakespeare's Othello. Introduction The play 'Othello' was created by William Shakespeare. Othello is a tale set in Venice at the time when adultery was a hanging offence. It is a tale all about jealousy and manipulation by one of the main characters, i.e. the characters, Iago.
role in the outcome. Iago was very consumed in the idea of revenge and wishing to be of
Come, go with me apart; I will withdraw, To furnish me with some swift means of death For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.” (III,3,2167) Proof of Iago 's evil is easy to come by, but he is no more evil that when he uses his wife as a pawn in his twisted revenge plot.
The classic antagonist in every story seeks to see the fruition of their devious plan, and would most likely be successful without the direct opposition of the protagonist. However, in Othello, rather than working against Othello, Iago gives an illusion of working with him in order to gain an advantage in the construction of his plot. Acting as a playwright within the play, Iago pushes and prods characters into the position that is most favorable to his final plan, which ultimately is to bring down Othello. In Iago, Shakespeare presents a villain who is not only able to construct elaborate schemes, but one who is also clever enough to disguise them with a façade that allows him to manipulate others.