Othello: Iago's Irony

In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the tragic protagonist allows himself to become swept away with his emotions putting aside his responsibility to maintain a level head as a general in the Venetian army while under the influence of a malicious villain disguised as a trustworthy confidant. In this play, Shakespeare utilizes Iago’s immorality and premeditated actions to emphasize the way in which Othello’s fatal flaws prevented him from seeing the veracity of the situation.

From the beginning of the play, it becomes evident that Othello posses certain traits that foreshadow his vulnerability and conflict with other characters in the play. Othello is described and seen as being prideful and egotistical, two qualities that became destructive for him and those around him in the end, and is what continued to fuel Iago’s insatiable desire to seek retribution. According to Iago, Othello knew that he was more qualified for the position as his Lieutenant but disregarded his moral duty as an honorable general to favor his friend.

Iago is a master of using his words to influence the actions and thoughts of others. In each scene, the audience witnesses Iago put on a mask and gradually convince others that he is simply a loyal, sympathetic listener when in reality he acts as a deceitful serpent waiting to strike. To Cassio, he is even “A Florentine more kind and honest.”(3.1.45), demonstrating the secrecy of Iago’s true self. Irony is explicitly used throughout the entire context of the play and should be most frequently noted in scenes between Othello and Iago. “I would not have your free and noble nature out of self-bounty be abused.”(3.3.230-231) In this scene Iago is encouraging Othello to instill his trust in the words he speaks, acting as if it pains him to confess Desdemona’s