Iago cleverly appears to be reluctant to speak ill against others.This is a technique Iago uses so that in Othello’s eyes he is seen to be of good and honest nature, someone who doesn’t speak about other people behind their backs. - Iago, Act 1 Scene 1). Iago and Roderigo wake Desdemona’s father, Brabanto, to tell him about the marriage. Shakespeare uses irony continuously throughout the play when it comes to Iago. He is obviously a well educated and intelligent character which makes his manipulation that much more well-placed and influential. In this soliloquy Iago's schemes are becoming a reality and his tone is one of confidence as he continues to play the villain and appear to be honest. In an essay, discuss why honesty-or the reputation for being honest or the lack of honesty-is so important in Shakespeare's Othello. Iago is merely manipulating the other characters’ good nature and using his reputation as “Honest Iago” to avoid being conspicuous. Some readers have suggested that Iago’s true, underlying motive for persecuting Othello is his homosexual love for the general. * Animals Iago and Othello Nobles in the play will often speak in iambic pentameter, making their Iago’s crude language is excused as that of a straightforward soldier, with Cassio allowing, 'He speaks home, madam; you may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar' (2.1.161–62). Othello repeats it in his own mind, until there is no doubt. Iago’s language is Shakespeare’s tool in conveying all of these facets to the audience. 294). Iago’s murder of Emilia could also stem from the general hatred of women that he displays. a means of emphasizing Iago's duplicity ? It is full of colloquialisms and oaths, befitting a cynical soldier. Emilia then reveals to Othello Iago's manipulation. Twice in Othello Shakespeare uses song as a literary tool. Iago reveals this plan in his soliloquy, “For whiles this honest fool/Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes,/And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,/I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear:/That she repeals him for her body’s lust.” (2.3.320-324). Essay about Language and Literary Techniques in Othello 2832 Words | 12 Pages. This would be undra matic, as well as uncomplimentary to the intelligence of the au dience. This is most ironic, of course, since Iago is the furthest thing from it. In addition to rousing the drinking spirit within Cassio, Iago’s song would incite and provoke Shakespeare’s Jacobean audience. This is when the audience became aware of Iago’s duplicitous nature, at the beginning of the play he speaks of his resentment filled hate “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. It explores the tragedies and atrocities that exists in society, many aspects unfortunately still relevant… As Emilia continues to divulge Iago's actions he kills her and flees. It is so typical of Iago to make sure a comment which absolutely describes his motives but covers it to appear have some moral conscious. There is dramatic irony, parody and use of figurative language (the imagery). (II.iii.26). Othello calls him ‘honest Iago’ as early as Act 1 Scene 3, and trusts him throughout the play. This is evident in his constant repetition of “honest” when talking to Emilia in the final scene. Iago is the play's main antagonist, and Othello's standard-bearer.He is the husband of Emilia, who is in turn the attendant of Othello's wife Desdemona.Iago hates Othello and devises a plan to destroy him by making him believe that his wife is having an affair with his lieutenant, Michael Cassio. Moreover, Iago is not honest when he assures Cassio that the loss of reputation means so little. Iago (/ i ˈ ɑː ɡ oʊ /) is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Othello (c. 1601–1604). But Iago’s use of language is more complicated than this. Shakespeare’s Othello unfortunately remains a little too relevant for a modern audience. The use of poetic technique in Iago's soliloquy reveals his motive, personality and the true 'light' behind the play based on deceit. Iago is most honest (II.iii.7) Othello, unaware of Iago's evil plans, comments on his honesty. We quickly notice that the villain slips between prose and verse, adapting his style to suit his different audiences and purposes. Shakespeare uses a number of techniques to express the manipulaton of Iago in this scene. The techniques are used to affect the characters in a negative way in favor of the villain. Othello has now come to completely trust the deceitful Iago and distrust his honest wife. Ironically Iago is repeatedly described as honest - this shows that Iago is such a skilled manipulator: Cassio says that he "never knew a Florentine more kind and honest" Desdemona declares "O, that's an honest fellow" He persuades Othello that his "honesty and love doth mince this matter" when the opposite is true. His is the longest part with 1,070 lines. Language is the source of Iago’s power too, but his characteristic idiom is very different. One of the most ironic parts of the play is the fact Othello puts great trust into Iago, who lies the most and is actually working against Othello. It is just a facade, put on to fool those around him into trusting him and letting their guard down long enough for him to trick them. 297-364 ) and with Michael Cassio (see 2.3.239-302 ). Iago’s character is consumed with hatred and envy. Iago manipulates Othello throughout the course of act 3 beginning with the line “Men should be what they seem”. William Empson, in “Honest in Othello”, states that “everybody calls Iago honest once or twice, but with Othello it becomes an obsession”. In “Act 1 Scene 2” Shakespeare’s use of poetical linguistics limits Othello’s views on other characters “honest Iago”. Within one single scene, II.iii, Iago is four times called "honest", twice by Othello, once by Cassio, and once by himself. Trickery and manipulation of language is Iago's power as he is able to slip between prose and verse, adopting his style to suit his different audiences and purposes. Iago’s convincing rhetoric and language techniques clearly reveal what a powerful and dangerous tool language can be, especially when used by the eloquent, but deceitful, individual. Did he regard it as a fundamental structural element of the play ? Iago has to do little to make Othello believe him. The problem has haunted me somewhat as the knocking at the gate in Macbeth haunted De Quincey, and it challenges investigation. The first such instance is when Iago sings to Cassio in his attempt to get Cassio drunk. Iago affects the characters’ lives in a negative way by his honest reputation, his ability to “read” people, and how he “proves” to be Loyal. Iago’s convincing rhetoric and language techniques clearly reveal what a powerful and dangerous tool language can be, especially when used by the eloquent, but deceitful, individual. Iago is a master of insinuation and deception, and he uses those skills to take advantage of other characters' weaknesses and insecurities. Shakespeare's vast knowledge, and writing style made his works interesting for both the intellectual, and the illiterate. Shakespeare reveals him to be a cunning and conniving exploiter and manipulator of other characters who become caught in his web of lies, deceit and evil schemes. The villain slips between prose and verse, adapting his style to suit his different audiences and purposes. Iago’s honest … The villain Iago from "Othello" is a central character, and understanding him is key to understanding Shakespeare's entire play. Therefore it also makes Othello not suspect Iago of any dishonest behaviour. Iago is referred to as honest over fifty times in the play, by almost every character. In essence, Iago appeals to Othello’s quick acting solider nature. Iago seems to be calm and kind, warm-hearted and loyal: many even call him “honest Iago,” but there is a sting of irony to this – Iago isn’t honest at all. If one is so obviously honest, it is astonishing it need be repeated so often. Lesson Extensions For further evidence of Iago's successful persuasive techniques, one might also profitably examine Iago's interactions with Roderigo (see 1.3. It is full of compounds, colloquialisms and oaths, befitting a bluff soldier. This conflation of honesty with soldierly bluntness disadvantages Desdemona, who can never communicate her honesty in this manner. Using Paapa’s strategies, we’ve started to look at what Iago's language tells us about him in this Act 1 Scene 3 soliloquy. Othello Shakespeare Techniques Symbolism Writing Style Irony Symbolism Writing Style Shakespeare uses quite a lot of irony in Othello, which is one of the reasons Othello works. Shakespeare employs a variety of language, dramatic and theatrical techniques in shaping my understanding of the rather enigmatic yet definitely Machiavellian, character of Iago. ‘ If Iago used complex language (as he is capable of doing), this technique may have not proved success with Othello who is ‘rude in speech’ and ‘little blessed with the soft phrases of peace’. Honest Iago, My Desdemona must I leave to thee: I prithee, let thy wife attend on her: And bring them after in the best advantage. Language is the source of Iago’s power, but his characteristic idiom is different from Othello’s. He is obviously a well educated and intelligent character which makes his manipulation that much more well-placed and influential. Iago is the play's main antagonist, and Othello's standard-bearer.He is the husband of Emilia, who is in turn the attendant of Othello's wife Desdemona.Iago hates Othello and devises a plan to destroy him by making him believe that his wife is having an affair with his lieutenant, Michael Cassio. Honest Iago of Othello To most of the world William Shakespeare is recognized as the greatest dramatist in history. Iago describes the coupling in graphic, racially charged terms. The idea of him playing a game is expressed in the words "I play the villain". Iago deceives Othello, who trusts him the most throughout the story, often referring to Iago as “honest Iago” (I. i. One of the main contrasts of language in Othello is “Act 1 Scene 2”. Iago presents himself as an honest and nobleman, but this a front to hide his true colors, and gain the trust of others around him, most notably Othello, whom he despises ("I follow him to serve mine own turn." Cassio takes his leave from Iago: "Good night, honest Iago. But Iago’s use of language is more complicated than this. Actions towards men Othello "As honest as I am" - To Othello - Act 2 Scene 1 "Men should be what they seem" - To Othello - Act 3 Scene 3 Cassio "It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock" - To Othello - Act 3 Scene 3 "I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness" - He certainly seems to take great pleasure in preventing Othello from enjoying marital happiness, and he expresses his love for Othello frequently and effusively. In Othello, the antagonist Iago, plays that role. His plays have been performed for centuries through various interpretations. Iago is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Othello (c. 1601–1604). 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