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." 294). 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. But Iago’s use of language is more complicated than this. Shakespeare’s Othello unfortunately remains a little too relevant for a modern audience. 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). Cassio takes his leave from Iago: "Good night, honest Iago. Twice in Othello Shakespeare uses song as a literary tool. It explores the tragedies and atrocities that exists in society, many aspects unfortunately still relevant… He is obviously a well educated and intelligent character which makes his manipulation that much more well-placed and influential. Iago’s language is Shakespeare’s tool in conveying all of these facets to the audience. In “Act 1 Scene 2” Shakespeare’s use of poetical linguistics limits Othello’s views on other characters “honest Iago”. It is full of colloquialisms and oaths, befitting a cynical soldier. William Empson, in “Honest in Othello”, states that “everybody calls Iago honest once or twice, but with Othello it becomes an obsession”. See if you can complete the grid and finish four points which explain what this speech reveals about the character at this point in the play. 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. 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. 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. 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. His plays have been performed for centuries through various interpretations. The idea of him playing a game is expressed in the words "I play the villain". This would be undra matic, as well as uncomplimentary to the intelligence of the au dience. Lesson Extensions For further evidence of Iago's successful persuasive techniques, one might also profitably examine Iago's interactions with Roderigo (see 1.3. The first such instance is when Iago sings to Cassio in his attempt to get Cassio drunk. But Iago’s use of language is more complicated than this. If one is so obviously honest, it is astonishing it need be repeated so often. He is obviously a well educated and intelligent character which makes his manipulation that much more well-placed and influential. 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. In essence, Iago appeals to Othello’s quick acting solider nature. We quickly notice that the villain slips between prose and verse, adapting his style to suit his different audiences and purposes. In addition to rousing the drinking spirit within Cassio, Iago’s song would incite and provoke Shakespeare’s Jacobean audience. Shakespeare uses a number of techniques to express the manipulaton of Iago in this scene. 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. 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). 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. Essay about Language and Literary Techniques in Othello 2832 Words | 12 Pages. The problem has haunted me somewhat as the knocking at the gate in Macbeth haunted De Quincey, and it challenges investigation. This is evident in his constant repetition of “honest” when talking to Emilia in the final scene. Iago and Roderigo wake Desdemona’s father, Brabanto, to tell him about the marriage. 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. Iago manipulates Othello throughout the course of act 3 beginning with the line “Men should be what they seem”. His is the longest part with 1,070 lines. It is full of compounds, colloquialisms and oaths, befitting a bluff soldier. Language is the source of Iago’s power too, but his characteristic idiom is very different. a means of emphasizing Iago's duplicity ? 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. Iago is a master of insinuation and deception, and he uses those skills to take advantage of other characters' weaknesses and insecurities. Iago is most honest (II.iii.7) Othello, unaware of Iago's evil plans, comments on his honesty. This is most ironic, of course, since Iago is the furthest thing from it. 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. - Iago, Act 1 Scene 1). Othello has now come to completely trust the deceitful Iago and distrust his honest wife. 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. Language is the source of Iago’s power, but his characteristic idiom is different from Othello’s. Iago describes the coupling in graphic, racially charged terms. This conflation of honesty with soldierly bluntness disadvantages Desdemona, who can never communicate her honesty in this manner. One of the main contrasts of language in Othello is “Act 1 Scene 2”. 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. The use of poetic technique in Iago's soliloquy reveals his motive, personality and the true 'light' behind the play based on deceit. Within one single scene, II.iii, Iago is four times called "honest", twice by Othello, once by Cassio, and once by himself. Moreover, Iago is not honest when he assures Cassio that the loss of reputation means so little. 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. Othello calls him ‘honest Iago’ as early as Act 1 Scene 3, and trusts him throughout the play. Iago is referred to as honest over fifty times in the play, by almost every character. The villain Iago from "Othello" is a central character, and understanding him is key to understanding Shakespeare's entire play. 297-364 ) and with Michael Cassio (see 2.3.239-302 ). 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. * Animals Iago and Othello Nobles in the play will often speak in iambic pentameter, making their In Othello, the antagonist Iago, plays that role. He certainly seems to take great pleasure in preventing Othello from enjoying marital happiness, and he expresses his love for Othello frequently and effusively. Iago persuades Roderigo to kill Cassio while Othello smothers Desdemona. Honest Iago of Othello To most of the world William Shakespeare is recognized as the greatest dramatist in history. 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. As Emilia continues to divulge Iago's actions he kills her and flees. The villain slips between prose and verse, adapting his style to suit his different audiences and purposes. Othello repeats it in his own mind, until there is no doubt. The techniques are used to affect the characters in a negative way in favor of the villain. Therefore it also makes Othello not suspect Iago of any dishonest behaviour. Shakespeare uses irony continuously throughout the play when it comes to Iago. In an essay, discuss why honesty-or the reputation for being honest or the lack of honesty-is so important in Shakespeare's Othello. ‘ 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’. Iago’s honest … Iago’s character is consumed with hatred and envy. Iago (/ i ˈ ɑː ɡ oʊ /) is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Othello (c. 1601–1604). There is dramatic irony, parody and use of figurative language (the imagery). Iago has to do little to make Othello believe him. Iago’s murder of Emilia could also stem from the general hatred of women that he displays. Iago is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Othello (c. 1601–1604). (II.iii.26). 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. Did he regard it as a fundamental structural element of the play ? 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. Shakespeare employs a variety of language, dramatic and theatrical techniques in shaping my understanding of the rather enigmatic yet definitely Machiavellian, character of Iago. Iago deceives Othello, who trusts him the most throughout the story, often referring to Iago as “honest Iago” (I. i. 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" - Shakespeare's vast knowledge, and writing style made his works interesting for both the intellectual, and the illiterate. 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