Othello and Iago's Relationship

Othello and Iago's Relationship

The most striking and relevant tone behind this extract, is the irony

between the two men, whereby there roles are reversed in the audiences

eyes. This is shown with Othello being the General, hence superior to

Iago, but in social and mental terms Iago is taking control, using his

intelligence and deceitful malice, to manipulate and destroy the

strong Othello, first seen at the beginning of the play.

However there is more to this irony, in terms of dramatic irony, seen

throughout the whole extract. Where Othello, in effort to find the

start of the conflict between the two men, approaches Iago saying, '

'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began't,' so the audience is now left with a

huge knowledge over Othello, about the real motives of Iago, and the

very fact that they can't share it with Othello, and the way he first

turns to Iago for his version, is the torment known as the dramatic

irony.

Iago goes out to use many manipulative angles when concentrating on

Othello. The first of which, shows how observant and how well he knows

Othello, achieving this by sneaking in after his report of the scene,

'But men are men; the best sometimes forget,' this is a little comment

in effort to illustrate his concern for Cassio's situation, hence

mirroring his honesty to a man of superior rank. However he has no

problem of this backfiring, and destroying his plan, as he is under no

perception that Othello will show mercy on Cassio, and his position as

lieutenant. This is also backed up in Othello's opening judgment where

he claims, 'Though he had twinned with me, both at birth shall lose

me.' Which interestingly has a link in type of speech used, to that of

the Duke's stand of action, towards the man that took Brabanitio's

daughter, in Act 1 scene 3, 'Wheo'er he be that in this foul

proceeding hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself.