Dramatic and Linguistic Devices in William Shakespeare's Othello

Dramatic and Linguistic Devices in William Shakespeare's Othello

Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’, in my opinion is one of his most cleverly

written plays. It is a tragedy, similar in a way to the likes of the

famous Romeo and Juliet, as there is a definite romance in the play,

which quickly turns sour, due to lack of trust and jealousy, or as

some might think, the tragedy is all down to manipulation and deceit.

The play deals with many controversial issues such as racism which

makes it unique.

In Act III Scene 3 Iago convinces a man who loves his wife completely

that she is having an affair with one of his most trusted subjects

without using one shred of proof or any real basis. This is a man who

can make the most innocent of people guilty and the most loved, hated.

He uses many tactics to persuade Othello that Desdemona is cheating on

him with Cassio, the reason, is revenge. Scene 3 is the most important

scene to the rest of the play because it accelerates the plot.

Othello is a black man in the play, of extremely high authority; he is

a proud army general who is looked upon with respect by the state and

many leading Dukes. He first comes across to the audience as being

very composed and a gentle character towards others. However in Act

III Scene 3, Othello’s character takes a dramatic transformation, from

a loving, considerate man, to a man complete with hatred and full of

energy for revenge.

Our first impressions of Iago are that he is a very sly and cunning

man. However in Act III Scene 3 we see the true extent of his evil

nature and his manipulating skills. Iago is motivated by jealousy.

Iago expresses anger and remorse that t...

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..., the woman he loved he now criticize.

However the most effective method that Iago uses to convince Othello

of Desdemona's infidelity is by using one of Othello's most treasured

possessions and telling Othello that his wife, Desdemona has given it

away to her lover, Cassio. The handkerchief was the first gift he gave

to Desdemona, so it possesses enormous sentimental value to Othello.

Finding out that Desdemona has given it away shows her as inimical. It

must have hurt and angered him, after all the woman he loves and is

married to has given away without a care for him, would almost

certainly anger him, for in Othello's mind she has thought the

handkerchief to be a meaningless piece of cloth. This is enough proof

for Othello to be convinced that Iago is telling the truth and for him

to kill both Desdemona and Cassio.