iago essay

An expert at crafting the characters of his plays to be well-spoken, Shakespeare understands the power and impact of words. In Othello, Iago’s deceitful character is showcased through his skillful, manipulative language, particularly in his interactions with other characters to wreak havoc upon Othello. Using diction, imagery and metaphor, and the three rhetorical appeals, Iago is able to fool Brabantio, Othello, and Roderigo, respectively, despite the epithet, “Honest Iago,” that he is given, all to reach the fulfillment of his vengeance towards Othello and destroy him.

The play begins by exposing the reader to Iago’s evil intentions and plans to ruin Othello’s reputation. Act 1 introduces the reader to this aspect of Iago as he informs Brabantio of Othello and Desdemona’s elopement, through his use of diction to appeal to pathos, “ sir, you’re robbed.[. . . .]/Your heart is burst. You have lost half your soul./Even now, now, very now, an old black ram/Is tupping your white ewe” (1.1.94-98). Iago’s constant use of the possessive word, “your,” personalizes the situation, which immediately appeals to Brabantio’s emotions of apprehension towards his possessions such as his “heart,” “soul,” and “white ewe.” The repetition of the word “now,” consecutively, emphasizes urgency, persistence, and insistence to convince Brabantio that the situation is worse than it actually is and to force him to act immediately. Moreover, Iago chooses to describe the situation with words carrying embedded negative connotations such as, “robbed,” “burst,” “lost,” “black ram,” and “tupping.” These words formulate an image that portrays disgust and detestation by depicting Othello as a thief and rough animal, especially in the metaphor of the b...

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...nts Roderigo, appealing to and boosting Roderigo’s self-esteem, making him feel like he possesses “purpose, courage, and valor.” Iago appears to respect that Roderigo is suspicious but turns his anger around to help Iago sabotage Othello and his life, showcasing Iago’s manipulative abilities.

Iago’s disturbing diction, animalistic imagery, and appreciation of rhetorical appeals all contribute to his diabolical, yet brilliant, stratagem to satisfy his despicable desire for revenge towards Othello. All this resulted in Desdemona’s unjust murder, the stripping of Iago’s epithet that resembled the power and trustworthiness he was assumed to have, and Othello’s tragic suicide. The extreme confidence towards one person from another leads to unintentional blindness and deafness that covers true and possibly deceptive deeds or words that tragically ruins the friendship.