How Does Iago Use Language In Act 1
Act 1 of 'Othello' is all based around one evening's events in Venice. It is very fast paced, where many things happen in a short time span. The opening of the Act is an argument with Iago and Roderigo, in which the audience first see Iago's character emerging.
In the opening scene, Iago displays his crude characteristics and language. Perhaps his most revealing declaration at this point is his proud boast `I am not what I am'. Though Roderigo is evidently meant to take this as reassurance that Iago only feigns allegiance to Othello for his own ends, the deeper implications of Iago's words are soon to become apparent to the audience, for Iago uses Roderego's lust for Desdemona, and money, to his own advantages throughout the play.
As Iago's behaviour changes, so does his language. When alone on stage he uses powerful, complex sentences, yet crude, animalistic language that demonstrate his complex hatred and powerful mind. In contrast, when speaking to Othello face-to-face he changes his speech to a more formal, professional tone so Othello continues to trust and rely on him.
At the beginning of the play, Shakespeare uses language …show more content…
Iago then introduces the word "lie" into the conversation, which sends Othello into a frenzy as he attempts to sort out the differences between Cassio "lying on" ( lying about) Desdemona and "lying with" her. The various words and images Iago has planted in Othello's mind over the course of the play are transformed into impressionistic, sporadic eruptions from Othello: "Lie with her? 'Swounds, that's fulsome! Handkerchiefconfessionshandkerchief" ,"Pish! Noses, ears, and lips!" It appears that this information is making no sense in Othello's mind, and ultimately, Othello's inability to articulate seems to overcome him physically, as he
In the opening scene, Iago displays his crude characteristics and language. Perhaps his most revealing declaration at this point is his proud boast `I am not what I am'. Though Roderigo is evidently meant to take this as reassurance that Iago only feigns allegiance to Othello for his own ends, the deeper implications of Iago's words are soon to become apparent to the audience, for Iago uses Roderego's lust for Desdemona, and money, to his own advantages throughout the play.
As Iago's behaviour changes, so does his language. When alone on stage he uses powerful, complex sentences, yet crude, animalistic language that demonstrate his complex hatred and powerful mind. In contrast, when speaking to Othello face-to-face he changes his speech to a more formal, professional tone so Othello continues to trust and rely on him.
At the beginning of the play, Shakespeare uses language …show more content…
Iago then introduces the word "lie" into the conversation, which sends Othello into a frenzy as he attempts to sort out the differences between Cassio "lying on" ( lying about) Desdemona and "lying with" her. The various words and images Iago has planted in Othello's mind over the course of the play are transformed into impressionistic, sporadic eruptions from Othello: "Lie with her? 'Swounds, that's fulsome! Handkerchiefconfessionshandkerchief" ,"Pish! Noses, ears, and lips!" It appears that this information is making no sense in Othello's mind, and ultimately, Othello's inability to articulate seems to overcome him physically, as he