Ambiguity In Othello

In Shakespeare’s play, Othello, the character Iago engages in a tactical game of chess, where he manipulates the characters like pawns and uses them to obtain his selfish aspirations. Iago exploits Cassio’s inability to hold alcohol and ruins his reputation, persuades Othello to murder his beautiful and beloved wife, and convinces the ignorant Roderigo to attempt to kill Cassio – all with his persuasive, yet deceitful diction. Iago’s duplicity results in the death of four characters, including the once highly-praised Venetian officer, Othello. Iago spares none in his nefarious game of chess. In Othello, by William Shakespeare, the conniving character Iago implements ambiguity, superficial adornment and loyalty, and fictitious imagery to corrupt Othello’s mind and turn his heart stone.
Iago’s ambiguity not only intensifies Othello’s curiosity, but it establishes vague and confusing feelings. This constructs the perfect opportunity for Iago to clear the confusion with his fictional stories of Cassio and Desdemona’s love affair. Creating obscurity and curiosity within Othello, Iago mutters “Ha! I like not that,” and when Othello questions what he means by this phrase, Iago simply responds with “Nothing, my lord. Or if - I know not what” (3.3.35-37). Iago refuses to respond to Othello’s questions, which only causes Othello to appear more curious and ask more questions as to why Iago shows such reluctance to answer. Iago proves his skills of manipulation as he also utilizes his ambiguous phrases to fabricate the appearance that he withholds his thoughts out of love for Othello. Iago aims at increasing his ethos among Othello so that when the time comes for him to reveal the false affair between Cassio and Desdemona, Othello will trust Iago’s accusations and play right into the hands of his master