Preview

Othello Language

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
441 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Othello Language
In Shakespeare’s Othello there is an immediate contrast between Iago and Othello’s language. In “Act1 scene 1” Iago’s first speech to Roderigo is of a revengeful nature and evil tone. “Despise me if I do not. Three great ones of the city (In personal suit to make me his lieutenant).” Iago is infuriated with Othello’s neglect of him, Shakespeare creates this foreshadow of a tragic outcome early on, but he misleads the audience into thinking that Iago’s language is justified. Furthering Iago’s support from the Elizabethans is that Othello is seen as an outsider. In Aristotle theory of poetics one of the main themes of tragedy are the aspect of awe and pity, and that the protagonist is not introduced straight away. The audience automatically feels pity for poor Iago, as he has to beg Roderigo for money and has been deprived a promotion and because Othello is not primarily introduced he has no way of proving his justification for appointing Cassio. This in the eyes of the Elizabethans makes Othello the antagonist.
In “Act 1 scene 1”. Othello's mind is poetic but simple, he is not observant. His nature tends outward. He is quite free from self examination, and is not given to reflection. Emotion gives him his imagination, but it confuses and dulls his intellect. In “Act 1 Scene 2” Shakespeare’s use of poetical linguistics limits Othello’s views on other characters “honest Iago”. One of the main contrasts of language in Othello is “Act 1 Scene 2”. This is when the audience became aware of Iago’s duplicitous nature, at the beginning of the play he speaks of his resentment filled hate “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. But he (as loving his own pride and purposes)” but he warns Othello of Brabantio’s “bad intentions”. Shakespeare showed the transformation in Iago’s language when he was interacting with other characters. This presented the audiences growing distrust. However articulate Othello is commanding, but arrogant “Keep up your bright swords for the dew

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Othello and Related

    • 1507 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The first Act of the play takes place in Venice. This is where we see Othello at his most innocent and care free, having just married the love of his life and have not fallen into the trap that cunning Iago plans to weave. Othello is a black African prince living in a European, colour prejudiced society. Even in Venice, where Othello holds high rank in the Venetian military, differences such as the contrast in the way he speaks to the other Venetians and especially his colour difference affect Othello and start to plant the seed of insecurity and doubt in his mind, which Iago develops into a full blown jealousy. Having come from another country Othello doesn’t speak like the rest out the characters “Rude am I in my speech”, with this referring not to the harsh language he later develops from Iago, but from the changes in his tone and use of words compared to that of the Venetians. As…

    • 1507 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the play Othello Iago, the antagonist, causes most of the plot movement through his cruelty. The play opens with Roderigo and Iago conversing in the street. Here we see the first of Iago’s many acts of cruelty, as he manipulates Roderigo into doing his bidding. Iago is hell-bent on revenge with Othello passing him up on the title of lieutenant and handing the title to Cassio, a man “that never set a squadron in the field.” He plots the destruction of the Moor and manipulates Roderigo into helping him with the promise his love of Desdemona, Othello’s wife. Through his serpent tongue, Iago is able to drive the plot by steering other characters towards feelings of jealousy, rage, and the like, causing them to act in a certain way that they…

    • 754 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    From the onset of Othello, the audience is unknowingly subject to Iago’s manipulative customs. Despite being a stereotypical Shakespearian antagonist, Iago is a complex, two faced, yet three dimensional, character. Despite being an eponymous play, suggesting Othello’s importance, his absence in light of Iago’s presence allows the audience to be influenced and therefore misled by Iago’s representation of Othello…

    • 1063 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In 1603, William Shakespeare wrote a tragedy called Othello about a Spanish moor that ultimately fell victim to his own skepticism and emotions and murders his wife due to the machinations of his ancient, Iago. Iago is the most interesting character in this Shakespearean play and in fact, has more speaking parts than even Othello himself. A man that can even convince his own wife to help with his masterfully manipulated puppetry of Othello, Desdemona, Roderigo, Cassio, and Emilia is an exquisite character. This villain seemed to have no real motive for his actions, but the enjoyment of the trouble he caused and the fact that Othello passed him over for his lieutenant. Although, Iago seems to quite, passionately want Othello’s affections, whether…

    • 1559 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Othello: The Tragic Hero

    • 1587 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Othello demonstrates the difficulty in being certain of what we perceive, by observing the actions of others or by introspection. By placing importance of the traits such as trust and honesty, Othello is blinded by Iago’s manipulation of reality. The ease with which Iago manipulates Othello’s perception of reality is accentuated through the use of dramatic irony in “My lord you know I love you.” The use of dramatic irony emphasises that Iago’s appearance as a loving, loyal servant to Othello is nowhere near the reality of his Machiavellian nature. Iago’s blatant abuse of Othello’s values is also illustrated in A3S3 through Iago’s declarative statement “Men should be what they seem, or those that be not, would they might seem none.” The internal rhyme in this statement places emphasis on the juxtaposition of appearance (seem) and reality…

    • 1587 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello

    • 1136 Words
    • 3 Pages

    A thorough analysis of the play Othello tends to reveal that the focus of the play is actually about Othello’s flaws and weaknesses rather than Iago’s villainy. This conclusion has been reached due to the fact that many elements of drama as well as a characteristic of Shakespearean tragedy are centered on Othello and his imperfections. In essence, the conflict and thematic concerns which Shakespeare addresses, surround Othello’s flaws, whereas his downfall as the protagonist fulfills the requirements of a Shakespearean tragedy. Despite this, Iago has undoubtedly contributed to the play with his masterful manipulation as a Machiavellian villain. In solidifying this theory, four key factors must be examined; the first three points address the fact that Othello’s flaws and weaknesses are the focus of the play through his involvement in the dramatic elements of the play. They are: his involvement in the major conflict, his involvement in the main theme and Othello having a tragic flaw. On the other hand, the final point is Iago as the foundation for the conflict.…

    • 1136 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Foils in Othello

    • 1326 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Iago, the play’s antagonist, hated Othello and although the two characters were similar at the end of the play, they were complete opposites at the beginning. Iago is a very sneaky character that steps on and manipulates other people to get what he wants. This is different than Othello because as far as the audience…

    • 1326 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello as an Outsider

    • 1075 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In Shakespeare’s play “Othello” the character Othello is presented as an outsider to the events that are taking place amongst the other characters. He was excluded from what the truth holds and this caused his downfall, along with his jealous nature and stubbornness. To make things worse Iago’s cunning plans captures Othello into a downward spiral to his defeat. The sense of irony involved is regarded as a highly important technique that is repeated through out the play. As a stubborn and decisive man he was unable to discern from evil and good. His extreme jealous nature is a significant character trait in which plays a large roll in Othello’s actions.…

    • 1075 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Diction In Othello

    • 504 Words
    • 3 Pages

    As time progresses, in the play Othello, the main character begins to feel the affects of being different and he starts to conform to outsiders terrible views of him. Othello’s attitude towards himself started with him being confident in himself and the thought that being a general would be enough to judge his character. Othello’s changing diction is an indication of Othello’s poorly developing attitude towards himself. As the accusations against Othello begin, he remained calm and composed.…

    • 504 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Othello: Iago the Outsider

    • 1810 Words
    • 8 Pages

    In any story with a recurring dark theme there always must be an outsider from humanity who somehow stands out from the seemingly equal community. In the case of Shakespeare's Othello the outsider from humanity would be Iago for he truly stands out from the rest of society. Although Othello may be physically put out of the community, it seems that on an emotional and egotistical level Iago puts himself out of society further then Othello's blackness does. He is not merely manipulative, as other villains are; he turns aspects of truth and good qualities, which he does not possess, and uses them as weakness for his own scheme. He deceives people to follow his plans by telling them the truth and what seems to be good advice. By standing on the side and watching people he seems to learn more about them then they even know themselves. He seems to envy these people and the relationships that they possess, because…

    • 1810 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Shakespeare makes it quite clear to his audience at the beginning of the play that Iago plays the character of the common criminal, from his opening speech with Roderigo on Iago owing money to Roderigo. When Iago caries out his soliloquy we find out his philosophies on life and as an audience we become aware that he is a very clever and formulated villain this idea is not at all strange for Shakespearian play. In Othello Shakespeare presents Iago in this clever way as it would take a very scheming villain to go up against such a significant hero. We are aware of this hero being so unique as he is the title of the book, to use such an insipid villain this would create a great imbalanced.…

    • 1130 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This scene is the most important within Shakespeare’s “Othello,” as it Iago’s plan finally becomes fully known, and the effect that it has upon Othello himself begins to suggest that he is not the “noble savage,” that has been thus far portrayed. Language is used to both hint at further developments within the plot and also to expand upon characters’ personalities. This essay shall examine in turn how both of these aspects are conveyed through the use of language.…

    • 1507 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello Good Vs Evil

    • 933 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the characters’ personalities and motivations influence the plot heavily. Iago is driven by his jealousy of Cassio and his desire to exact revenge on Othello. Othello’s trusting nature leads to his undoing in the play. Iago takes advantage of how he’s seen in the eyes of those around him to carry out his plans. Although Othello is the protagonist of the play and Iago is the antagonist, the two characters are not the ultimate portrayals of good and evil. Othello is not a war between good and evil, but instead a demonstration on how destructive jealousy and gullibleness can be.…

    • 933 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    reality takes place in the first scene of the play where Iago plots to get revenge when Othello skipped him over for Cassio as his lieutenant instead: “I follow him to serve my turn upon him. We cannot all be masters, nor all masters /Cannot be truly followed” (1.1.39-41). Othello considered Iago as an ally of him. With this monologue, Iago appears that he is loyal and very supportive of whatever action Othello does so it would give Othello the impression that if Othello needs a hand, he can always go to Iago for assistance. However, Iago shows his true intentions later in the monologue where he states “I am not who I am …Call up her father, Rouse him, make after him, poison his delight” which signifies he is actually secretly planning to take revenge on Othello. This shows not only that Iago would be the antagonist but also hints that he has a plan get Othello back for this. This shows the difference between what Iago is pretending to be and what he actually is perceived…

    • 1440 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago is one of the most interesting characters in Othello. He is full of jealousy, greed, selfishness, and hatred. At first, it seems Iago is only jealous of Othello because he has chosen Cassio for lieutenant instead of Iago. When it is revealed Iago is developing a plot in order to take down Othello, a shift in Iago’s character is seen. He is not only jealous, but he acts on his jealousy, making him appear crueler than when first introduced. As Iago explains, “The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by th' nose as asses are. I have ’t. It is engendered! Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light” (I.iii.336-341). Iago notices Othello’s character and acts on his weaknesses, showing both his cruelty and intelligence. Iago deceives Othello, who trusts him the most throughout the story, often referring to Iago as “honest Iago” (I.iii.294). Shakespeare uses irony continuously throughout the play when it comes to Iago. One of the most ironic parts of the play is the fact Othello puts great trust into Iago, who lies…

    • 793 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics