Act 3, Scene 3 of Shakespeare’s Othello embodies a pivotal point in the play, as it is a transition act that grounds the foundation of Iago’s development as an antagonist and the play’s development as a tragedy. In fact, Othello is written by William Shakespeare in the early 17th century. In Act 3 Scene 3, Iago begins his insinuations of an affair between Cassio and Desdemona, which petition Othello to consider the likelihood of Desdemona’s infidelity and Cassio’s disloyalty. In this particular scene, Shakespeare makes meticulous use of linguistic and dramatic techniques to characterise Iago as an scheming, deceptive and hypocritical antagonist. As a scheming villain, Iago begins to ensnare Othello into his trap of vengeance by echoing in Othello’s mind prospect of an affair between Cassio and Desdemona. Iago begins his insinuations by reminding Othello that Cassio served as their go-between during their courtship through a rhetorical …show more content…
Iago’s powerfully disruptive insinuations torment Othello to fall precipitously into his intricate trap, believing in the prospect of Cassio and Desdemona’s fictitious affair. Through the use of linguistic techniques such as elliptical speech, subservient vocative choices and a hesitant tone, Iago is able to construct artful innuendoes to deceive and manipulate Othello. Supplementary to linguistic techniques, dramatic techniques such as dramatic irony reinforces Iago’s role as a two-faced villain, who is making a pretence of being Othello’s loyal ensign. Eventually, Iago’s villainy nature sows a seed of doubt in Othello that germinates into the murder of Desdemona. Through the characterisation of Iago as a notorious villain, Shakespeare is able to hold Iago’s actions accountable for the play’s tragic downfall, establishing a sense of powerlessness amongst the
The play introduces us to two characters Roderigo and Iago, which sets up the first external conflict of which Roderigo owes Iago money , “That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.” (Shakespeare, Act I) . Roderigo was referring to his payments to Iago in return Iago would get him his dream girl, Desdemona, which brings up another external conflict because Desdemona is married to the illustrious general Othello. Iago has some animosity towards Othello because Cassio got the job of lieutenant instead of himself. Iago instigates a fight between a drunken Cassio and Roderigo which results in Cassio being fired by Othello.
Iago tries to play with Othello 's mind, by suggesting that Desdemona was being unfaithful with Cassio; to which said that he trust Desdemona enough to know that 's a
When one considers the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Othello stands out as the main character, the tragic hero, and Iago as the antagonist. The idea that “Othello’s killing of Desdemona is not murder, but a sacrifice. He is to save Desdemona from herself, not in hate but in honour”(Bradley, 1905) is true to the reader as Desdemona can be seen as a sacrificial hero and Othello’s murder act is due to the manipulation placed on him by Iago. This manipulation leads to him killing her as for her to keep her honour. Othello’s friendship with Iago is flawed as well as the actions committed, these actions either instigate out of individual choices or manipulation.
They are faced with the thrill of new love, pain of deception, and sickly suspicion of greed. As Iago calculates his intricate betrayal and acts as the facilitator of tragedy, readers are struck with the horror of an act so easily prevented. Conversations repeatedly take place between characters that are unaware of the rising tension between them. Cassio speaks of business with Iago, Othello continues to confide in Iago, Emilia aids Iago, and Desdemona innocently loves Othello. During each one of these numerous altercations, there is utter peace on stage, yet every audience member must fight the urge to run to the characters and inform them of their impending doom.
The following passage is significant to the play ‘Othello’ in retrospect to the plot progression, as it reiterates themes and introduces important facets to the plot development. Through Iago’s cunning manipulation and Shakespeare’s crafting of language, this passage is constructed as a pivotal point of the play, marking the transition of Othello’s personality and revealing his deepest insecurities that eventually lead to his downfall and tragic ending. Iago wields a lot of power over all the characters throughout the play, but in this passage in particular he is presented at his most powerful. The passage is riddled with subtle suggestions and insinuations by Iago to raise Othello’s suspicions of his wife’s fidelity, opening with the admonition to “beware, my lord, of jealousy!
In the beginning of the novel, Shakespeare describes Iago as a mastermind of manipulating others. Iago holds a grudge and resentment towards the Moor, Othello, because another soldier, lieutenant Cassio, has been promoted
Iago contributes to the tragic downfall of Othello, playing him like a fiddle. The human nature of Iago manipulates the trust
Iago’s intentions unveil themselves not only through actions, but through his engagement with the audience. “Iago’s self-understanding is well-express when he explains to viewers his plan to put a plague in Othello’s ear that will cause him to misinterpret Desdemona’s advocacy to Cassio.” (The Art) In order to commence suspicion within Othello, Iago utilizes the elopement of Othello and Desdemona. “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see.
In the play, the author seemingly juxtaposes both Othello and his nemesis, Iago. However, upon closer inspection, Othello and Iago suffer from similar flaws. Iago, using his knowledge of his own flaws-- jealousy and vengeance--, exploits Othello’s need for reputation, ultimately ruining
Othello starts to believe Iago’s lies about his friends and wife, leading Othello to change his behavior towards his closest allies. Iago instigates a fight between Cassio and Montano, and Othello must take charge of his soldiers, he says: Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee But never more be officer of mine. (2.3.210-213) Othello makes the decision to fire Cassio, and things get worse when Iago makes his wife, Emilia, steal Desdemona 's handkerchief.
Iago so desperately wants Othello to become jealous, and he to start his envy and rage by creating lies of Desdemona being unfaithful. The chance comes when Iago see Cassio and Desdemona together. He makes comments of the two’s intentions, which actually causes Othello to wonder about what Cassio and Desdemona’s intentions actually are. When further questioned by Othello, Iago does not elaborate, which causes Othello to become even more suspicious. “Ha, I like that not” mumbles Cassio.
In William Shakespeare’s Othello the two main characters are Iago and Othello. The entire story centers around Iago 's plan to achieve revenge on Othello for not promoting him to lieutenant. Throughout the story Iago tries to convince Othello that his wife Desdemona has cheated on him with his lieutenant Cassio. Iago’s plan is successfully and easily executed. Othello is tricked into believing that desdemona has been unfaithful and in the end he kills her.
Iago also manipulates Othello with jealousy. When Othello is gone at war, Iago tells him that Cassio and Desdemona were getting too close. At first Othello does not believe him, but by Iago saying “nothing,my lord; or if- I know not what” Othello starts to question if it is true (III. III. 39). Iago constantly uses his “innocence” to make Othello jealous and start to assume that it is true. These actions eventually lead to a tragic event.
Kolin observes that Iago stands out among Shakespearean villains since he is the only one to survive his own monstrous acts (25). Unlike Richard III, apart from telling stories, Iago carries out a downright fraud through other means of manipulation, which makes him the most evil and intelligent character. To be exact, Iago is a puppeteer who sets up scenes to deceive the “credulous fools”—Othello, Cassio and Desdemona (4.1.45). Iago talks to Cassio about Bianca while telling Othello that the subject of their conversation is the Moor’s wife. He is so smart and careful that he even gestures Othello to come closer when Cassio is about to illustrate how Bianca entangles him.
In the play Othello, William Shakespeare creates an elaborate tragedy with various in depth characters, enhancing the story with powerful characterization. Iago, the main antagonist of Othello, exemplifies Shakespeare’s use of characterization to create in depth and complex characters. Using his manipulative nature, intellectual mind, egotistical attitude, and dishonesty, Iago controls the other characters in order to achieve his goal, leading Othello to succumb to an overwhelming jealousy causing his downfall. In order for Iago to gain control of the characters in the play, he manipulates Othello, Roderigo, Cassio, and more to believe false information and turn on one another.