Iago In Othello

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Iago-a persona that is depicted in Shakespeare’s words as a rugged, honest, and loyal individual to others, but in reality, is an emotional, deceitful, and perfidious individual. Othello on the other hand, is assumed to be a leader-due to his high position as General-yet, he is susceptible to the words of others. Throughout the play, Shakespeare takes the perspectives of characters and portrays their true selves to the readers in order to show the irony that lurks. Iago attempts to lure Othello in his devious plan to bring Othello to his own downfall by leaving ideas for open interpretation in regards to the “affair” between Cassio-Othello’s lieutenant-and Desdemona-Othello’s newly wedded wife. Throughout the turning point of the Shakespearean …show more content…
Throughout the conversation between Iago and Othello, Iago ensures that Othello sees him as a loyal friend before he “discloses” his fears about Cassio. Throughout lines 102-318, Iago implies that he is a person of loyalty and is only there to support actions that Othello is willing to take out of open interpretation. Furthermore, during the entire scene, Iago leaves a baseline through his hesitation in fully answering Othello’s questions, and thus leaves a doubt in Othello’s mind in regards to his wife and her loyalty. Iago puts in phrases such as “…My lord, you know I love you” (3.3 line 134) in order to ensure that Othello does not see any evil intention in the conversation, but rather a friend expressing a general, vague concern. Furthermore, Iago uses states, “I dare be sworn” in line 145, in order to secure his statement and show his placidness while Othello fills up with jealousy. Apart from the placid nature, Iago continues the conversation by underestimating himself through the use of words such as “meaningless,” “weak,” and “imaginary” in lines 170-175 when describing his thoughts and beliefs about the “affair.” Shakespeare uses this as a way to illustrate how others’ actions can be of influence, as Iago’s fidgety nature when describing himself makes Othello question himself due to the uneasiness of his most trusted man. Thus, Shakespeare uses diction in order to create a

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