In Act 2 Scene 3 of William Shakespeare’s play Othello, we hear a soliloquy of Iago. Soliloquies are essential in a play as it is the only time the actor is able to explain their thought process to the audience. In typical soliloquies, the character is not acting for someone else. The character, in essence, is able to portray his/her true self. Through Iago’s soliloquy, the audience is able to hear his malicious intentions. The audience is introduced to his evil mind though his appalling tone, diction, and figurative language. Iago also depicts as an incredibly intelligence man who is able to use one’s strengths to drive one down. The most magnificent part of Iago’s plan is how he fools other characters into thinking he completely innocent.
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His first sentence starts with a rhetorical question: “And what’s he, then, that says I play the villain, / When this advice is free I give and honest?” (2.3.356-357) He immediately addresses how the malicious plan on Othello is only in order to help Cassio reacquire his luteninship. In other words, Iago does not feel a single bit of guilt nor empathy in committing evil actions. In fact, rather than thinking of himself as a villain, he is stating his quality of heroism. This is only the first symptom of his psychopathic behavior. Later on through his colossal speech, Iago’s word choice intensifies. In around the middle of the soliloquy, Iago shouts, “Divinity of Hell!” (2.3.370) This paradox of Hell being divine suggests Iago’s hell-like actions as holy and good. After that he compares himself to a devil: “When devils will the blackest sins put on / They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, / As I do now” (2.3.371-373) Most common people would try to deny their evil intentions, while Iago is almost proud of having such mischievous thoughts. The tone of the words “blackest sins” emphasizes how evil his plans are. When Iago states his final plan to bring down Othello, he states: “I’ll pour this pestilence in his ear” (2.3.376) Pouring toxic poison into one’s ear is an extremely disturbing image. The picture Iago brings into context only brings more attention to his psychological mystery. The …show more content…
Earlier in the novel, we learn that Othello gave Michael Cassio the leuteniship instead of giving it to Iago. However, is one promotion really the reason why he wants to drive Othello into doom? In Iago’s soliloquy in Act 1, he does mention how he hated Othello, but he never made a clear justification for his statement. In fact, Iago says. “I hate the Moor, / And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets / ‘Has done my office” (1.3.429-431). If paraphrased, Iago is saying that he hates Othello and he thinks Othello slept with his wife. It is a definite reason for Iago to hate Othello if he affair with Iago’s wife. On the other hand, for Iago, the fact that Othello slept with his wife is just another addition for is hatred on Othello. From this, we are able to learn how Iago does not really have a reason to dislike Othello. It only seems as if he attempting to create reasons to hate Othello; he is feeding his obsession. The fact that Iago’s does not really have a reason to take down Othello highlights Iago’s personality of naturally wanting to commit evil
His first sentence starts with a rhetorical question: “And what’s he, then, that says I play the villain, / When this advice is free I give and honest?” (2.3.356-357) He immediately addresses how the malicious plan on Othello is only in order to help Cassio reacquire his luteninship. In other words, Iago does not feel a single bit of guilt nor empathy in committing evil actions. In fact, rather than thinking of himself as a villain, he is stating his quality of heroism. This is only the first symptom of his psychopathic behavior. Later on through his colossal speech, Iago’s word choice intensifies. In around the middle of the soliloquy, Iago shouts, “Divinity of Hell!” (2.3.370) This paradox of Hell being divine suggests Iago’s hell-like actions as holy and good. After that he compares himself to a devil: “When devils will the blackest sins put on / They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, / As I do now” (2.3.371-373) Most common people would try to deny their evil intentions, while Iago is almost proud of having such mischievous thoughts. The tone of the words “blackest sins” emphasizes how evil his plans are. When Iago states his final plan to bring down Othello, he states: “I’ll pour this pestilence in his ear” (2.3.376) Pouring toxic poison into one’s ear is an extremely disturbing image. The picture Iago brings into context only brings more attention to his psychological mystery. The …show more content…
Earlier in the novel, we learn that Othello gave Michael Cassio the leuteniship instead of giving it to Iago. However, is one promotion really the reason why he wants to drive Othello into doom? In Iago’s soliloquy in Act 1, he does mention how he hated Othello, but he never made a clear justification for his statement. In fact, Iago says. “I hate the Moor, / And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets / ‘Has done my office” (1.3.429-431). If paraphrased, Iago is saying that he hates Othello and he thinks Othello slept with his wife. It is a definite reason for Iago to hate Othello if he affair with Iago’s wife. On the other hand, for Iago, the fact that Othello slept with his wife is just another addition for is hatred on Othello. From this, we are able to learn how Iago does not really have a reason to dislike Othello. It only seems as if he attempting to create reasons to hate Othello; he is feeding his obsession. The fact that Iago’s does not really have a reason to take down Othello highlights Iago’s personality of naturally wanting to commit evil