Honest Iago ? “I am not what I am.” (1.1.65). Shakespeare makes it clear from the beginning of Othello that Iago is pretending to be something he is not. Iago has a reputation as an honest and noble soldier but he is far from a benevolent Ancient. There are many people that are in position to foil Iago’s plan for retribution but they are all fooled by his honest reputation. If Iago was not shrouded in a veil of honesty his revenge would not have been successful. The prestige Iago gained in the Venetian Army allowed him to dupe elites from Venice to Cyprus. Iago is aware of the protective honest appearance he created. Emilia is the wife of Iago but even she does not grasp the turpitude of her husband. One can often find themselves feeling sympathetic
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Iago is disrespectful to Emilia during the entirety of Othello and goes as far as murdering her in a cowardly manner. Iago appears honest and never gives Emilia a reason to suspect his dangerous intentions with the handkerchief. When Emilia discovers the napkin dropped by Desdemona she offers it her husband as a gift. Emilia says to Iago upon his arrival, “Do not you chide: I have a thing for you.” (3.3. 298). After a brief and gentle questioning by his wife Iago snatches the handkerchief and can put his plan in motion. If Iago gave Emilia a reason to suspect mischievous acts with the handkerchief the tragic ending of Othello could have been avoided. Emilia’s lack of suspicion regarding Iago’s intent with the handkerchief demonstrates how he has everyone fooled. Emilia still believes in Iago’s honesty after Othello attempts to justify the murder of …show more content…
Othello frequently exclaims his love for his Ancient and Iago makes his feelings of malice towards Othello apparent to the reader throughout the work. Iago’s honest appearance and reputation leads Othello to put too much trust in his Ancient. This trust is needed for Iago 's revenge and could not be achieved without the honest impression Iago leaves with people. Iago is able to make Othello question the honesty of Cassio without telling Othello a lie. “Indeed? Ay, indeed. Discern’st thou aught in that? / Is he not honest?” (3.3. 101-102). Othello puts so much trust in Iago that he will question the honesty of another person if Iago speaks of them in a peculiar tone. Iago’s revenge is put in motion when Othello starts to second guess his own judgement and trust Iago’s more. Othello prefers to trust the judgement of his honest friend. Iago’s honest appearance makes trusting him easy and his revenge even easier. In the same conversation Iago is able to give Othello reasons not to trust his pure and honest wife. “She did deceive her father, marrying you, / And when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks, / She loved them most.” (3.3. 204-206). Iago is suggesting to Othello that if Desdemona was able to betray her father she would also be capable of betraying her husband. Although, this statement does not fully convince Othello that Desdemona is a dishonest person it does plant an evil seed in Othello’s subconscious. Othello
Iago is disrespectful to Emilia during the entirety of Othello and goes as far as murdering her in a cowardly manner. Iago appears honest and never gives Emilia a reason to suspect his dangerous intentions with the handkerchief. When Emilia discovers the napkin dropped by Desdemona she offers it her husband as a gift. Emilia says to Iago upon his arrival, “Do not you chide: I have a thing for you.” (3.3. 298). After a brief and gentle questioning by his wife Iago snatches the handkerchief and can put his plan in motion. If Iago gave Emilia a reason to suspect mischievous acts with the handkerchief the tragic ending of Othello could have been avoided. Emilia’s lack of suspicion regarding Iago’s intent with the handkerchief demonstrates how he has everyone fooled. Emilia still believes in Iago’s honesty after Othello attempts to justify the murder of …show more content…
Othello frequently exclaims his love for his Ancient and Iago makes his feelings of malice towards Othello apparent to the reader throughout the work. Iago’s honest appearance and reputation leads Othello to put too much trust in his Ancient. This trust is needed for Iago 's revenge and could not be achieved without the honest impression Iago leaves with people. Iago is able to make Othello question the honesty of Cassio without telling Othello a lie. “Indeed? Ay, indeed. Discern’st thou aught in that? / Is he not honest?” (3.3. 101-102). Othello puts so much trust in Iago that he will question the honesty of another person if Iago speaks of them in a peculiar tone. Iago’s revenge is put in motion when Othello starts to second guess his own judgement and trust Iago’s more. Othello prefers to trust the judgement of his honest friend. Iago’s honest appearance makes trusting him easy and his revenge even easier. In the same conversation Iago is able to give Othello reasons not to trust his pure and honest wife. “She did deceive her father, marrying you, / And when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks, / She loved them most.” (3.3. 204-206). Iago is suggesting to Othello that if Desdemona was able to betray her father she would also be capable of betraying her husband. Although, this statement does not fully convince Othello that Desdemona is a dishonest person it does plant an evil seed in Othello’s subconscious. Othello