Love is a strong theme amongst many others found throughout the play Othello, written by William Shakespeare. In the lines 223-247 of Act 2 scene 1, love becomes a very prominent topic as Iago, the main antagonist, coerces Roderigo into helping him fire Michael Cassio. Iago’s innate ability to manipulate shines through particularly in this speech. While playing Roderigo, Iago gives a long speech about Desdemona and Othello’s love that has inevitably crumbled because of Othello not being able to meet Desdemona’s expectations and how she has already started to warm up to Cassio. After hearing that Desdemona has started to become affectionate towards Cassio, Roderigo agrees in assisting Iago so his chances of winning Desdemona’s heart over become
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In lines 230, 231, and 233, Iago uses the phrases: satiety, fresh appetite and, begin to heave the gorge. The usage of these phrases illustrate a starving desire and leave connotations that Iago believes love is simply a human urge based on an internal hunger. Additionally, Iago expresses in lines 224-227, “Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies. To love him for prating? Let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed, and what delight will she have to look upon the devil?” Through this line it insinuates that Iago assumes Desdemona has only fallen for Othello by him feeding her false stories and constantly bragging. To Iago, love is primarily a sexual desire, and since Othello isn't appealing, Desdemona’s endearment that she holds towards him becomes expendable. When describing Othello’s physical appearance Iago paints an idea that he is almost repulsive or brutish and blatantly describes him with terms such as ‘devil’ and ‘defective’ making it indisputable that Iago finds Othello to be unattractive. Even going as far as saying in line 231-234, that Desdemona will eventually become so sick of Othello that he will make her want to vomit. While when embellishing on Cassio’s appearance he characterizes him as being ‘young’ and ‘handsome’. In lines 245-246, Iago even refers to him as, ‘someone who has all the qualities that naive and silly girls go for’. However, when Iago is voicing his opinion on Cassio in general he uses the word knave multiple times, meaning Iago considers him to be a deceitful and immoral individual. Iago also has the notion that Cassio might have even had relations with Emilia. Which happens to be a part of the reason why he wants to have his revenge on Cassio, though it is not the primary cause of his motives. However
In lines 230, 231, and 233, Iago uses the phrases: satiety, fresh appetite and, begin to heave the gorge. The usage of these phrases illustrate a starving desire and leave connotations that Iago believes love is simply a human urge based on an internal hunger. Additionally, Iago expresses in lines 224-227, “Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies. To love him for prating? Let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed, and what delight will she have to look upon the devil?” Through this line it insinuates that Iago assumes Desdemona has only fallen for Othello by him feeding her false stories and constantly bragging. To Iago, love is primarily a sexual desire, and since Othello isn't appealing, Desdemona’s endearment that she holds towards him becomes expendable. When describing Othello’s physical appearance Iago paints an idea that he is almost repulsive or brutish and blatantly describes him with terms such as ‘devil’ and ‘defective’ making it indisputable that Iago finds Othello to be unattractive. Even going as far as saying in line 231-234, that Desdemona will eventually become so sick of Othello that he will make her want to vomit. While when embellishing on Cassio’s appearance he characterizes him as being ‘young’ and ‘handsome’. In lines 245-246, Iago even refers to him as, ‘someone who has all the qualities that naive and silly girls go for’. However, when Iago is voicing his opinion on Cassio in general he uses the word knave multiple times, meaning Iago considers him to be a deceitful and immoral individual. Iago also has the notion that Cassio might have even had relations with Emilia. Which happens to be a part of the reason why he wants to have his revenge on Cassio, though it is not the primary cause of his motives. However