Iago is described as “a puppeteer of the psyche, he pulls the strings of those who should know better with a battery of verbal weapons” (edsitement.neh.gov). Said to be the most cunning and persuasive villain of any Shakespeare composition, Iago, the antagonist of Othello, verbally manipulates the characters of the show to benefit himself in an almost seamless manner with his convincing rhetoric. Like a puppeteer and his marionettes, Iago deploys rhetorical devices and strategies that include vivid bestial imagery, meaningful pauses, and reverse psychology to manipulate the characters and their actions.
Iago captivates the characters in the story with his sly rhetorical style. Throughout the play, the others trust him and unconsciously bend …show more content…
That the seemingly “honest” Iago is actually a malicious villain whose terrible evil is in that he cannot be seen for what he really is, for only during his soliloquies does he show his true self.
Another tool, employed by Iago, is his use of reverse psychology. When Othello expresses concern about Cassio speaking to Desdemona, Iago’s friendly wording belies the intended effect of his words on Othello, “Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it / That he would steal away so guilty-like / Seeing you coming” (Act 3 Scene 3). The middle line implies that Cassio is acting guiltily, and instilling doubt in Othello, while subtly praising Cassio, to maintain his honest and loyal fake persona.
He repeatedly distances himself from his own words. He wants to continue being thought of by the others as honest and loyal, but at the same time he imbues his words with just enough falsehoods and manipulation to sway his listener to draw the conclusion that Iago wants. When Iago is trying to cast doubt on Desdemona he tells Othello enough truth to hide the lies and then walks his words back, “I am to pray you not to strain my speech / To grosser issues nor to larger reach / Than to suspicion” (Act 3 Scene 3). Iago suggests Othello not take his words more seriously than they ought to be taken, but this seemingly humble demeanor leads Othello to do the opposite, believe the …show more content…
Iago then forces Othello to argue for the truthfulness of the lie by declaring “Nay, this was but his dream” (Act 3 Scene 3). To which Othello responds, “But this denoted a forgone conclusion” (Act 3 Scene 3). Iago’s urging Othello to remain calm and patient only fuels the rage Othello feels and that rage is what Iago needs to lead Othello to believe the rumors he is being surreptitiously fed by Iago. Ironically, Othello is so manipulated by Iago that even at the end he does not see how Iago’s words throughout the play have affect him and the outcome of the show, when he tells Iago “It is not words that shakes me thus” (Act 4 Scene 1). Iago’s talented tongue is the undoing of all the characters in the play. “Iago is so talented at lying and manipulation that he has the ability to convince even himself that he has the most reasonable of motives to ruin Othello” (edsitement.neh.gov). Iago’s usage of rhetoric is more persuasive than most villains in Shakespeare’s plays. His deliberate tactics and careful planning helps him almost accomplish total manipulation. Iago’s last words were, “I am not what I am" (Act 1 Scene 1). Iago is deceiving, and the deception lies in his
Iago captivates the characters in the story with his sly rhetorical style. Throughout the play, the others trust him and unconsciously bend …show more content…
That the seemingly “honest” Iago is actually a malicious villain whose terrible evil is in that he cannot be seen for what he really is, for only during his soliloquies does he show his true self.
Another tool, employed by Iago, is his use of reverse psychology. When Othello expresses concern about Cassio speaking to Desdemona, Iago’s friendly wording belies the intended effect of his words on Othello, “Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it / That he would steal away so guilty-like / Seeing you coming” (Act 3 Scene 3). The middle line implies that Cassio is acting guiltily, and instilling doubt in Othello, while subtly praising Cassio, to maintain his honest and loyal fake persona.
He repeatedly distances himself from his own words. He wants to continue being thought of by the others as honest and loyal, but at the same time he imbues his words with just enough falsehoods and manipulation to sway his listener to draw the conclusion that Iago wants. When Iago is trying to cast doubt on Desdemona he tells Othello enough truth to hide the lies and then walks his words back, “I am to pray you not to strain my speech / To grosser issues nor to larger reach / Than to suspicion” (Act 3 Scene 3). Iago suggests Othello not take his words more seriously than they ought to be taken, but this seemingly humble demeanor leads Othello to do the opposite, believe the …show more content…
Iago then forces Othello to argue for the truthfulness of the lie by declaring “Nay, this was but his dream” (Act 3 Scene 3). To which Othello responds, “But this denoted a forgone conclusion” (Act 3 Scene 3). Iago’s urging Othello to remain calm and patient only fuels the rage Othello feels and that rage is what Iago needs to lead Othello to believe the rumors he is being surreptitiously fed by Iago. Ironically, Othello is so manipulated by Iago that even at the end he does not see how Iago’s words throughout the play have affect him and the outcome of the show, when he tells Iago “It is not words that shakes me thus” (Act 4 Scene 1). Iago’s talented tongue is the undoing of all the characters in the play. “Iago is so talented at lying and manipulation that he has the ability to convince even himself that he has the most reasonable of motives to ruin Othello” (edsitement.neh.gov). Iago’s usage of rhetoric is more persuasive than most villains in Shakespeare’s plays. His deliberate tactics and careful planning helps him almost accomplish total manipulation. Iago’s last words were, “I am not what I am" (Act 1 Scene 1). Iago is deceiving, and the deception lies in his