Iago's Use Of Honesty In Othello

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In this specific soliloquy, Shakespeare utilizes the word “honesty” to help portray the type of man Iago isn't and the type of man Othello believes he is not. By letting himself be influenced by Iago's lies, Othello shows how being too trusting and putting your trust into someone you deem to be “of exceeding honesty” (3.3.263) can lead to you to your ruin. Because Othello is of trusting nature and he believes Iago to be an honest man it was easy for Iago to execute his plan and manipulate othello to create his own destruction. The etymology of the word “honesty” defines someone as being of "honorable position; propriety of behavior, good manners; virginity, chastity." Othello believes that Iago Acquires all these qualities which is why he believes

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