Iago speaks his thoughts aloud as he raises doubts about Cassio’s honesty towards Othello. His thoughts are just his thoughts they aren’t all genuine, but the whole point of him speaking his thoughts aloud is so that others around him can go on believing the same as his thoughts.
Iago also uses figurative language, which creates a picture in Othello’s head. For example, how Cassio felt uncomfortable talking to Desdemona whilst Othello was in the room, this has left a picture in Othello head about whether or not Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair.
As Iago carries on being Othello’s ‘good and loyal’ friend he carries on putting false statements in his head. Othello believes Iago because of the good friendship they have. Othello won’t be able to see what Iago is doing because of how much he trusts him. Iago knows what the case is, and knows just the way to manipulate Othello.
Othello had given Desdemona a handkerchief with strawberries printed on it as a first gift. Desdemona had accidentally dropped the handkerchief leaving Emilia to pick it up. Emilia not knowing anything gives the handkerchief to Cassio. Overlooking was Iago, and so the first thing he did was go straight to Othello. During their conversation Othello states how he gave a handkerchief to Desdemona with the same description. Iago then replies and says how he saw Cassio wiping his beard with the same handkerchief. At this point Othello believes every word Iago is saying. Here again Iago has manipulated Othello to believe that Cassio and Desdemona are being unfaithful to their loved ones.
Although Othello believes Iago he is deeply cross with him. Iago knowing Othello is cross with him, he plays cross back. Othello is cross with Iago because he doesn’t like the fact of believing his wife is having an affair. Iago is pretending to be cross back at Othello because he doesn’t like the fact that Othello is cross with him about not believing what he is saying.
Whilst this Iago tells Othello about he night he slept with Cassio. He told him that he heard Cassio dreaming his thought s aloud. Iago said: ‘ in his sleep I heard him say, “sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves’… cried ‘cursed fate that gave thee to the moor!” Although this is genuine Iago felt telling Othello at this point would be good, as he believes every word he is saying. This made Othello more angry and upset.
Iago has used figurative language throughout this scene, as he wants Othello to imagine Cassio and Desdemona together. An example of his figurative language is when he says ‘ it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on’ [p.175].
Othello shows us that he has become weak, as he falls to his knees. Iago is still looking ‘faithful’ as he falls to his knees to support Othello. To Othello Iago is seen as loyal and totally devoted to their friendship.
Iago only spoke indirectly in this scene. All throughout the play he spoke in a direct way. By this is mean Iago spoke in a softer and slower way but also in a persuasive manner, like he was thinking carefully before he was speaking. Iago’s language is very strong as he speaks indirectly to Othello. Iago knows by speaking this way it is going to make Othello believe his thoughts even more. For example, when Iago says at the beginning ‘did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady know of your love?’ this is manipulation, which led Othello being suspicious and concerned at the start. Iago gets Othello by using reverse psychology. Iago says the opposite to make Othello believe Desdemona is having an affair. Othello subsequently blows up in anger with Iago.
Othello choice of words at the start were negative as he used ‘monster, hideous’ etc. This is Iago’s effect as the more he said to him the more angry he got.
Othello describes Iago’s body language and say’s, ‘Purse they brow together’. All that Iago wanted was for Othello to explode and lose his temper, so he could show his support and that he is a true friend to him. This would make Othello believe Iago is a loyal friend and really cares for him. Iago ‘proves’ this by saying ‘my lord, you know I love you’. Here again Iago has manipulated Othello into believing he is telling the true and saving him from getting hurt even more. He has also manipulated him into believing that he is a true friend and has always been.
By know Othello is well and truly convinced Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. At this point Iago is starting to change his tone of language by speaking directly.
Othello has also become sexually jealous, as the remarks about his wife and Cassio have got to him. Othello says ‘exchange me for a goat’, which is known as bestial goat. Othello also mentions how he will not be jealous and ignore what is said to him. But Othello is jealous and can’t ignore the comments made about his wife and Cassio.
As Iago becomes more direct he also makes Othello aware that he knows of the betrayal his wife has done, and is in. Iago says ‘observe her well with Cassio’. This phrase is very clear in what he is implying to Othello. It’s almost as if Iago is trying to ‘persecute’ Othello.
Othello’s reaction to this is good for Iago, as Othello acts just the way Iago wants him to. This enables Iago to manipulate Othello in the simplest ways.
Othello is angry and hurting inside. His use of language reflects the way he is feeling. For example, Othello is furious and so everything on his mind is said without any thought. This also shows that Othello is concentrating on the matter, and not just letting it pass. Othello’s language is negative, for example ‘to hideous to be shown’ and ‘ as if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain’ [p.171]. Othello is speaking straight from the heart. Although Othello is deeply hurt he still manages to speak in verse. This shows us how he is really feeling, and this enables him to show his frustration. Othello also uses a lot of repetition. This is because he is angry and upset. He wants people to hear him, and so repeating himself would mean he is heard. For example, ‘not a jot, not a jot’ [p.179]. He also asks a lot of questions. This could be because he wants to know everything, just in case it’s about his wife. This also indicates how angry Othello is. By asking questions it would calm him down as he is getting some answers. For example, ‘what dost thou mean?’ and ‘why, why is that?’ its almost as if he is keeping himself up to date with information.
Towards the end of the act Othello kneels down. This shows us that Othello is weak. Iago shows his loyalty by kneeling down beside him to support him.
Iago is able to manipulate Othello because Othello is able to cope with the fact he is a black man living in a white society. Iago plays with Othello’s insecurities to get him to believe his wife is having an affair. Othello becomes weak and vulnerable, which allows Iago to manipulate him even more.
Iago is seen as ‘honest Iago’. This makes Iago manipulate people in the easy ways possible, especially Othello.
Overall ‘Othello’ is a play, which is entertaining for it’s audiences. Back in the day theatres were very popular, which led ‘Othello’ to do well with it’s audience. The play has continuous themes running through it, which also makes the audience watch on. For example some scenes run from being happy to sad, anger to pleasantness etc. I also think this play is good because people who are in similar situations are going to know that other people are going through the same pain/happiness etc. The themes set in this play are relevant today, as there is racism now, which can lead to story lines like Othello. Shakespeare was reputable as he had other plays, which were very popular. Other plays of his was ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘King Lear’ etc.
The play is also entertaining because of where it was set. Places like Italy and Cyprus are exotic and so watching plays set in these places is going to fascinate it’s viewers as they would have not see anything like this before. People liked seeing dramas like this because it was different and enjoyable, it always consisted of different themes, which meant the audiences would not be sitting there bored, or in other words, not gone to sleep.
