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Introduction

How does Othello’s language change and what does this show the audience about: the deterioration of his character and the effect that Iago’s lies are having on him? Throughout the play, Othello’s character changes in many ways. I will be exploring the ways in which his character changes and how Iago’s lies play a vital role in this. In the beginning of the play, we see Othello as a noble, honest and loving character. We can see this by the way he talks to people, especially Desdemona. For example, Othello’s first line that he speaks is “'Tis better as it is.” This is when he is with Iago, telling him that it is better not to kill anyone. This shows his kind nature and good morals. “For know, Iago, but that I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhousèd free condition put into circumscription and confine for the sea’s worth.” This is yet another example from the beginning of the play of how loving and dedicated he is to Desdemona. ...read more.

Middle

The way that Iago is able to lie directly to his face later comes in very helpful when Iago plans to get his revenge on Othello. It has been noticed When comparing the two characters at the start of the play, it has been noticed by a critic that in the first act, Iago has eight diabolical references and Othello has none. In act two, he has six, and Othello one. The change them comes in act three when where Iago drops to three and Othello rises to nine. In act four, Iago has only one and Othello has ten. In act five, Iago has none and Othello has six. This is a very good over view of how the play goes on and Othello?s loving attitude and high morals change, and he can?t even use correct words, he has to make diabolical references. As the play progresses, we see Othello fall under the influence of Iago even when he is not physically present. ...read more.

Conclusion

Here, we see Othello really lose it, and we see the opposite to his earlier noble attitude when he says to Iago ?First to be hanged, and then to confess?I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion without some instruction. It is not words that shake me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips. Is ?t possible? Confess!?Handkerchief!?Oh, devil!?? Not only is Othello talking about killing Cassio which is very extreme, he is also using the diabolical language that has been noted earlier on. I feel that this scene shows Othello right on the point of carnage. The language used in this scene is a clear example that Othello is about to tip over the edge due to Iago?s lies. In conclusion, it?s clear that Iago?s lies played a huge part on the deterioration of Othello. We can tell that there is a clear decline in Othello?s language from the start of that play when he has a compassionate nature and at the end when he is a brutal, deluded killer. ...read more.

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Othello section.