In the extract being analysed there are numerous instances where William Shakespeare transformed characteristics of spoken language, those characteristics are meant to make the discourse more believable and aid the dramatic effect within the scene. In the extract, we see the Machiavellian character Iago influencing the easily malleable Roderigo, coaxing him into attacking and hopefully killing Cassio.
The tension grows within the text at this point because as soon as the events begin to unfold there is know way for the scheming Iago to turn back and rectify the situation. The final discourse between Iago and Roderigo is quick and full of Iago encouraging Roderigo to be bold and fight Cassio. ‘Quick, quick! Fear nothing; I’ll be at thy elbow’. This quote shows Iago reassuring Roderigo of the ease of the task he wants him to carry. It seems as though Roderigo is not as sure of the plan that he agreed to undertake now that the moment had come. ‘Be near at hand; I may miscarry in’t’ shows an element of doubt creeping into Roderigo’s mind and this is further cemented by him saying, ‘I have no great devotion to the deed, and yet he hath given me satisfying reasons’ which shows he feels no passion towards the job he is to undertake. It also caps his character in it whole entirety because he has been talked into killing Cassio, a man he does not dislike for his own personal reasons.
