A horrible evil person. Iago calls Cassio in, while Othello hides; Iago speaks to Cassio of Bianca, but Othello, in his disturbed state, believes that Cassio is talking of Desdemona, which is the last "proof" he needs before declaring his wife guilty. Iago explains that he will make Cassio retell the story of where, when, how, and how often he has slept with Desdemona, and when he intends to do so again. Iago uses language to manipulate Othello into a state of doubt about his wife’s faithfulness. Othello e-text contains the full text of Othello by William Shakespeare. This usually implies that the second speaker comes in on cue, though here something different happens. He basically calls her a ‘whore’ and Othello later does so as well. By calling Othello certain things, what does Iago make Othello out to be? He is beginning to become a stereotype by his own doing, as he falls farther and farther from himself. He tells her to be quiet and go home but she becomes even more vociferous. Find somewhere else to come down. Thou saidst—O, it comes o’er my memory 25 As doth the raven o’er the infectious house, Boding to all—he had my handkerchief. This theme reverberates throughout the play. His is the longest part with 1,070 lines. His words still condemn Desdemona, and Emilia too; Emilia is a "bawd," and the mistress of the whorehouse of which Desdemona is a part (IV.ii.20-21). Why does he indirectly hint at the importance of “Good name in man and woman” (3.3.157) before shifting into discussions about the nature of jealousy? But if I give my wife a handkerchief— OTHELLO What then? Emilia, ever perceptive, knows that someone has behind Othello's sudden change; she believes that "some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office, have not devised this slander," which is, of course, the truth (IV.ii.133). Iago is playing mind games with Othello as usual, forcing him to imagine Desdemona and Cassio in bed together. His passion is to control others and determine the course of events … Iago poses the question of why someone would pretend to be something they are not, yet this is everything he represents. Iago’s character is consumed with hatred and envy. Othello essays are academic essays for citation. "O, the world hath not a sweeter creature," Othello declares of Desdemona; yet, against his reason and better nature, he decides that she shall not live for what she has supposedly done (IV.i.186). What does Iago observe about Cassio and and Desdemona? If thou be'st valiant,— as, they say, base men being in love have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them—list me. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. Iago is a man with an obsession for control and power over others who has let this obsession take over his whole life. OTHELLO 242 Why did I marry? I told Cassio to come back later and talk with me, At that time I'll get him to confess the details of his affair with Desdemona. Emilia, the more practical one, thinks that it is not too big a price for a small act; Desdemona is too good, and too devout, to say that she would do so. IAGO Ay, what of that? Iago orders Othello to hide nearby and observe Cassio’s face during their conversation. Upon leaving the women, Iago comes across Roderigo; he is not pleased with how Iago has handled things, and knows that although Iago is promising him Desdemona's favor, he has done nothing to indicate that he has worked to achieve this. He basically calls her a ‘whore’ and Othello later does so as well. Othello's trance also marks his descent into savagery; ironically, he becomes the passion-stirred, wicked beast that others had erroneously accused him of being because of his race. Although one of his greatest fears regarding Desdemona's alleged infidelity was that it would blacken his name and reputation, the irony is that Othello is doing that himself; in striking Desdemona out of unreasonable cruelty, he besmirches his own good name. His civility ebbs, as he continues to become the cruel, jealous, passion-spurred "savage" that Brabantio accused him of being. In fact, the word 'whore' is used more in this play than in any other Shakespeare play - over 13 times. In act 2, scene 1, Iago has a conversation with Desdemona where he … Iago immediately begins to sow seeds of suspicion in Othello’s mind, subtly at first and then more obviously, suggesting that something is going on between Cassio and Desdemona, advising him to ‘Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio’. Here is where Raatzsch thinks the truth lies: Iago is above all a schemer. IAGO Why, then, 'tis hers, my lord; and, being hers, She may, I think, bestow't on any man. The Question and Answer section for Othello is a great Iago manipulates all the characters, in different ways. Othello then launches into a scathing condemnation of Desdemona; his tone is bitter and angry, although Desdemona cannot deduce what he is talking about. Othello still swears, after speaking with Emilia, that Desdemona is "a subtle whore"; the irony is that Othello takes Desdemona's piety and goodness as proof of the corruption lying beneath the surface, when these traits are as straightforward as possible. Iago continues to become the master of Othello's perception; Iago tells Othello to observe Cassio closely and "mark the fleers, the gibes, the notable scorns" that he shows toward Othello (IV.i.82). Shakespeare’s Othello – Iago’s manipulation skills The particular blend of character traits that enable Iago’s manipulation of Othello Although the play is named Othello, and although this character’s position and deeds are the center of the story, it is the character of Iago … Iago says he doesn't care if they kiss because she was always talking and she is annoying. (1.3.429-433) Of all the Shakespeare’s villains, Iago can be considered to be the most cunning and venomous. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. Why do Iago and Rod want to awake Brabantio? Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Roderigo, at last, is the one to accuse Iago of treachery; he has discovered the truth, that Iago's "words and performances are no kin together" (IV.ii.184). Thou saidst—O, it comes o’er my memory 25 As doth the raven o’er the infectious house, Boding to all—he had my handkerchief. Copyright © 1999 - 2020 GradeSaver LLC. Lodovico especially is shocked at this change in Othello, and has no idea how such a noble man could act so cruelly. IAGO Why then, ’tis hers, my lord, and being hers, She may, I think, bestow ’t on any man. A terrible storm has struck Cyprus, just as the Turks were about to approach. Why Does Iago Do the Things He Does? It is set in Venice and is about the downfall of a noble Venetian general, Othello, due to grudges harboured by his second lieutenant, Iago. Indeed, this is one of the reasons why Othello is so angry with Desdemona; the thought that she could have desire in her, just as he does, bewilders and angers him. Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! Iago. You've reached the end of your free preview. Othello falls into a trance of rage, and Iago decides to hammer home his false ideas about his wife. Will do as if for surety. Iago calls Cassio in, while Othello hides; Iago speaks to Cassio of Bianca, but Othello, in his disturbed state, believes that Ca… Othello refers to himself as a "horned man," ashamed of this descent; yet it has settled upon him, and he will struggle in vain to regain his dignity (IV.i.62). We have observed his daring, his ingenuity, his powers of deception and manipulation, his abhorrence of traditional ideas of virtue, his verbal skill, and his ruthlessness. There is great irony in this scene, as Othello declares that Desdemona is of a soft and kind nature, yet condemns her for being lustful and immoral. Iago and Edmund: The Silence and Complexity of Evil, Inevitability and the Nature of Shakespeare's Tragedies, Witchy Women: Female Magic and Otherness in Western Literature. This shows Othello trusts Iago and believes he is honest, thus Iago’s lying is working, and he begins to pull the wool over Othello’s eyes.In the beginning of the play Othello’s relationship with Desdemona … He then begins to generalize women about how they are useless other than taking care of children. The handkerchief is an omen of the destruction of their marriage. Again, the theme of order vs. chaos comes into play. Iago is revengeful, for a number of reasons, the most prominent is the fact he is angry at Othello and Michael Cassio (the man who Othello promoted), … Her character is parallel to that of Hamlet's Ophelia; both are good, virtuous, obedient, but both are subjected to tragic fates in spite of - or because of - their innocence. What does "making the beast with two backs" mean? The answer to this question can be found in Act II scene 1, which is when Iago observes very closely the kind of body language that Cassio displays when he greets and talks with Desdemona. He is talking with Iago about the handkerchief still, and its significance in being found; but, soon, Iago whips Othello into an even greater fury through mere insinuation, and Othello takes the bait. When Othello withdraws, Iago … 15. Why does Iago observe all of this closely? Othello, observing with this in mind, sees everything Cassio says as an affront to him and Desdemona, though Cassio's tone is not mocking, and he is speaking of another woman. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. But for the handkerchief— OTHELLO By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it. 241 My lord, I take my leave. After hearing what Iago has said about what happened with Cassio, Othello is, for the first time, unsure about what is the truth. “Othello” was written in 1603 and is one of many tragedies that Shakespeare wrote. In … Look here, Iago; All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. At the climax of the play, it is Iago’s wife, Emilia who exposes him. Note the contrast between Othello's language as he falls into a trance, and Othello's language in any previous part of the play, including Act III. Combined with the racial hate and his suspicions Othello slept with Emilia Iago uses the weaknesses of many to deceive and fool them into thinking and doing what he wants this is particularly the case with Othello and Rodrigo. The Turkish attack may have been quelled, but it also bodes badly for Othello's ship. Othello believes that Desdemona's denial is a sign of her deep-seated betrayal; but it is really a function of her honesty, and she has committed no wrongs. The Moor has promoted Cassio to the position of Lieutenant which Iago had been targeting. But, unfortunately for Othello, Bianca coming by and giving Desdemona's handkerchief back to Cassio seems to confirm all of Othello's suspicions. Iago. Enter Iago and Othello. Your IP: 74.207.249.205 Othello leaves, and Desdemona and Emilia try to figure out what has happened to Othello, and what they can do; Desdemona feels especially helpless, and Emilia is very angry. Emilia thinks that someone has manipulated Othello into accusing Desdemona, and has poisoned his mind; however, Iago is there to dispel this opinion, so that Emilia does not inquire further into her theory. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Othello was the main focus of Iago's manipulation. Othello is good at heart, but he cannot reconcile himself with the idea that Desdemona might be as human and as independent as he is, although the sudden shift of characterization in this scene belies this somewhat. After Othello has strangled Desdemona and the Venetian councilors are trying to understand what has happened Emilia accuses Iago. Just her mention of Cassio sends him into an unreasonable rage; every little thing he regards with suspicion, even if he has no cause. Emilia pronounces what seems like a theme of the play, up until this point; "let husbands know, their wives have sense like them Šthey see, and smell, and have their palates both for sweet and sour, just as their husbands have" (IV.iii.96-99). Iago’s soliloquies and asides are also a source of a great deal of the dramatic irony of Othello, which increases dramatic tension for the audience. Iago quiets him by making him believe that if he kills Cassio, then he will win Desdemona; Roderigo decides to go along with it, but Iago is coming dangerously close to being revealed. Emilia swears that she has seen and heard all that has gone on between Cassio and Desdemona, and that Desdemona is pure and true. 'Tis gone. Iago continues his insinuations when speaking to Othello; he provides more "proofs" that are anything but, though Othello has calmed, and seems more troubled and less angry. In the first scene, he claims to be angry at Othello for having passed him over for the position of lieutenant (I.i. IAGO [Returning.] resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Othello study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. When Othello breaks up the quarrel, he asks, "are we turn'd Turks" (II.iii.170). But for the handkerchief— OTHELLO By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it. Iago’s character is consumed with hatred and envy. OTHELLO That’s not so good now. • Now, Othello is resolved to kill Desdemona himself, and charges Iago with murdering Cassio. Joseph Ward May 31, 2014; Christine McKeever ed. Othello is incensed by Cassio, still believing that he was speaking of Desdemona, rather than Bianca.