To whom was it addressed? This is where we get the idea of Iago thinking he is better than everyone else, he even states that plume up my will this is when we, the audience get the idea of Iago selfishness and how he is overseeing all other characters roles to reflect his efforts in which he uses to only better his own position. Othello. In Shakespeare's play Othello, the character Iago is no different from those deceptive individuals. Analyze how and why individuals, events, or ideas develop and interact over the course of a text. He even threatens to "seek satisfaction" with Iago if he finds out that Iago is lying. With the line, But for my sport and profit, it is clear that Iago sees enriching himself off Roderigos envy as an amusing task with such an easy mark (Shakespeare 1473). He uses this particularly well with Roderigo and Othello. Cassio, however, knows himself and refrains. When Othello breaks up the quarrel, he asks, "are we turn'd Turks" (II.iii.170). Iago had been convincing Roderigo that money can buy him anything, even Desdemona's love. How? All of the characters in this scene, misled about each other by Iago, now do exactly what Iago wants them to do. He's paranoid Emilia has slept with O and C too! I got this idea from the fact that he himself may love Desdemona and in that notion he decided to dispose of those who are any feelings for Desdemona other than himself. "He's a soldier fit to stand by Caesar," Iago acknowledges. Fey Party Recap. Iago says this to Othello. 90 - 150 per day (Depending on Experience and Qualifications) An illustration of two photographs. Cassio 2. Assisting any children who may require extra support. After Iago 1 finishes brief parts of his plea, Iago 2 will, after Iago 1 speaks, tell the class exactly what he is trying to do as his "good face" speaks. But she shows her independence and loyalty to both Desdemona and to the truth. Examine iago's language at the end of Act Two. Struggling with distance learning? Storms are always of great significance in Shakespeare; here, the storm is a symbol of unrest and the discord to come. The . In the quotation previous to this one, Roderigo is telling Iago that the plan to win Desdemona over was simply not going to work. In a gesture reminiscent of how other characters (Iago, Roderigo, Brabantio) have drawn on racial stereotypes to exclude Othello and cement their own relationships, he here defines himself as an "insider," a Christian, against the "outsider" or enemy, the Turk. Conclude the class by asking the students how they view Iago, Desdemona, Othello, and Brabantio as based on what they have read and discussed. Here we see Roderigo acknowledge what Iago is doing to him and how Roderigo will no longer tolerate it. To love him still for prating? In Act 2, Scene 1 of Othello, Iago formulates his plan to drive Othello mad. What emotion does Iago play on to get Roderigo to provoke Cassio? Iago's speech also plays on Othello's insecurities perfectly; he speaks of Othello's age, race, and manners as reasons why Desdemona will grow tired of him, which are also reasons why Othello fears he might lose her. After a discussion of what "honest" means in today's society, divide the students up into four groups. Analyze Iago's arguments. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. The banter between Iago and Desdemona creates a nervous, uncomfortable atmosphere, in part because their levity is inappropriate, given that Othello's ship remains missing. Iago uses this metaphor to manipulate Roderigo into going to Desdemona's father and telling him that his daughter is married to the Moor, Othello. Iago understands that liquor can separate even the best man from himself, and do great damage to his reputation, as "His vice tis to his virtue an equinox, one as long as th' other" (II.iii.123-124). Iago is a man with an obsession for control and power over others who has let this obsession take over his whole life. Students should note that Iago is quite right about reputation being "oft got without merit." Further study of Iago as being an uncharacteristically compelling villain would be interesting to pursue. Clearing away at the end of a lesson. See Gilchrist, K. J. I still intend on fictionalizing the entirety, but this is a stop-gap until such time as I can catch up. Later on in the play we find that Iago refers to those he resents as whip me such honest knaves the fact that he uses deception of honesty for his trickery to take place means that through honesty he is able to control those around him almost like pawns in a chest game. Explain Othello's change of heart. By clicking Check Writers Offers, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. Oil on canvas, ca. Iago's speech style Language is the source of Iago's power, but his characteristic idiom is different from Othello's. It is full of colloquialisms and oaths, befitting a cynical soldier. Othello as a stranger in a strange land: In order to understand how and why Iago's rhetoric might work so effectively against Othello, students should also be made aware of the powerful General's vulnerability: he is a Moor in an alien society, first in the city of Venice and then on the isle of Cyprus. In effect, he is defining himself as both an insider. Roderigo eventually begins to question Honest Iago, saying "I think it is scurvy, and begin to find myself fopped in it." [Act IV, Scene II, Line 189]. In this soliloquy he not only describes his actions as devilish, but he also discusses how he will ensnare. "So will I turn her virtue into pitch / and out of her own goodness make the rest / that shall enmesh them all" (Scene 3, lines 351-353) What does this quote mean? Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies. He is a ladies man, he is loyal to Othello, he has a weakness for alcohol, Iago urges Roderigo to provoke Cassio by telling him that, Iago and Cassio (Iago - manipulative, hates women // Cassio - loves women, manipulated), In Scene 3, Othello becomes angry with Cassio because, while supervising the watch, Cassio got into a fight. Students love them!, Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Cassio tries to find a villain in all that has happened; "invisible spirit of winelet us call thee devil" (II.iii.282-283). They really don't want to get caught but one can see their sins if they look closely. However, it seems as if he could just be using that as an excuse to ruin the harmony between Othello and Desdemona as he insulted Emilia earlier on. The audience believes that this reason is inadequate and that it is only because of Othello's good fortune that he has decided to plot his revenge against Othello. Rodgerio and Iago have had a bit too much to drink and they go over to Brabantios house to inform him about his daughters romantic relationship with Othello. What step in his plan to entrap the main characters does Iago take at the end of Act II? 302303). Another interpretation is that Iago is jealous of Othellos good fortune, the audience sees this at the end of the play When Iago refuses to explain himself. Dont know where to start? Iago is presented as arrogant and self-obsessed. Another literary tradition is the fact that he always uses morals and themes; if not multiple morals and themes such as in Othello he involves characteristics such as jealousy, greed, envy, deceitfulness, power, betrayal, honesty and revenge etc. However, all does not go according to plan; first Cassio does not die and then the entire plot is revealed to by Iagos wife, Emilia. However, we as viewers only come to find that this advice is means for Othello to suspect his wife Emilia of sexual relations with Cassio. Cassio laments that he has lost his reputation, which is very dear to him. Does Iago use other words that would also alarm him? There were some foils upon a table--some points also. Much of the answer must lie in Iago's skillful manipulation of rhetorical skills. Here he is cultivating the seeds of doubt in Othello's mind. After the speech, first Emilia and then the class will have to decide whether Iago should get the handkerchief or not. Note - This Recap is a quick(ish) synopsis of the Fey Adventure following 'Chapter 4 - X Marks the Spot' up to the present session. Misrepresentation is a theme that surfaces often through Iago's villainy; already, he makes Desdemona seem like a fickle, lusty woman, which he will soon try to convince Othello of. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." To whom was it addressed? This represents the true characteristics of Iago through masculinity and his dominance over other characters throughout the play. Some people think Iago may not be entirely at fault, as it was also Othellos Achilles heel that led to his downfall and demise, O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! Roderigo recruits Iago to woo Desdemona for humself. Desdemona 3. He knows exactly what to say and when to say it to incite jealousy within anyone he wishes. Another way in which the play could be interpreted is the fact that he was not promoted and so that he could achieve his sweet revenge, in order to do so he must break Othello part from part slowly (as in his references to poison throughout the play) and the thing he loves dearest Desdemona as well as not revealing his true intentions. At the end of the court scene in the first act, Iago and Roderigo are left alone with the poor doting lover in great despair. But Iago begins explaining the situation, saying very now, an old black ram is topping your white ewe. Through Iagos many qualities, Jealousy and Paranoia seem to be exaggerated throughout the play, it is because of Iagos jealousy is of such as great extent that he is brought to bring about the downfall of Othello. Iago gets Cassio drunk and then has Roderigo pick a fight with him. Examine the speech for the metaphors and images he uses. To Othello and the others, Iago pretends not to understand how the whole fight came about, but he defends Cassio, saying that Cassio surely received from "him that fled" (Roderigo) some "strange indignity, / Which patience could not pass." CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3. Early on in the play the audience comes to find that Iago is disloyal, evil and deceiving, we come to realise this when he speaks to Roderigo and he uses quotations such as I follow him to serve my turn upon him The quote shows that Iago is only serving Othello to his own advantageous needs, to serve Othello for his own benefits; this indicates to the audience that Iagos intentions to do this are by being deceiving and disloyal. Iago as the prosecutor and. Download Othello Study Guide. Active Themes Othello searches his chamber and finds a sword. He speaks of Desdemona as being "sport for Jove," and "full of game" (II.iii.17-19); his depiction of Desdemona rings false, as does his attempt to insinuate lust into Cassio's mind. 1. What are some possible symbolic meanings of this change? After sharing the definitions of "jealousy," "cuckold," and "monster" with the class, and after noting their prevalence in the play, begin discussion with the following questions: How do these words affect a man such as Othello? Tension lies in whether or not Cassio and Othello will come to know as much as the audience does about Iago's deviance. As well as this references towards hell and damnation, there a several others. Othello, meanwhile, his crime staring him in the face, now can only preserve his honor by insisting that Iago's version must be the truth. What do Wilfred Owens poems reveal about his views on religion? Iago is very tricky in this scene and extremely playful with Desdemona. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE. Or, if the technology is available at your school, you could display. Just as every character has their own manner of speech and expression, Cassio has a very polished, courtly way of speaking, especially of ladies. The hours will be flexible, paid an hourly rate PAYE. Dont waste Your Time Searching For a Sample. Othello essays are academic essays for citation. Iago is saying this quote and it is addressed to Cassio. Emilia 5. Each group should also be assigned to trace one character's "honesty" throughout the play. The play Othello was written by William Shakespeare between 1600 and 1605. In this Iago confides that he plays two roles, one which is him in reality his true greedy and obsessive side in which the audience finds him in his soliloquies and the other, when he is the company of others and is referred to as honest Iago or good friend. Cassio fights Montano, and gravely wounds him. He in this case is being referred to Cassio. Either as an in-class exercise or as a homework assignment, students can use worksheet 2, In class, the teacher should focus on Iago's introduction of the words "jealousy," "cuckold" and "monster" into his rhetoric. By refusing to speak, Iago retains some of the directorial control of events that he has striven for throughout: he never reveals his inner reality to the other characters. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. Painting of Othello weeping over Desdemona's body. William Shakespeares Othello uses different and unique techniques in his language to express the nature of evil throughout the play. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. What do we mean today when we say someone is honest? Students of all ages and in every subject area will find it indispensable. Software. Othello, now comprehending everything, shows frank, deep remorse. How does the language change? Students' written work can form the basis for the next class discussion. For example when Iago says to Roderigo, "Plague him with flies"(I,i,71). Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. By saying he doesn't know what happened, Iago makes it look like he is trying to protect Cassio.. As usual, Iago pretends that he does not want to say what he is about to say, which makes what he. He commits suicide claiming that His only crime was loving too much. Once there's reason to exclude him from the social group, Othello quickly is diminished to the status of outsider among the Venetians. Iago also states that And out of her own goodness make the net, that shall enmesh them all. The characters that comment on the storm are mariners, alluding to Ursa Minor and stars used for navigation; this is a testament to Shakespeare's ability to craft credible dialogue for a great diversity and range of characters. 1. Perceptiveness is yet another motif in the play; it helps Iago do all of his dirty deeds, yet condemns Othello and Cassio when they cannot muster up enough of it to see that Iago is up to no good. I think the opening scene is meant to introduce the cunning and deceitful Iago. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. He plays on Roderigo's anger and Cassio's low tolerance of alcohol. Iago kills Emilia because she did betray himbut she betrayed him for the greater good, and Iago's violence toward her is more graphic and terrible than the smothering of Desdemona, bringing home his full villainy. The repetition of "honest" in his description of Iago compounds the tragedy by highlighting how completely he was duped. Iago tries to control Emilia, commanding her as his wife to be silent. Examine iago's language at the end of Act Two. In comparison to his frantic, epileptic state in the prior scenes, Othello now seems dignified. Evaluate Cassio's and Iago's stated opinions about reputation. A messenger arrives with news that the Turkish fleet has been so damaged by the storm that it no longer threatens Cyprus. Emilia, who understands Iago far better than the gullible male characters have so far, demonstrates her loyalty to Desdemona by risking her own safety and defying the murderer of her former mistress, despite his obvious willingness to do violence. "If it were now to die, twere now to be most happy" "My soul hath her content so absolute that not another comfort like this succeeds an unknown fate". Yet, the audience knows exactly what Iago is up to, and is able to see his deceptions for what they are. Arise, arise, awake the snorting citizens with the bell, or else the devil will make a grandsire of you. (I,I). At this point Othello realizes he has killed Desdemona without just cause. In the first scene of the fifth act, after killing Roderigo and after Cassio passes out, Iago senses the chance to engage in a bit of creative staging. It also allows the audience to see the true traits, personality and characteristics of the character, in this instance where the characters keep referring Iago as honest Iago or good friend but in fact the audience knows that this is not true because they were filled in on the soliloquies and therefore builds a sense of dramatic irony. Shakespeare uses this character to set the basis of evil. When Othello addresses his wife before a crowd in this scene, his words are all of a financial nature. A huge storm strikes at sea, destroying much of the Turkish fleet. Montano tells what he knows, and Iago fills in the rest - making sure to fictionalize his part. 1857. Responses will vary. Othello can't analyze realityhe can't even differentiate between Emilia's and Desdemona's voices. Desdemona's first question is for news of Othello. The groups will consult the. During the time of Shakespeare, females were often treated and viewed in society as second-rate to men. Job description. Images. On the other hand, Othello is also to blame as Iago had only set forth accusations and opinions yet Othello himself decided to follow them. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Iago speaks to Roderigo, convincing him that Desdemona will stray from Othello, as she has already done with Cassio. He promises to turn Desdemona's generosity against her, and use it to provoke Othello's jealousy and ruin everyone. Markus Zusak incorporates the motif of books to reveal character, symbolize abstract concepts, and reinforce the meaning of the work as a whole. This is a phrase that Iago uses to appeal to Roderigos emotion. The tragedy in literary tradition normally revolves around a consequence or Achilles heel in which the character is exploited through a tragic flaw or inability to cope with unfavourable circumstances. The Question and Answer section for Othello is a great Cassio is stripped of his rank, and all leave Cassio and Iago alone. Get your custom essay on, What does Iagos use of language in his soliloquies reveal about his true character? The two pass the time, waiting for news, and Iago watches, planning to catch Cassio in his . It is like one kind of play ending at the end of Act II, and another starts what looks like a political tragedy being an economic disaster. They completely demystify Shakespeare. Capstone Assignment #2: Two Paper Topic Ideas, For further evidence of Iago's successful persuasive techniques, one might also profitably examine Iago's interactions with Roderigo (see. How does Charles Dickens in the early part of Oliver Twist use the character Oliver to present his view of an unfair and corrupt world? Another metaphor that helps Iago with his plan is "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse"(I, iii, 375). To whom was it addressed? It is set in Cyprus. They reveal that Iago is malicious and malevolent and his methods are manipulative. -Graham S. In changing her story, Desdemona tries to spare Othello from the punishments he will receive, proving her love and devotion to him to the very last. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. What weakness of Cassio's does Iago take advantage of? "I will turn her virtue into pitch," he says of Desdemona, hearkening back to the light/dark imagery earlier in the act. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. Iago misrepresents himself throughout the play as honest, faithful, good-hearted, and here, as both foolish and jocular. Othello's self-consciousness is apparent in these words to Desdemona. "Reputation is a most idle and false imposition," Iago says; but this statement is a false consolation (II.iii.268-269). Without it, he sees himself as a beast, using the kind of animal imagery that other racist characters had used only to describe Othello. Joseph Ward May 31, 2014; Christine McKeever ed. In short, Othello is an "other," and the fact that he is a Moor surrounded by Italians and Cypriots only emphasizes his difference. He adds that he plans to ask Othello to return him to his position. Women are "wildcats in your kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended"; he even declares that they "rise to play, and go to bed to work" (II.i.110-114). He uses this to portray Othello as a Donkey, as he believes that Othello can be ordered to do as he pleases in this sense, the audience knows this is through Iagos manipulation and persuasion. Delivering the pre-set work. At the same time, at a trivial level, he also starts to speak untruths as a result of Iago's manipulations. Othello What becomes of the Turkish threat? 9. Iago then gives a soliloquy about knowing that Desdemona will speak for Cassio, and that he will be able to turn that against them both. How does Seamus Heaney reveal his culture in 'Digging' and 'Follower'? Roderigo is a simple-minded fool who believes that by giving money to a lowly ensign he can win the love of Desdemona, have her marriage to Othello dissolved, and restore her virtue. Othello can think of nothing but his jealousy and Desdemona's supposed adultery. An illustration of a heart shape Donate. A messenger enters, and confirms that the Turkish fleet was broken apart by the storm, and that Cassio has arrived, though Othello is still at sea. Iago is painting himself as a spider. The setting changed from normal to stormy weather. Cassio mourns the demise of his "reputation" above all else. Says he. Step-by-step answer. Sign Language: True Language for the Deaf, Death of a salesman --- character of Willy Loman and his relation with his wife, sons, friends and his extra marital affair. The next time around, however, Roderigo makes a direct attack on Iago saying that Iago is purposely tricking Roderigo. The play opens as Iago is telling Roderigo that he hates Othello because Othello has promoted Cassio to be his lieutenant instead of him, even though Cassio 'never set a squadron in the field' and has much less experience. Contract details: Hourly rate: 10.77 PAYE. Among these are the units of language, grammatical concepts and their origins, how languages differ and resemble each other, and the history of Iago's tone is highly suggestive and even transparent, but once again, a character is blind to Iago's machinations. An illustration of a 3.5" floppy disk. Retrieved from http://studymoose.com/iagos-use-language-soliloquies-reveal-true-character-new-essay. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. The role can vary from school to school, but generally responsibilities will include: Preparing the classroom ready for a lesson. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights.