Deterioration In Othello

Year 11 Advanced English 2012

Assessment Task #1

Task:

“The Moor is of a free and open nature,
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by the nose
As asses are.” Iago – Act 1, scene III.

Evaluate Shakespeare’s representation of Iago as central to an understanding of the text Othello.

Othello by William Shakespeare is a tragedy that depicts the fall of an honourable man through the deliberate deception and manipulation of a dishonourable man. The play describes the protagonist Othello’s disintegration and the tragic consequences of his moral deterioration. In the tragedy Othello, Shakespeare develops themes of trust and betrayal and employs dramatic conventions such as irony, the fatal
Throughout the play Iago displays an ability to identify flaws and weaknesses of others, which allows him to create devastation through subverting others who follow their own agenda, to achieve a web of events. In the quote “Where I the Moor, I would not be Iago. In following him, I follow but myself” – Act I, Scene I, Iago explains to Roderigo, that he follows Othello, not out of love or duty, but because he feels he can exploit Othello’s flaws. Iago identifies Othello’s trusting nature, as seen in the quote “That thinks men honest that but seem to be so” Act I, Scene II and plans to use Othello’s trust in him, which he considers is a flaw, to bring about Othello’s downfall. Shakespeare uses the character Iago to highlight issues relating to trust and betrayal “I follow him, to serve my turn upon him”- Iago, Act I, Scene I. Iago is the ultimate protagonist, his lack of morals, duplicitous nature and ability to manipulate others allows him to make Othello trust in the untrustworthy, Iago, and betray the people loyal to him, Desdemona. The central themes of trust and betrayal in Othello are reliant on the character Iago to create and accentuate. It is this reliance on Iago that suggests that he is a central for the understanding and interpreting of the play
Shakespeare uses situational, verbal and dramatic irony in Othello. It is these 3 types of irony, which add tension and humor as well as create interest in the plot of the play. One such example of situational irony in Othello is that Michael Cassio was the person that Iago originally wanted dead or demoted, so he could take the position he saw as rightfully his, and return to being Othello’s right hand man. However at the conclusion of the play both Othello and Iago are dead, and Cassio remains alive. Shakespeare uses situational irony to highlight a moral perspective to the tragic turn of events in Othello. Shakespeare frequently uses verbal irony in Othello. One clear example of this is “Honest Iago” – Othello. Othello says this several times in Act I, II and V. Another important example of verbal irony is “It is not jus’ words that shakes me thus” - Othello, Act IV, Scene I. Othello reveals that he is convinced that his suspicions about Cassio and Desdemona are true and that he has seen proof. Although it is Iago’s deception of Othello and it is simply words causing his distress. These two examples of verbal irony are also examples of dramatic irony, where the audience has knowledge, which is hidden from the character, allowing Shakespeare to engage the audience further. Shakespeare uses irony in Othello, to create interest and humor in the plot of the