How Does Iago Use Animal Imagery In Othello

In Act I, scene i of Othello, Iago usage of animal imagery is to rouse the sexism and racism of Brabantio and to degrade the love between Othello and Desdemona with derogatory language. Iago is clearly jealous of Othello since the general himself is an outsider who now occupies a rank far superior to his own. He uses animal imagery to emphasize the so-called disgusting aspects of Othello's act. He demonizes the general by associating him with the devil and calling him “an old black ram”(I. i. Pg. ). Iago and Roderigo are relentless and continue peppering Brabantio with the most repulsive and vile terms in order to provoke him into action as they state “your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you’ll have your nephews neigh to you, you’ll