How Does Iago Use Language In Act 1

Act 1 of 'Othello' is all based around one evening's events in Venice. It is very fast paced, where many things happen in a short time span. The opening of the Act is an argument with Iago and Roderigo, in which the audience first see Iago's character emerging.

In the opening scene, Iago displays his crude characteristics and language. Perhaps his most revealing declaration at this point is his proud boast `I am not what I am'. Though Roderigo is evidently meant to take this as reassurance that Iago only feigns allegiance to Othello for his own ends, the deeper implications of Iago's words are soon to become apparent to the audience, for Iago uses Roderego's lust for Desdemona, and money, to his own advantages throughout the play.
As Iago's behaviour changes, so does his language. When alone on stage he uses powerful, complex sentences, yet crude, animalistic language that demonstrate his complex hatred and powerful mind. In contrast, when speaking to Othello face-to-face he changes his speech to a more formal, professional tone so Othello continues to trust and rely on him.
At the beginning of the play, Shakespeare uses language
that conveys such confidence and skill, yet Othello when defending his love for Desdemona claims that he is "rude" in speech, (Revealing his insecurities) knowing that no one will possibly believe him, then effortlessly uses words such as "hair-breadth" and "Anthropophagi" . But in the moments when the pressure applied by Iago is particularly extreme, Othello's language deteriorates into fragmented, hesitant, and incoherent speech. Throughout Act III, scene iii, where Iago and Othello glimpse a conversation between Cassio and Desdemona, and Iago suggests he is flirting with her. At this Othello responds with short, clipped exclamations and half-sentences such as "Ha!", "O misery!", and "Dost thou say so?". There is also repetitions, as in "Not a jot, not a jot" , "O, monstrous, monstrous!", and "O, blood, blood, blood!" it is almost as if Othello has lost all confidence in his speech, and is striving to make himself understood. This change in language continues in Act IV, scene i, as the scene begins with Iago saying, "Will you think so?" and Othello can only helplessly and automatically echo, "Think so, Iago?".
Iago then introduces the word "lie" into the conversation, which sends Othello into a frenzy as he attempts to sort out the differences between Cassio "lying on" ( lying about) Desdemona and "lying with" her. The various words and images Iago has planted in Othello's mind over the course of the play are transformed into impressionistic, sporadic eruptions from Othello: "Lie with her? 'Swounds, that's fulsome! Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief" ,"Pish! Noses, ears, and lips!" It appears that this information is making no sense in Othello's mind, and ultimately, Othello's inability to articulate seems to overcome him physically, as he
collapses.

In addition to his use of language, Iago outwardly deceives Othello as he also manages in the course of the play to deceive every character with whom he interacts. The deception is so complete that none of the characters doubts Iago, which proves how well he plans and 'performs'. This point suggests that Iago is exceedingly persuasive, manipulative and his ability to observe and react to what is unfolding around him almost instantaneously may be the reason for this. He is an opportunist, which is made clear when, in Act III scene iii, Iago's wife Emilia steals a cherished handkerchief from Desdemona simply because her husband wished it, and Iago immediately responds to the opportunity to use it to his own ends.