Manipulation In Othello

Shakespeare explores many different themes and values through the use of literary techniques and language devices in his play “Othello” that are still relatable in today’s society. In my book cover, I express my own opinion on what Shakespeare conveys in his play, through the use of imagery, symbolism and contrast. The themes I explore in my book cover are manipulation, race and appearance vs reality. Manipulation is a motif which occurs throughout the whole play and is displayed through the use of soliloquys and metaphors. In one of Iago’s many soliloquys, Shakespeare reveals his true intentions; to ruin Othello’s marriage by misleading him. In the line “And will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are.” (1.3.383-384) an idiom is used
“Far more fair than black.” (1.3.286), in this line the Duke is describing Othello’s virtue through a metaphor as being far more beautiful than the colour black. Clearly in this line, ‘black’ is as a derogatory term; ugly and horrid. The lines “an old black ram is tupping your white ewe… Or else the devil will make a grandsire out of you,” (1.1.88-93) also demonstrate the theme of race. Othello is being attributed to an old ram ‘tupping’ a white ewe – Desdemona, involving the works of the devil. As a result of the emphasis on races, I chose to contrast the background and texts. The colours black and white allude to dark and light, hell and heaven, good and bad. The black background also creates an unsettling atmosphere for the readers, foreshadowing evil acts which will occur in the play. The white rose symbolises Desdemona; innocent, pure, honest and the falling petals infer a complication involving
Therefore many of the scenes involving Iago display the theme of appearance vs reality. Through the use of monologue Shakespeare reveals to the audience Iago’s true nature; a selfish, cunning evil man, in the line “In following him, I follow but myself… I am not what I am.” (1.1.59-66). The repetitive use of dramatic irony of “Honest Iago,” further emphasises the theme of appearance vs reality, as Shakespeare establishes Iago’s real intentions early in the play. The change from verse to prose also displays the change in character of Iago, from talking with others (i.e. Othello, Desdemona and the nobles) to talking with Roderigo and himself. It shows the change from an eloquent, fluent and ‘honest’ Iago to a manipulative and colloquial Iago. Since Iago is a major involvement to the play and repetitively refers to appearance vs reality, I decided to add a quote directly from Iago (“I am not what I am”) to provide the readers with a small amount context; a play about trickery and mistaken identity. The juxtaposed black and white masks accompany the quote to further emphasise appearance vs