Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Othello- analysis of Iago's soliquay in which he talk about "divinity of hell"

Good Essays
407 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Othello- analysis of Iago's soliquay in which he talk about "divinity of hell"
In this soliloquy Iago's schemes are becoming a reality and his tone is one of confidence as he continues to play the villain and appear to be honest. The idea of him playing a game is expressed in the words "I play the villain". Also the idea of "win the Moor" showing innocent his victims are also, is also supported with the repetition of the word "honest" and his use of sacrificial Imagery "all seals and symbols of redeemed sin". Iago is viewed favorably by the other characters and he maintains his credibility by being on everyone's side, seen in comments such as "O honest Iago", "This fellow's of exceeding honesty" and "good ancient".

He persists with false honesty, loyalty and friendship to the other characters who do not see his duplicity until the end of the play. I chose this soliloquy as it reveals Iago's true malice and identity and exposes the plot of Iago's motives. Iago uses a great deal of sexual imagery in his soliloquy in reference to Desdemona showing his sexual fixation.

He states "She's framed as fruitful as the free elements", "she strives to do him good." He refers to himself as "divinity of hell" meaning the forces of hell. He uses poisoning imagery in his words, "I'll pour this pestilence into his ear showing that he plans to use any deadly means to bring about Othello's downfall.

The words "With his weak function. How am I then a villain" show how he humours and delights in his evil abilities. It also shows his sinister talents as he persuade, manipulates and exploit the innocent in the guise of concern and loyalty.

These words capture the duality of Iago where he appears to be the honest Iago yet he is a compelling and sophisticated villain. "She shall undo her credit with the Moor. So will I turn her virtue into pitch" reinforces the fact that Desdemona's natural goodness makes her more vulnerable to his evil.

The words "out of her own goodness make the net" with the net being the metaphor for the trap of Othello's downfall. This shows that Iago will use goodness and turn it into evil. The words "enmesh them all" show how he will go to any cost to cause destruction on others on others. He has no feelings towards others.

This soliloquy shows how the focus of this evil plot will involve the innocent, which shows the true duality and evilness of this villain.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Many characters in the Shakespearian play, Othello, are deceived by the clever and flattering Iago. Early on in the play, Iago is trying to get his plans against Othello into motion. He meticulously chooses vulnerable characters to help carry out his vengeful scheme. Roderigo is one of the many susceptible characters who fall for Iago’s tricks. Iago catches Roderigo in a very vulnerable state and carefully plants his own scheme into Roderigo’s mind. Iago wants Roderigo to keep fighting for Desdemona despite her marriage to Othello. He tells him “Seek thou rather be hazed in compassing thy joy then to be drowned without her” (1.3 353-355). Iago flatters Roderigo by making him believe he has a chance with Desdemona and to fight for her using…

    • 174 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A man falls into a violent epileptic shock from sheer anger and jealousy. Othello is an aspiring man, who under delusional rage, allows revenge to blind him and so he betrays the trust of friendship and marriage. Actions alone can merit the characterization of evil simply because some deeds are too purely vicious and malignant, however William Shakespeare’s Othello creates a character of far greater intricacy than sole action- intricacy demonstrated by the development of language and expansion on plot and character.…

    • 623 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago throughout the story has been known as “Honest Iago.” As you read the piece he is clearly not honest and speaks of his fiendish plans to ruin Othello’s relationship with Desdemona. In this act Iago’s plans really start coming together and are unfolding before him and he hardly has to say a thing.…

    • 1192 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago, in his soliloquies, informs the audience of his plans to deceive Othello and bring about his fall from grace. It is his use of language, rhythm, length and delivery that cause the greatest impact, instilling fear into the audience and creating a sense of tragic inevitability as Iago’s plans will come to fruition, with no one to stop them. The dangerous thing about Iago is that he not only brings down Othello, but he also wrecks anyone else that he can along the way.…

    • 1532 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Iago's Soliloquy Analysis

    • 351 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In this piece of his soliloquy, Iago is talking about how he plans to use Desdemona to take down both Othello and Cassio. Iago is going to convince Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio. Iago knows his plan will work as Desdemona will feel sorry for Cassio and try to convince Othello to make him lieutenant again. This plan will definitely work to Iago’s advantage here as Othello will probably be too heartbroken to think straight, and will end up ruining his relationship with Desdemona. He will also make sure that Cassio’s reputation is destroyed in the city. Iago can finally at this point take over Othello’s job as general, which is one of the things that he wanted. Shakespeare chooses to have Iago say that he will turn Desdemona’s…

    • 351 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    There are many ways d in to fill Othello’s mind with images of Desdemona naked with Cassio. This makes Othello’s jealousy grow. Iago sald be what hey seem; or those that be not would they might seen none!" (3.3.126-127). He is saying that if a man is not trago, but should talk with Desdesuch harsh actions. Iago is mon, logos, or logic. Tmonly used today, and by Iago, and works very affectivel looks, she loved them most" (3.3.206-208). Iago eason for his wife's infidelity. He is trying to say that if Desdemona betrayed him once before, she !" (3.3.416-417). Iago is claiming that Cassio admitted his love for Desdemona in his sleep.…

    • 265 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    ”So I will turn her virtue into pitch, and out of her own goodness makes the net that shall enmesh them all”(IagoDeception/Manipulation)…

    • 453 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    he is a compelling and sophisticated villain. "She shall undo her credit with the Moor. So will I turn her virtue into pitch" reinforces the fact that Desdemona's natural goodness makes her more vulnerable to his evil. In my speech I hoped to capture Iago as a cold blooded creature who is enraged with jealousy and uses other characters to fulfill his plans.…

    • 412 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello is a worthy figure of a tragic protagonist. The attributes he possesses suggest that we should view him as a hero, as he is descendant of a line of royalty and is an impressive military superior in the Venetian army. This role was very important in the Elizabethan times, Venice was a powerful, respected place and as this government was threatened by the Turks, Othello was seen as worthy enough to protect that. Othello is proud of his status, and his reputation is a crucial aspect of the hero’s perception of himself. As an Aristotelian tragic hero, Othello requires a hubris, a flaw in his personality. It is generally agreed that Othello’s hubris is his arrogance and self confidence, as this suggests that he believes that bad things will not happen to him, which is apparent in these lines;…

    • 1515 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Iago is constantly using Othello’s insecurities to achieve his wish, in act 3 scene 3. Othello’s soliloquy represents the psychological tipping point of the play. Up until this point Othello is characterized as a sturdy, brave and devoted husband, but from this point on, the audience witness Othello’s murderous intent and his personality disintegrate. The soliloquy opens with the most ironic of statements: “This fellow’s of exceeding honesty” he is talking about Iago’s trustworthiness. The constant use of the word “honest” (a key theme in this scene) and its attachment to Iago, emphasize him as a reliable person in the other characters eyes, but in fact for the audience we are exposed to his true dark, evil nature. It also highlights Othello’s unquestioning nature and a slight sense of naivety. Othello’s appraisal of Iago is correct, as Iago does know “all qualities of human dealings” he uses this knowledge in order to manipulate, rather than help others. Iago identifies every point of each character he can take advantage of, and by doing so is able to…

    • 1352 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the play Othello written by Shakespeare, Iago is characterized as an individual who is both manipulative, egoistic and troubled. He had previously suspected that Othello, otherwise known as Moor had slept with his wife Emilia. Leaving Iago with a strong desire for revenge. Shakespeare successfully uses diction and symbolism throughout the passage. These devices are used to provide the reader insights regarding Iago’s character and motivation.…

    • 451 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    english

    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Iago shows himself as a two faced person, he seems loyal and respectful toward Othello; however he is totally opposite person behind Othello’s back. “I hate the Moor.” This quotation given by Iago is short and simple, and straight to the point. Iago has hatred towards Othello due to the fact he had given Cassio the promotion that was rightfully his. Furthermore, Iago is manipulating everyone’s thoughts so he can gain the rank that was ‘taken’ from him.…

    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago's Soliloquy

    • 374 Words
    • 2 Pages

    He confesses to the mere suspicion that his wife and Othello have cheated on him. He confirms that although "it's with suspicion, he will do as for surety" (Act I, iii, 407-408). In other words, he will avenge his insecurity as if the rumors were to be true. This illustrates a dramatic irony because Othello will be facing the same situation. Iago will play into his mind claiming that Desdemona and Cassio are more than friends. Thus, this grudge Iago holds against Othello will turn into a great despair for all the characters in the…

    • 374 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Deterioration In Othello

    • 1202 Words
    • 5 Pages

    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…

    • 1202 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago is one of the most interesting characters in Othello. He is full of jealousy, greed, selfishness, and hatred. At first, it seems Iago is only jealous of Othello because he has chosen Cassio for lieutenant instead of Iago. When it is revealed Iago is developing a plot in order to take down Othello, a shift in Iago’s character is seen. He is not only jealous, but he acts on his jealousy, making him appear crueler than when first introduced. As Iago explains, “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 th' nose as asses are. I have ’t. It is engendered! Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light” (I.iii.336-341). Iago notices Othello’s character and acts on his weaknesses, showing both his cruelty and intelligence. Iago deceives Othello, who trusts him the most throughout the story, often referring to Iago as “honest Iago” (I.iii.294). Shakespeare uses irony continuously throughout the play when it comes to Iago. One of the most ironic parts of the play is the fact Othello puts great trust into Iago, who lies…

    • 793 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics