Situational Irony In Othello
Irony is the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Throughout William Shakespeare’s play Othello the three main types of irony can be seen conveyed in numerous ways. Dramatic irony is the first where the audience understands the situation at hand but the characters do not yet understand. Situational irony is when something happens throughout the story that is incongruent to the plot. Verbal irony is when someone says something they don’t truly mean. These three types of irony are present through the course of the play as demonstrated by the dastardly character Iago. Every character that Iago came in contact with trusted him when he should have been the one
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The entire play of Othello is situationally ironic. Iago’s plan all along was to exact revenge on Othello, his plan was almost complete until he made a fatal mistake that cost him his life which threw his plan out of the window. Iago always had something to say throughout the play but in the end he was dead silent. Daniel Stempel agrees with this statement “Iago has been unmasked as the villain responsible for Othello's desperate act; there is no escape for him. Yet he spurns Othello's demand of an ex- planation, and, despite the threat of torture, maintains an obdurate silence”(252). This quote highlights the fact that Iago always had something to say throughout the play and when he was captured by the guards he chose to remain completely silent.
Verbal irony is when someone says something they don’t truly mean. Verbal irony is the most present form of irony in Othello. Iago is the most profound user of this form of irony through the play. Iago states, “My lord you know I love you” (3.3.129). This statement is the very definition of verbal irony because Iago does not truly have love for Othello, in truth he hates Othello. Iago also states, “O, beware my lord of jealousy” (3.3.179). Here he gives a prime example of verbal irony because he himself is truly jealous of Othello. Iago’s overwhelming jealousy was his overall
The entire play of Othello is situationally ironic. Iago’s plan all along was to exact revenge on Othello, his plan was almost complete until he made a fatal mistake that cost him his life which threw his plan out of the window. Iago always had something to say throughout the play but in the end he was dead silent. Daniel Stempel agrees with this statement “Iago has been unmasked as the villain responsible for Othello's desperate act; there is no escape for him. Yet he spurns Othello's demand of an ex- planation, and, despite the threat of torture, maintains an obdurate silence”(252). This quote highlights the fact that Iago always had something to say throughout the play and when he was captured by the guards he chose to remain completely silent.
Verbal irony is when someone says something they don’t truly mean. Verbal irony is the most present form of irony in Othello. Iago is the most profound user of this form of irony through the play. Iago states, “My lord you know I love you” (3.3.129). This statement is the very definition of verbal irony because Iago does not truly have love for Othello, in truth he hates Othello. Iago also states, “O, beware my lord of jealousy” (3.3.179). Here he gives a prime example of verbal irony because he himself is truly jealous of Othello. Iago’s overwhelming jealousy was his overall