Why Should We Study Othello
There are many reasons why we study William Shakespeare’s plays today. There is the insight to human nature that he knows well, allusions to old mythology and legends, and others such. However, one reason stands out above the rest: his power of language. Also this power of language is clearly shown in his play, Othello, through Iago, the antagonist of the play. Iago, who is an ensign of Othello, is furious that he was not given the promotion to lieutenancy. As a result he uses his craftiness and “power of language” to take revenge on Othello. Iago demonstrates his power of language through his manipulation of Roderigo, Michael Cassio, and Othello, for his use and liking. Iago shows off his power of language by manipulation of Roderigo starts
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After the Venetian army, lead by Othello, return victorious from battle to Cyprus, Othello allows his men to celebrate and have a party. He also sets up Cassio and Iago to the guard duty. However by Iago’s nudging, Cassio drinks and become drunk, to which by Iago’s plan, causes a drunken fight and hurts Montano, an official in Cyprus. When Othello sees this, he demotes Cassio of his lieutenancy to his dismay. Cassio, heavily disappointed in himself cries “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have / lost my reputation!” mourning the losso fo his valuable lieutenancy. Iago, noticing this, cheers up Cassio saying that “Reputation is an idle and / most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost / without deserving.” (2.3.287-289), reminding him that reputation means nothing. He goes on further advising that he visit and bring Desdemona, Othello’s wife, to his side since “Our general[Othello]’s / wife is now the general”(2.3.333-334) telling him that Othello, who has deeply fallen in love, would listen to Desdemona. As a result, Cassio adheres to Iago’s advice and thanks him, hardening his trust for Iago. As Iago planned, Cassio would be constantly bringing suspicion to Othello as Iago insinuates jealousy to him. Iago shows his power of language with his befriending of Cassio in that he cheers him up and give him advice to get his reputation back; all the while he uses this relationship between Cassio and Desdemona to convince Othello that she is cheating on
After the Venetian army, lead by Othello, return victorious from battle to Cyprus, Othello allows his men to celebrate and have a party. He also sets up Cassio and Iago to the guard duty. However by Iago’s nudging, Cassio drinks and become drunk, to which by Iago’s plan, causes a drunken fight and hurts Montano, an official in Cyprus. When Othello sees this, he demotes Cassio of his lieutenancy to his dismay. Cassio, heavily disappointed in himself cries “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have / lost my reputation!” mourning the losso fo his valuable lieutenancy. Iago, noticing this, cheers up Cassio saying that “Reputation is an idle and / most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost / without deserving.” (2.3.287-289), reminding him that reputation means nothing. He goes on further advising that he visit and bring Desdemona, Othello’s wife, to his side since “Our general[Othello]’s / wife is now the general”(2.3.333-334) telling him that Othello, who has deeply fallen in love, would listen to Desdemona. As a result, Cassio adheres to Iago’s advice and thanks him, hardening his trust for Iago. As Iago planned, Cassio would be constantly bringing suspicion to Othello as Iago insinuates jealousy to him. Iago shows his power of language with his befriending of Cassio in that he cheers him up and give him advice to get his reputation back; all the while he uses this relationship between Cassio and Desdemona to convince Othello that she is cheating on