Iagos words act like poison in Othello. How does Shakespeare explore his deviousness?
Shakespeares style of writing changed from time to time; from comedy, to romance and then to tragedies. Moving over to the dark side led him to write Othello; a play of tragedy and manipulation. Shakespeare was influenced by the ideas of Niccolo Machiavelli in The Prince book. Shakespeare explores Iagos deviousness with ideas of powerful insights in order to become a successful ruler. The character of Iago is acted through this with the use of deception and his cunning ways; through his actions, conversations and soliloquies. His words are so believable and powerful that they act like poison to Rodergio, Brabantio and Othello. Once words leave his mouth, they sink deep into the other being, making it impossible to forget and soon enough, itll be the only thing on their mind.
In the first scene of act one, Shakespeare has already started to reveal the deviousness of Iagos character. He hates Othello for choosing Michael Cassio to be his lieutenant and for him to serve below him. We cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed. In him saying that, it proves that he is two- faced. He is only devoted to Othello so that he can be his own master one day. Iago thinks that looking out for himself by deceiving his master, he has a soul. Shakespeare ends Iagos long dialogue with just one sentence that sums up who he really is. I am not what I am. This greatly explores Iagos deviousness by showing the readers that he knows that he isnt what everyone thinks he is. His manipulation and backstabbing are hidden behind his use of persuasive words.
Iagos false but convincing arguments make Roderigo fall into his trap of manipulation, which leads to Roderigo waking up Desdemonas father, Brabantio. He is initiated by Iagos words. Call up her father, rouse him, make after him, poison his delight. Roderigo reveals himself to Brabantio whereas Iago stays in his shadows; not wanting to be known. He informs Brabantio that Desdemona is making the beast with two backs, which is the worst way he could have said it; which is part of the plan. He repeats the same thing over again in different ways, having no respect for Othello. When Iago had finished his part in rousing up Brabantio, he fled the scene in a heartbeat.
From Roderigo in scene one to Othello in scene two, Shakespeare changes Iagos dialogue; which makes him appear innocent in Othellos eyes. I lack iniquity sometimes to do me service. His words are of an angels when speaking to Othello. To him, Iago is portrayed as the loyal and kind man that does what is best for everyone else. He could never be the manipulative or two-faced kind of servant. Shakespeare teaches us that some people arent always who you think they are, even the people that you would least suspect.
Iagos words act like poison in play. Once they are out in the open, there is no bringing them back. Iago first had to manipulate Roderigo in order to influence Brabantios actions, which would portray Othello as being the bad guy when Brabantio and his men come to capture him. It is with no doubt that Iagos words act like poison in Othello, already being so in the first two scenes of act one. His deviousness is explored by Shakespeare through a countless number of ways which leads from one lie to another. There is no antidote to fix Iagos words of poison.
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