Othello William Shakespeare
Seeing and Knowing
How are lies manipulated into truths by Iago?
Iago recognises the flaws in characters in the play
and takes advantage of them.
He isolates characters so they can’t verify what he
tells them.
Strategically starts out with a small seed of
suspicion, and builds on it,
Uses persuasive imagery and language; animalistic
references.
“ If you bethink yourself of any crime unreconciled as yet to
heaven and grace, solicit for it straight.”
– Act 5, Scene 2, Line 26
Roderigo
Desperately in love with Desdemona
Emotional and rash when he is unsure and feels
betrayed
Easily led by others; Roderigo trusts Iago
completely
“What should I do? Confess it is
“It is silliness to live, when to live is a
torment; and then we have a prescription to
die, when death is our physician.” –Act 1,
Scene 3, Line 307
my shame to be so fond, but it is
not in my virtue to amend it.” - Act
1, Scene 3, Line 317
Desdemona
There is a lot of imagery about her
innocence and purity
Iago dismisses her decisions and choices as
purely self-indulgent
“It cannot be that
Desdemona should
long continue her love
unto the Moor.” –Act 1,
Scene 3, Line 342
“When she is sated with his body, she will find
the error of her choice; she must have
change, she must.” Act 1, Scene 3, Line 351
Cassio
Courteous, with a high social status
Intelligent, but not experienced in battle
Can’t hold his liquor
“A maid, That paragons
description, and wild fame: One
that excels the quirks of blazoning
pens, And in the essential vesture
of creation Does bear all
excellency…” –Act 2, Scene 1,
Line 60
“I have very poor and unhappy
brains for drinking…” – Act 2,
Scene 3, Line 30
“’tis evermore the prologue to his
sleep: he’ll watch the horologe a
double set if drink rock not his
cradle.” –Line 125
Why does Othello allow Iago to sway his opinion
of Desdemona?
Othello has been a warrior all his life
He is used to having the respect of those around him
He is inexperienced in love and romance
Othello saw Desdemona as an equal in their relationship
Iago plants a seed of doubt in Othello’s mind about
Desdemona’s faithfulness
Othello’s quick mind means that he rapidly escalates to
believing Iago without checking with Desdemona
His inexperience in love means that he has no practice in
how to deal with his doubts
“I’ll tear her all to pieces.” –
“Send for the lady…and let her speak of me
before her father” - Act 1, Scene 3, Line 115
Act 3, Scene 3, Line 432