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 “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 “What should I do? Confess it is 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 “Send for the lady…and let her speak of me before her father” - Act 1, Scene 3, Line 115 “I’ll tear her all to pieces.” – Act 3, Scene 3, Line 432