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Examples Of Allusions In Othello

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Biblical allusions are abound in Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Othello, concerning all characters, both good and evil. However, the darker aspects of the bible, namely the topics of Hell and the devil are used in reference to more malignant acts and characters, none more so than to Iago. Allusions are used in Iago’s soliloquy on lines 354-359 and 371-372 refer to Iago’s devilish plots and motives in his plan against Othello, and in dialogues between Iago and Othello on lines 282 to 297-300 where Othello claims Iago is the devil. Shakespeare utilizes allusions to create a metaphorical connection between Iago and the devil within The Tragedy of Othello which ultimately suggests that Iago is inherently evil and has no real motive for deceiving …show more content…

I know not if’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do, as if for surety. [. . .] I have’t! It is engendered! Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light. (1.3.354-59, 371-72) By saying “ Hell and night / Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light,” Iago is admitting that he is doing wrong, as it is worthy of “hell and night” only. Using words like “monstrous” also has negative and demonesque connotations. Iago’s first assumed motive is revenge for Othello having slept with Emilia based on the lines, “‘twixt my sheets / H’as done my office.” However, he even admits that it is just a rumor, and he knows “ not if’t be true.” Despite this, Iago only mentions this rumor about Emilia once more in the entire play. To rationalize his malignant nature, Iago searches for half-motives such as his desire for Cassio’s power, of which he gets and then continues his wrongdoing, and revenge for ambiguous rumors. Paragraph #2 The invocation of biblical evil comes up again at the end of the play. As Othello learns that Iago was behind the entire plot and Desdemona is innocent, Othello starts alluding to the devil in reference to Iago. He starts by …show more content…

I look down towards his feet-but that’s a fable [. . .] Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil Why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body? IAGO. Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak a

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Rather, upon learning Iago has deceived him into killing his wife, Othello says, “If that thou [Iago] be’st a devil, I cannot kill thee” (5.2. 295) and subsequently wounds Iago; however, after being struck, Iago states, “I bleed, sir, but not killed” (5.2. 296). Here, since Othello can wound Iago, Iago does not prove exactly to be the actual embodiment of a demon like Titivillus, yet, since Iago does not die, he assumes a similar primordial status of pure untouchable evil. In this way, despite Iago’s obvious mortal and assailable body, his metaphysical villainy cannot be directly overcome by Othello due to its abstract

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Iago is making sure that he makes Othello recall his conversation with Brabantio, when he warned Othello, that Desdemona had deceived him, therefore he should beware that she not deceive him too. The jealousy continues to grow and it helps Othello’s mind to wonder about Desdemona being unfaithful. #5 “The Moor already changes with my poison: Which at the first are scarce fount to distaste, But with a little act upon the blood Burn like the mines of Sulphur. I did say so:” ( Act 3 Scene 3 page 50) Iago begins to see the how the seed of jealousy that he planted has grown and infested Othello’s mind.

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Throughout the act, Othello is referred to as an evil or unwanted creature. Only to worsen this current situation, his ancient, Iago, is the one who is causing this issue. In Othello, Iago uses his imagery to Brabantio to rouse him from his sleep, “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!” (Shakespeare 1.1.11).

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Arise!, arise! Awake the snorting citizens with the bell, Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you”. Not only is the comparison between animals and their hyper-sexuality to Othello made here, but it is also the comparison between the devil and Othello that is shown. Iago uses this to manipulate Brabantio's fears of miscegenation and the sixteenth-century idea of black men being evil and the devil taking the form of a black man. This is one of the

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This allusion that Iago makes explains the theme of fatal pride. By referencing King Stephen, Iago refers to the downfall of Othello as he is too trusting, and thus, that pride will make him careless and oblivious to better judgement, thus resulting in the murder of Desdemona and his ultimate fall, hence building upon the theme. In history, locations, race, and culture were the cause of much conflict. This same concept can be applied to Othello, which utilizes allusions to refer to the relevance of these places and peoples to develop his themes, more specifically, the geographical allusions built mainly upon the theme of civilization versus savagery.

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Normally, people are retaliated against a monster, which is the reason that Iago uses this diction. By associating Othello with a monster, Iago gives the impression that everyone else will think Othello is monstrous and Iago’s plan will succeed since everyone must hate monsters. Utilizing diction to convey these ideas was an effective choice for Iago because Othello is associated with being monstrous and must be saved. The line “Hell and night [m]ust bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light” (1.3.385- 386) stated by Iago can also be considered a hyperbole.

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Combined with the racial hate and his suspicions that Othello slept with Emilia, who is Iago's wife, Iago uses the weaknesses of many to deceive and fool them into thinking and doing what he wants. Iago is either extremely evil, and has no morals. He is able to painstakingly deceive his friends, along with his wife. He has no regard to anyone but himself. The quote “Iago loves evil for his own sake.

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Genghis Khan once said “an action committed in anger is an action doomed to failure”, thus ultimately leaving those with malicious intentions to wallow in their collapsed dreams. These wise words of advice apply to many circumstances in Othello, by William Shakespeare, where one man’s desperate thirst for revenge causes him to manipulate those around him. Iago’s heinous motives drive him to fulfill the needs of his unruly God complex. In Othello, Shakespeare characterizes Iago as astute through the use of hyperbole and metaphors. We can learn from Iago that having an air of superiority results in a distorted view of reality and can eventually lead to bitterness and hate.

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" Iago then tells Othello to not succumb to his thoughts but rather to seek proof of Desdemona's unfaithfulness before Othello believes it. Iago also reminds Othello that Desdemona did once deceive her father. By the time Iago and Othello part, Othello believes he is indebted to Iago for being so honest with him . This is surely a crazy moment in the mind of Rodrigo.

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Now, I do love her too,” ( 2.1.312 - 313 ). Iago admits that he thinks Othello will be a good husband, but he continues to ruin his reputation, relationships, and life. He likes to see peace become chaos. At the end, the most obvious correlation between Iago and the devil show up. Othello, infuriated with him, wonders why he would do such a thing so terrible.

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895 Words | 4 Pages

Iago’s insecurities about his relationship with his wife sparks the thought that she slept with Othello. Without evidence of this happening, this assumption haunts him, and he states that it “gnaws my inwards.” Iago’s jealousy of Othello is obvious in his words “This Moor, howbeit that I endure him not/ is of a constant, loving, noble nature/ and I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona/ a most dear husband. Now, I do love her too/ not out of absolute lust/ but partly led to diet my revenge…”

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Othello’s personality was poisoned and manipulated by a devilishly clever man, namely Iago who wished nothing more than to destroy Othello. Iago used Othello’s trusting nature to his advantage, whispering lies from a position of friendship to reduce the once loving husband Desdemona married to the murdering wreck of a man who stole her life. The power of Iago’s lies and deception is illustrated through the rapid turn of Othello’s heart. Such clearly strong lies would allow Iago to convince anyone to do something horrible, the mighty Othello no exception. { The fact that Iago convinced Othello to change his means of murdering his wife, from a quick and painless poison to violent strangulation, shows how deeply-rooted the seeds of hate and distrust

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In "Othello" by William Shakespeare it is evident that misery loves company and with Iago feeling lonely, he wants Othello to be his company. Although Iago's motivations appear to be jealousy but it could also be the simple reason that Iago is evil. The jealousy is evident in the very beginning of the story. In Act I, Scene 3, Iago says "I hate the Moor And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets 'Has done my office.

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Notes: - Malignant character, plots downfall of othello. - Opposition between good vs evil through use of religious connotation “baptism”, “divinity of hell”, “satan”. Embodied by conflict of christianity against evil - classical theme. - encapsulates evil of satan, othello and des purity goodness - subtle use of symbolism, fruitful, adam and eve, linking iago to snake character, eve &adam, othello & des - naivety, othello, not aware of lack of goodness in iago - metaphysicality - omnipitent intent - psychopathic and evil - rhetorical questions, shows he is self-assured, merciless, evil, confident - calculated character - pivotal, shows iago reached pinnacle of evilness Context:

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When he does not get the position he wants and also heard that Othello has been sleeping with his wife Emilia, Iago’s manipulation increases. Iago plans his scheme based on, “[Othello] has done my office, I know not if’t be true/ But I, for mere suspicion in that kind/ Will do as if for surety” (I. III. 431-433). This use of manipulation is all based on an assumption that Othello has slept with Iago’s wife, and this assumption leads to even more horrible events.

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