Examples Of Honesty In Othello

When talking about the play Othello, ‘honest’ might not be the best term to describe Iago.
However, in a way, Iago is in fact honest to some extent. However, he is only honest to certain people: These people are of higher ranking than Iago. He does lie a few times in the play, but once again only to certain people. People of lower social ranking than Iago, such as women like Emilia and Desdemona, and others such as Roderico are people that Iago lies to. This may be due to the respect for authority in Venetian society and other places around the world in this period of time, and disrespecting people of higher authority could result in severe punishment. The character of Iago, therefore, can be called an “honest liar”, because he lies to certain

For example, Shakespeare writes “I know not that; but such a handkerchief- I am sure it was your wife’s-did I today See Cassio wipe his beard with.” (3.3.438-440). The quote is an example of manipulation of the truth. The handkerchief was a love token that Othello gave to Desdemona. Iago had his wife, Emilia, take the handkerchief from Desdemona in order for Iago to accuse her of cheating on Othello. Iago says he saw Cassio wipe his beard with the same handkerchief because Iago wants Othello to suspect Desdemona and Cassio of having an affair. Iago manipulates the truth of his story by keeping one key detail a secret: Iago had planted the handkerchief in Cassio’s room, not Desdemona. Furthermore, in the very second scene of act I, lines 29-30, Iago tells Othello “Those are the raised father and his friends, you were best go in.”. Again, on the idea of manipulation of the truth, Iago warns Othello of Brabantio coming to arrest him, however Iago is actually the one who told Brabantio of Othello’s secret marriage to Desdemona in the first place. Iago is simply acting loyal towards Othello so that Othello does not suspect Iago of betraying him or lying to him later on in the play. By speaking correctly and wording his sentences properly, Iago has found a way to lie to people while telling the

However, he only lies to those that are under his social ranking, particularly women. In act IV, scene 2, lines 164-166, Iago says to Desdemona “I pray you be content; ‘tis but his humour. The business of the state does him offence, And he does chide with you.” This passage portrays the idea of power of authority. Prior to Iago’s passage, Desdemona is worried about the way Othello is acting. She believes that Othello no longer loves her and wants to win his love back. Iago assures her, saying that there is no reason to worry. The whole quote is dramatically ironic, as the audience is the only one that knows nothing is fine, and that Othello is planning on killing Desdemona. Power of authority is evident here as Iago tells his first actual lie towards someone in the play. Prior to this, he has only twisted the truth. Iago only lies to those that are below him on social ranking, and twists the truth to those above him. Iago also lies to Roderigo. He says “First I must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him.” (2.1.211-212). This quote is told to Roderigo by Iago when Iago first sees Cassio take Desdemona by the hand, and tells to the audience that he will be using that in his plan. Iago says “directly”, which means certainly. The audience knows, however, that Desdemona’s heart is only for Othello, and vice versa. However, because Iago lies about this, it fills Roderigo with jealousy and fuel to continue on