Examples Of Lying In Othello

How many lies have been told today? More often than not, lies are spoken as frequently as truths. Worse yet, is the inability to sometimes be able to distinguish the difference. The concept of lying has become second nature to the majority of society; in addition individuals tend to lie to themselves more often than to others. This human trait is apparent in Shakespeare’s Othello, which brilliantly mirrors life. To see Iago simply a liar and fraud, while viewing Desdemona as simply pure and fair would flatten Shakespeare’s depiction of this human reality. Often when characters feel “real”, they are stereotyped illusion based on an audience’s feelings. The reader does not want to realize unpleasant flaws in an “honorable” character; just

Othello is much older than the young Desdemona, claiming“… I am declined/ Into the vale of years” (3. 3. 269-270). It can be assumed he is most likely scarred quite egregiously, due to the battles he has fought. His age and physical appearance along with the fact he has just married a young beautiful wife make Othello self-conscious and nervous that his wife may not “love” him. As Francesco Ancona mentions in “Honest” Iago and the evil nature of words “to cover up that insecurity, he lies” (np), acting as if he has a strong steady belief in himself translates to readers as lying to himself “you…more command… years Than with… weapons” (1. 2. 60-61). Furthermore Othello lies to Iago. By denying Iago the Lieutenant position, Othello surely knows that he has hurt Iago. Iago has proven himself by having fought alongside Othello for many battles “And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof” (1. 1. 27-28). Iago also had three different key representatives throughout the city of Venice voice their opinion that he is deserving of the job to Othello, “Three great ones… suit… to make me” (1. 1. 8-9). Instead of confronting Iago and explaining his decision to promote Cassio, Othello ignores the obvious animosity and lies to Iago pretending all is fine. This subtle act of lying is the key reason for Iago’s heinous plan of revenge. Though seemingly

Emilia is a reputable character who often speaks the truth, as does her husband Iago, but in her case she never manipulates anyone by doing so. As honest as she seems, even she lies and shows dishonesty by stealing the handkerchief from Desdemona for Iago. As innocent as it may seem, Emilia has to be well aware of the meaning and value of Desdemona’s handkerchief, yet she delivers to her husband the vice he so desperately needs for his ultimate plan. While Othello is berating his wife Desdemona about losing the handkerchief, Emilia sits back and does not deter him or admit to Desdemona that she could have misplaced it by accident. As for Desdemona, since the beginning of the play she pronounces her love for her new husband. But as Othello remarks “She loved me for the dangers… passed” (1. 3. 168). This revelation reveals that she may think she loves him, but honestly she loves the dangerous lifestyle that Othello lives and yearns to have that in her life. She is a teenage girl who has been “locked” in her father’s house waiting for him to pick her a groom, to then go and be “locked” in his house. She is so desperate to travel with Othello for lustful and selfish reasons, all the while by lying to herself and disguising it as