ipl-logo

False Identity Othello

714 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Character analysis othello

James J Nollman English Composition II Professor Townsend
12 July 23
False Identity in Shakespeare’s Othello
Shakespeare’s play, Othello, explores the true nature of identity in humans and highlights the deceitful essence of appearances. Iago’s role of antagonist is truly captivating and mystifying as he shifts his personality seamlessly throughout the entirety of the play. In the opening scene, Iago utters a contradicting statement regarding his own character, “I am not what I am”(Othello, 1.1. 65), hinting at his back and forth identity in the near future. This line perfectly encapsulates the central theme of the play: the complexities of character and the deceptive nature of appearances. Iago’s dialogue holds significant truth throughout …show more content…

During the play, he is able to deceive his peers through various different methods of control. This assertion of dominance doesn’t stop at only Othello; it stretches much further, even using it on his own trusted friend, Cassio. When Iago said “I am not who I am”, he shows the unreliability of his true character. His equivocal nature allows him to seamlessly change his positions and adapt to varying situations like a chameleon. Possessing the ability to hide his true intentions, Iago manages to manipulate those around him to serve his own ill-minded tendencies. This mind-boggling line outlines the dangerous ability he possesses to deceive others at his will, making him one of the more intriguing characters of the …show more content…

It gives rise to questions about his motivations and serves as a warning that people who appear to be truthful are often troubled by internal conflicts. Sadly, we don’t have the ability to look into someone’s mind; however, it’s safe to assume that Iago has other issues that plague him often.
The phrase “I am not who I am” exemplifies the traditional conflict over self-definition. Shakespeare explores the multifacetedness of our innermost being through the character of Iago. There is an intriguing duplex to the contrast between Iago’s portrayal of himself to the world and his personality within. This clash between good and evil, creativeness and destruction, and light and shadow exhibits the true complexity of human nature. Iago’s remark goes to show that outward appearances can be deceiving and people are made up of many opposing characteristics instead of one singular

Show More
Related

Growth Mindset Quotes In Othello

879 Words | 4 Pages

This shows that Iago have real hatred in his heart for Othello and that he is fixed on getting revenge . Iago would not tell the truth . Carol Dweck states “ when you enter a mindset you enter a new world “.

Read More

Similarities Between Gatsby And Othello

1837 Words | 8 Pages

Iago contributes to the tragic downfall of Othello, playing him like a fiddle. The human nature of Iago manipulates the trust

Read More

Classic Character Foils In William Shakespeare's Othello

1027 Words | 5 Pages

When it comes to Iago, he is constantly using others in the story as “pieces” in his larger game. He knows how to trick others into thinking that ideas that are completely absurd and very unrealistic are true. The only thing is that nobody realizes his intentions until it is too

Read More

Iago's Jealousy

375 Words | 2 Pages

Here Iago is trying to hunt for motives in order to justify his malignity and envy towards Othello. By stating “I am not what I am” Iago wants the readers to acknowledge that he isn’t what he comes across as, as if he is hiding his “true self”. Dr A.C. Bradley mentions “Iago

Read More

Manipulation And Conceit In Shakespeare's Othello

1388 Words | 6 Pages

Iago’s Plan In Shakespeare’s “Othello”, manipulation and deceit are prevalent throughout the play, and the use of these tools causes multiple characters to become more and more violent as a result. Through the use of verbal and physical manipulation of others combined with the use of irony, simile, and metaphor, Iago progressively shifts Othello’s positive mental attitude towards his peers into one more similar to that of the cold blooded and vicious killer that he is deep down which can be seen through his actions. At the beginning of the play, in Act 1 Scene 1, Iago can be seen verbally communicating with his peers in which his lying spree begins.

Read More

Comparing Othello And In The Time Of The Butterflies By Julia Alvarez

846 Words | 4 Pages

Othello’s confidence for a loyal man to maintain honesty and morals are contradicted through Iago’s actions: “in a man that’s just / They are close dilations, working from the heart, / That passion cannot rule” (3.3.123). Iago, due to the understatement to his name, is not perceivable as hateful. Othello’s willingness to sense Iago’s distress, and to believe his accusations, is because of the lack of awareness Othello has for his vengeance. Iago is of such little power and relevance within societal ranking that if he were to have intentions to sabotage anyone, which he does, are not considered, thus making him easily trustworthy to those of greater dominance. Society’s view of an individual determines how others consider and surmise their persona, though these conclusions may be false.

Read More

Elizabethan Lens In Othello

711 Words | 3 Pages

Iago’s intricate crafting of language is propelled by his deceptive behaviour. His ability to fabricate perceptions through the spoken word, creates a false reality, enabling him to control his victims fate. This is evidenced through characters ironically referring to Iago as ‘Honest Iago’, oblivious to his duplicitous nature. Nevertheless, he remains in their good grace whilst achieving his own ends.

Read More

How Is Iago A Psychopath

896 Words | 4 Pages

Iago is one of Shakespeare’s most notorious villains in “The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice” and is noted for his deceitfulness along with his malicious manipulation. What makes Iago a unique villain is that he actively seeks opportunities to ruin others' lives regardless of any reason while most villains are driven by a rational desire. Iago is sadistic for his own sake and repeatedly displays characteristics of a psychopath; however, Iago is nothing more than a fictional character, but many like him live in modern-day society. Shakespeare captures the psychological workings of evil through Iago because he exemplifies the characteristics of a psychopath.

Read More

The Irony Of Honest Iago In Shakespeare's Othello

1277 Words | 6 Pages

Though given the nickname “Honest Iago”, his acts throughout William Shakespeare's, Othello, is not so honest. Iago is an intelligent, convincing, and manipulative man. He enjoys feeding off of people's misery especially when something is in it for him. His intelligence allows him to convince people using the sway of his words so fluently and make them blind to the truth by eluting them with false appearances and telling half truths. This allows him to numerous characters throughout Othello by using their personal beliefs, jealous tendencies, and misleading them into false assumptions by twisting the truth around in his own words in a way that will be beneficial to himself.

Read More

Othello Deception Essay

844 Words | 4 Pages

Ultimately leads to Othello's tragic decision to kill his wife and himself. The play serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of believing in and acting on deceptive beliefs and the importance of trusting in one's judgment and the truth. One of the main perpetrators of deception in Othello is the character of Iago, and it truly demonstrates why one should trust one's inner beliefs. To start, Iago is jealous of Cassio's

Read More

Othello Passage Analysis

923 Words | 4 Pages

The following passage is significant to the play ‘Othello’ in retrospect to the plot progression, as it reiterates themes and introduces important facets to the plot development. Through Iago’s cunning manipulation and Shakespeare’s crafting of language, this passage is constructed as a pivotal point of the play, marking the transition of Othello’s personality and revealing his deepest insecurities that eventually lead to his downfall and tragic ending. Iago wields a lot of power over all the characters throughout the play, but in this passage in particular he is presented at his most powerful. The passage is riddled with subtle suggestions and insinuations by Iago to raise Othello’s suspicions of his wife’s fidelity, opening with the admonition to “beware, my lord, of jealousy!

Read More

Theme Of Dishonesty In Othello

750 Words | 3 Pages

In the play Othello, William Shakespeare creates an elaborate tragedy with various in depth characters, enhancing the story with powerful characterization. Iago, the main antagonist of Othello, exemplifies Shakespeare’s use of characterization to create in depth and complex characters. Using his manipulative nature, intellectual mind, egotistical attitude, and dishonesty, Iago controls the other characters in order to achieve his goal, leading Othello to succumb to an overwhelming jealousy causing his downfall. In order for Iago to gain control of the characters in the play, he manipulates Othello, Roderigo, Cassio, and more to believe false information and turn on one another.

Read More

The Dark Side Of Human Nature In Shakespeare's Othello

517 Words | 3 Pages

Human nature is perceived as a delightful entity. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, several characters demonstrate the dark side of human nature and display how simple it is to get carried away with emotions. This includes Iago, who only cares for himself, Brabantio who has many doubts, and Roderigo who lacks intellect. Firstly, Iago demonstrates the dark side of human nature by being self-centered.

Read More

Iago's Influence On Othello

436 Words | 2 Pages

Thus, Iago has been described by critics as a director; although Iago should rather be described as a symbol of Satan, as he is sly and cunning in his ways, has selfish desires and will take any measure to achieve his goal, even murder. Iago is shown throughout the play to be the true mastermind behind an intricate plot to destroy his master, Othello, of which he is successful, but only through his characteristics, abilities and ingeniousness which allow him to take control of the direction of the

Read More

Othello Act 3 Scene 3 Analysis

982 Words | 4 Pages

Iago’s powerfully disruptive insinuations torment Othello to fall precipitously into his intricate trap, believing in the prospect of Cassio and Desdemona’s fictitious affair. Through the use of linguistic techniques such as elliptical speech, subservient vocative choices and a hesitant tone, Iago is able to construct artful innuendoes to deceive and manipulate Othello. Supplementary to linguistic techniques, dramatic techniques such as dramatic irony reinforces Iago’s role as a two-faced villain, who is making a pretence of being Othello’s loyal ensign. Eventually, Iago’s villainy nature sows a seed of doubt in Othello that germinates into the murder of Desdemona. Through the characterisation of Iago as a notorious villain, Shakespeare is able to hold Iago’s actions accountable for the play’s tragic downfall, establishing a sense of powerlessness amongst the

Read More

More about False Identity Othello

Related Topics

Open Document