Role Of Diction In Othello

Every single person is different. This is indisputable, but what exactly differentiates one individual from another? Many elements help define who someone is such as their appearance or the way they present themselves through their actions, but most of all through their language. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, all the characters possess unique routes of expression executed by their word choices, thus contributing to their character. However, positive or negative factors may influence the development of someone’s character. Throughout the play, Iago portrays himself as malicious, while Othello portrays himself as affectionate through his own use of diction, but everything changes as Othello is baited by Iago’s lies and begins to mirror, in his actions and words, the evil Iago embodies. Toward the beginning of the play, Iago and Othello appear to be complete opposites. In terms of good and evil, Iago depicted himself as evil through his harsh word choices, while with sentimental word choices Othello conveyed the good. Immediately, Iago reveals his monstrous character, full of hatred, without a drop of shame as he declares, “I hate the Moor” (1.3.386). This specific diction,“hate” informs the audience of his pessimistic feelings and unwillingness

For instance, as the play begins, Othello uses attentive words which allows the audience to believe he is good, since he demonstrates how caring and loving he is to Desdemona. On the opposite scale, there is Iago who begins and ends with using revolting language, which further contributes to the malicious character he has created by his diction. However, Othello tragically transforms into another version of Iago. This is evidently shown through the overlapping diction expressed. Othello calls Desdemona a “weed” a “strumpet” and a “whore” which coincides with what Iago would also