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What is dramatic irony in Othello drama
What is dramatic irony in Othello drama
Example of irony in othello
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Othello, one of the main characters in the play is a very trusting person causing him to be easily manipulated by others. Iago, a flag bearer and a friend to Othello uses his trustworthy persona against him to get revenge on him for not giving him the job as lieutenant. One of his manipulation tactics is to tell Othello that his wife is having an affair with a man named Cassio. In the play, Iago begins to talk to Othello about his proof that his wife is actually cheating on him by telling him, that Desdemona gave a handkerchief to Cassio, in which Othello gave to her that was passed on by his parents. Othello was not happy about that which ultimately lead Othello to be disrespectful towards Desdemona by hitting her, constantly calling her a whore and later killing her for thinking that she was cheating on him with Cassio (Shakespeare 1603).
Then once Montano comes to intervene the fight Cassio turns to fight Montano. This ruckus awakes Othello and Othello requires Iago to tell the story. Iago says it's basically all Cassio’s fault, so Othello takes Cassio’s position as lieutenant. Later on, Cassio pleads to Desdemona to tell Othello to give him his job back. The pleads Desdemona gives to Othello makes Othello think Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair.
"(IV.i.78-88). In these lines Iago tells Othello that he will question Cassio about Desdemona, he tells Othello to watch from afar and pay attention to Cassio's facial expressions when he speaks of her. The reader knows Iago is actually asking Cassio about Bianca, however, Othello is too far away to hear what is actually being said and thinks Cassio is talking about Desdemona. This added to Othello's jealousy, making him more certain that his wife was cheating on him with
Iago uses very clever methods of persuasion and manipulation aimed to use Othello’s hamartia against him, pointing out that “ “She (Desdemona) did deceive her father, marrying you,” so much so that Brabantio “thought ’twas witchcraft”. Through this, Iago is subtly raising the issues of Othello’s cultural differences with Desdemona; a root cause behind Othello’s insecurities with his wife – along with inadequacy due to race, degree of sophistication and age. As Iago prompts Othello to think the worst, his utterances are short and uneasy, revealing the beginning to his downfall, whilst Iago’s dialogue is at length highlighting his growing power of
Othello sends his servant, a clown, or peasant, to tell the musicians to go away. Cassio asks the clown to entreat Emilia to come speak with him, so that he can ask her for access to Desdemona. When the clown leaves, Iago enters and tells Cassio that he will send for Emilia straightaway and figure out a way to take Othello aside so that Cassio and Desdemona can confer privately. After Iago exits, Emilia enters and tells Cassio that Othello and Desdemona have been discussing his case. Desdemona has pleaded for Cassio, but Othello worries that Montano’s influence and popularity in Cyprus would make Cassio’s reappointment impractical, no matter how much Othello cares for his former lieutenant.
The job is complete in terms of getting Cassio relieved, but he continues to strategize. “For whiles this honest fool/ Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune, / And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor, / I’ll pour this pestilence in his ear” (2.3.341-4). Iago has set the trap for Cassio to ask Desdemona to possibly try to change Othello’s mind which will lead to Othello believing that they are having an affair. From this point on, the ultimate plan has begun and the pace speeds up.
He expresses his jealousy for Cassio when he says that Othello “already chose [his] officer” who he calls “One Michael Cassio, a Florentine” who “never set a squadron in the field.” Iago believes he should have gotten the promotion because he had more military experience and training. After he gets Cassio drunk and dismissed from service, he devises a plan to manipulate Othello into believing he is cheating with Desdemona in order that Cassio never gets his position again or even killed. Iago also hears a rumor that Othello slept with his
In Act 4, Iago lies to Othello saying,“What if I had said I had seen him do you wrong?” convincing Othello of Desdemona and Cassio’s affair (4.1.24). Iago knows Othello’s jealousy overwhelms him at the thought of Cassio and Desdemona, giving Iago control over Othello’s emotions and
But, Othello did not seem to think so. This caused Iago to feel like he wasn 't appreciated and he vowed to get revenge on Othello. He got his revenge by working Othello 's mind to believe that Desdemona was cheating on him with Cassio. After Iago got Cassio drunk one night, Cassio lost his place as lieutenant. Iago suggested that he go plead to Desdemona to show her he is a good man, and then she would convince Othello.
But never more be officer of mine. — (II.iii.210-214) refers to Act 2 Scene 3. This demonstrates Othello’s trust in Iago because he was the one to talk most and also provide more on what happened to the situation since he is the one that planned the whole thing. Throughout the rest of the story after Othello demoting Cassio as officer, Iago’s whole plan is to cause problems between
Iago uses Roderigo to inform Brabantio about the relationship his precious daughter Desdemona has with a moor Othello. Iago’s initial intention is the downfall of Othello and get the position, as a lieutenant, he wants. Throughout the play, Iago continuously manipulates Othello by showing him false proofs and telling him rumors about Desdemona and Cassio. “I know not that, but such a handkerchief - I am sure it was your wife’s -
Othello starts to believe Iago’s lies about his friends and wife, leading Othello to change his behavior towards his closest allies. Iago instigates a fight between Cassio and Montano, and Othello must take charge of his soldiers, he says: Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee But never more be officer of mine. (2.3.210-213) Othello makes the decision to fire Cassio, and things get worse when Iago makes his wife, Emilia, steal Desdemona 's handkerchief.
Iago also manipulates Othello with jealousy. When Othello is gone at war, Iago tells him that Cassio and Desdemona were getting too close. At first Othello does not believe him, but by Iago saying “nothing,my lord; or if- I know not what” Othello starts to question if it is true (III. III. 39). Iago constantly uses his “innocence” to make Othello jealous and start to assume that it is true. These actions eventually lead to a tragic event.
Othello’s life transforms the second he steps into Cyprus. Iago’s motives are devastating as he plan’s to take Othello’s position, regardless of the cost. Iago plants the seed of deceit and unfaithfulness when he hints of an affair involving Othello’s love, Desdemona and Cassio. An overwhelming feeling of jealously takes a hold in Othello’s life. Othello is no longer the well spoken, and respected army general that everyone knew him to be, but instead a short tempered man with little respect for
As a scheming villain, Iago begins to ensnare Othello into his trap of vengeance by echoing in Othello’s mind prospect of an affair between Cassio and Desdemona. Iago begins his insinuations by reminding Othello that Cassio served as their go-between during their courtship through a rhetorical