The play opens as Iago is telling Roderigo that he hates Othello because Othello has promoted Cassio to be his lieutenant instead of him, even though Cassio 'never set a squadron in the field' and has much less experience. Of course, he misses the identity of the real devil in the situation, Iago. In other words, Iago 2, the truth-teller, reveals what really lies behind Iago 1's blandishments. This signifies that Roderigo is beginning to realize that he has been manipulated. Each plot point is spiraled further into tragedy due to the nature of Iago and his manipulative language towards the other main characters. The storm marks the end of the peaceful part of the play, a signal that Iago's mischief is about to begin. Well occasionally send you promo and account related email. He speaks of Desdemona as being "sport for Jove," and "full of game" (II.iii.17-19); his depiction of Desdemona rings false, as does his attempt to insinuate lust into Cassio's mind. Iago mentions the promotion to Roderigo, to convince him that he hates Othello; but Iago also cites his suspicions that Emilia and Othello have had an affair as another reason for his enmity. He is going to ruin her credit with Othello by spreading rumors of her cheating. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Othello by William Shakespeare. What you know, you know. situation and in Othello's statement, "Iago is most honest."(II, iii, 7) 14. Iago is saying this to the audience. Topics covered include: Getting started Making a case Examination essays Achieving clarity Written in the authors accomplished, student-friendly style, The Basics of Essay Writing is full of practical tips and guidance. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Roderigo remarks, "That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine." [Act I, Scene I, Line 2]. . Auden once said, "There is more than meets the eye", suggesting that there may be a hidden or deeper meaning behind a person's initial appearance. Iago had been using Roderigo for his money and none of the gifts and jewels Roderigo gave Iago to give to Desdemona actually reached her. How does the. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. "So will I turn her virtue into pitch / and out of her own goodness make the rest / that shall enmesh them all" (Scene 3, lines 351-353) What does this quote mean? One strategy for helping students to focus on the details of Iago's language would be to provide them with a handout of the key rhetorical terms to be used throughout the reading of Othello. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. He commits suicide claiming that His only crime was loving too much. Iago then later describes this in his soliloquy as divinity of hell, as this is devilish acts being carries out. Roderigo takes a decision to drown himself. He even threatens to "seek satisfaction" with Iago if he finds out that Iago is lying. The rhyming couplets in which Iago expresses his misogynistic insults lend them an eerie, alienating quality, and Desdemona's active encouragement of Iago is somewhat puzzling. More. Throughout the play, Iago leads Roderigo by the collar professing that he "hate(s) the Moor" [Act I, Scene III, Line 344] and telling Roderigo to "make money" [Act I, Scene III, Line 339] to give Desdemona gifts to win her over. Who said the quote? Instant PDF downloads. In the order of their appearance, list the characters who arrive from Venice in Scene 1. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. "With as little a web as this I will ensnare as great a fly as Cassio," he says; indeed, the simile speaks truly of his intent, and of his true powers of "invention" (II.i.168-169). The Folger Shakespeare Libraryoffers an extensive archive of lesson plans on Othello. Iago's perception of women as deceptive, dominating, and lusty colors the way he portrays both Emilia and Desdemona; both are good women, Desdemona exceedingly so, yet he is able to convince other men that they are anything but what they are. in the situation and in Othello's statement, "Iago is most honest." (Act II, Scene III, line 7) 2. When devils will the blackest sins put on, They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, As I do now In this Iagos mentions that even Satan disguises himself as an angel, just as he does now. What might have been a reason for Shakespeare to employ this change at the end of the act? Iago 4. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. In this lesson, students explore the basis of Iago's persuasive power by analyzing his astonishing command of rhetoric and figurative language. How does the language change? To Othello and the others, Iago pretends not to understand how the whole fight came about, but he defends Cassio, saying that Cassio surely received from "him that fled" (Roderigo) some "strange indignity, / Which patience could not pass." The following three passages will examine how language hides and reveals something about Othello, Iago and Desdemona, and how it is ultimately the downfall of the characters. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. (2020, Jun 02). An illustration of a heart shape Donate. In class, reread the passages cited above. Iago's facility with language reveals his cunning and intelligence, and makes his manipulation of Othello believable. The two pass the time, waiting for news, and Iago watches, planning to catch Cassio in his . Meanwhile, despite Iago's demands that she obey him and be quiet. This way Roderigo will have a chance with Desdemona and express his love to her. Othello. Sign Language: True Language for the Deaf, Death of a salesman --- character of Willy Loman and his relation with his wife, sons, friends and his extra marital affair. Iago asks if Cassio knew who he was chasing after, but Cassio says that he can't remember anything distinctly. Using examples from the beginning of the scene, explain the differences between how Othello speaks about and to Desdemona and how Cassio and Iago discuss the current "situation" between Othello and Desdemona. Analyze dialogue for what is and is not stated to determine motive, meaning, and characteristics of the players. Yet, at the same time, when he tells of stabbing the Turk, he also stabs himself. Iago uses his deft and astute strategic acts of manipulation to undermine each characters weaknesses. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. The first of many examples of Iagos manipulation occurs in Scene 1, Act 1. "Reputation is a most idle and false imposition," Iago says; but this statement is a false consolation (II.iii.268-269). What in-formation do Roderigo and Iago give to Brabantio regarding Des-demona . Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Or, if the technology is available at your school, you could display. Active Themes Othello searches his chamber and finds a sword. What emotion does Iago play on to get Roderigo to provoke Cassio? Othello arrives to see about the commotion, and finding Cassio at fault, dismisses him from his position. Roderigo is a simple-minded fool who believes that by giving money to a lowly ensign he can win the love of Desdemona, have her marriage to Othello dissolved, and restore her virtue. Contract details: Hourly rate: 10.77 PAYE. To whom was it addressed? Later on in the play we find that Iago refers to those he resents as whip me such honest knaves the fact that he uses deception of honesty for his trickery to take place means that through honesty he is able to control those around him almost like pawns in a chest game. Start date: May 2022. During the time of Shakespeare, females were often treated and viewed in society as second-rate to men. This is where the audience is aware that this is in fact false and therefore dramatic irony. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. "If consequence do but approve my dream, my boat sails freely, both with wind and stream" (II.iii.63-64). Both Othello and Cassio wildly misjudge Iago, revealing just how duplicitous Iago is. Othello essays are academic essays for citation. He uses this particularly well with Roderigo and Othello. Iago uses this metaphor to manipulate Roderigo into going to Desdemona's father and telling him that his daughter is married to the Moor, Othello. In Act 3 Scene 3, lines 143-168, Iago is setting the thought process in motion in Othello's head with sort of making him 2nd guess himself in believing what Iago is telling him. Iago's speech also plays on Othello's insecurities perfectly; he speaks of Othello's age, race, and manners as reasons why Desdemona will grow tired of him, which are also reasons why Othello fears he might lose her. Kill him, kill her/Iago. By refusing to speak, Iago retains some of the directorial control of events that he has striven for throughout: he never reveals his inner reality to the other characters. Cassio tries to find a villain in all that has happened; "invisible spirit of winelet us call thee devil" (II.iii.282-283). Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. To whom was it addressed? The Turkish attack may have been quelled, but it also bodes badly for Othello's ship. Identify the correct term or person that best matches the following description. Yet, the audience knows exactly what Iago is up to, and is able to see his deceptions for what they are. Iago says this to Othello. The news that Cassio has killed Roderigo is the first sign of Iago's plots unraveling. Capstone Assignment #2: Two Paper Topic Ideas, For further evidence of Iago's successful persuasive techniques, one might also profitably examine Iago's interactions with Roderigo (see. Behind his faade as a trustworthy ensign and friend, Iago is a multilayered, deceptive and manipulative villain, concocting chaos and causing mishaps toother characters for revenge. The diverse set of activities below include short group performances, writing exercises, and the guided use of online dictionaries and concordances to study Shakespeare's language. This statement appeals to Roderigos sense of pride in his character. 1. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Cassio 2. One of Iagos mentionings as follows I havet. Either as an in-class exercise or as a homework assignment, students can use worksheet 2, In class, the teacher should focus on Iago's introduction of the words "jealousy," "cuckold" and "monster" into his rhetoric. They spot a ship coming forth; but Iago, Desdemona, and Emilia are on it, not Othello. Iago's speech style Language is the source of Iago's power, but his characteristic idiom is different from Othello's. It is full of colloquialisms and oaths, befitting a cynical soldier. are among the most famous in the play. His language dehumanizes the Turks and makes them seem animal, echoing Brabantio's dismissal of Othello in front of the Duke. Teachers and parents! All of the characters in this scene, misled about each other by Iago, now do exactly what Iago wants them to do. Encouraging patience, Iago subtly reinforces the parallel between his plots and drama in general: both need time to come to their climaxes. "I will turn her virtue into pitch," he says of Desdemona, hearkening back to the light/dark imagery earlier in the act. an academic expert within 3 minutes. Othello arrives at last, and is very glad to see his wife arrived, much earlier than expected; he and Desdemona make public signs of their love, and then depart. This will help Iago hint that Desdemona and Cassio are together, which will enrage Othello. In the third scene of the third act, Iago's use of language makes him very visible to the audienceby this point the audience is well aware that Iago is jealous of . and then Add to Home Screen. As the enraged and drunken Cassio attempts to attack Roderigo, Montano steps in to stop him. They drowned and were defeated in battle. What does he say to Cassio privately? He knows exactly what to say and when to say it to incite jealousy within anyone he wishes. To what extent has Othello become a tragic hero. Othello, now comprehending everything, shows frank, deep remorse. Othello keeps up his strong, quiet dignity in contrast to Iago's flurry of manipulations. Find the misspelled word in each sentence. Iago's opinions show his perceived superiority in his character. How does Othello react to the disturbance? Proprietors were able to make their own laws in the colonies. *The Temple of Abbath or - 1st Level Adventure - In which the Fey He is a ladies man, he is loyal to Othello, he has a weakness for alcohol, Iago urges Roderigo to provoke Cassio by telling him that, Iago and Cassio (Iago - manipulative, hates women // Cassio - loves women, manipulated), In Scene 3, Othello becomes angry with Cassio because, while supervising the watch, Cassio got into a fight. Othello is the main culprit, and thus the plot was focused on Othellos downfall, but also Roderigo as he too had feelings for Desdemona. At the end of the court scene in the first act, Iago and Roderigo are left alone with the poor doting lover in great despair. Iago and Cassio are on the watch together; Iago gets Cassio to drink, knowing that he cannot hold his liquor. Perceptiveness is yet another motif in the play; it helps Iago do all of his dirty deeds, yet condemns Othello and Cassio when they cannot muster up enough of it to see that Iago is up to no good. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Women are "wildcats in your kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended"; he even declares that they "rise to play, and go to bed to work" (II.i.110-114). He reassures Cassio that Othello is only angry, and will soon forgive him, Iago misleads everyone by pretending to be innocent of how the fight began and by pretending to be sympathetic to Cassio, when in actual fact, Iago was the one responsible for it all. "He'll be as full of quarrel and offense as my young mistress' dog" (II.iii.51-52). They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Also, ask students to examine and write down Iago's reasons for wishing to appear false to Othello (see especially 1.1.833; I.3.368386; and 2.1.268294). In short, Othello is an "other," and the fact that he is a Moor surrounded by Italians and Cypriots only emphasizes his difference. Delivering the pre-set work. The Turks are forced to give up their attack on Cyprus, and the Venetian ships return in triumph. He plays on Roderigo's anger and Cassio's low tolerance of alcohol. (including. 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