Dramatic Irony Used for Characterization in Othello by Shakespeare

Even though Iago did not become lieutenant he still believes he is worth more than what others believe his is. This shows that Iago has a growth mindset and still believe he can be better than Cassio. For example, Carol Dweck states, “When they are not coping with failure, they feel just as worthy and optimistic - and bright and attractive - as people with the growth mindset”(Dweck 53).This shows that Iago is a very determined antagonist in the story and won 't give up until he gets what he feels he deserves. He also proves he has a growth mindset in act one scene one. In act one scene one Iago continues to talk to Roderigo about the lieutenant situation. Iago then states, “O, sir, content you. I follow him to serve my turn upon him. We cannot be truly followed. You shall mark Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave That, doting on his own obsequious bondage, Wears out his time, much like his master’s ass, For naught but provender; and when he’s old, cashiered”(Act one scene one). Iago states that he is only working with Othello to take advantage of him. Iago plans on working under Othello until he is able to use him to become someone far more bigger than he is.

Iago has many reasons to be Jealous of Michael Cassio, he is described as the perfect soldier throughout the book, and not only is Iago furious that Cassio was promoted to lieutenant first, but Iago suspects him, as well as Othello, of having an affair with his wife,

In Act 3 scene I, we see dramatic irony right from the start when the

Iago, being remarkably wise, understood this, explaining to Roderigo: “If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most preposterous conclusions” (Shakespeare 1.3.322-25). People require balance in their life in order to maintain stability, and therefore maintain their sanity. In the same way balance provides structure in one’s life, imbalance can also bring about one’s undoing. Iago was not traditionally at the apex of power in the Elizabethan triangle of power, but every character was still a pawn in his scheme. His manipulation over each character truly put him as the most powerful character, at least until his true intentions were later revealed. Iago deliberately offset the balance in Othello’s life, and manipulated his jealousy in such a way that allowed him to succeed in all that he had planned. His plan would not have otherwise come to fruition had Othello not allowed his emotion to overpower his logic. Iago was able to simultaneously accomplish every goal in exploiting Othello’s jealousy. Iago painted Cassio, the lieutenant, to be Desdemona’s lover behind Othello’s back. In doing this, he won Othello’s trust, ruined Desdemona and Othello’s relationship, as per Roderigo’s payment to him, and eventually became named lieutenant after Cassio’s demotion. Being the cunning manipulator ultimately brought Iago was success in

The character Iago wants to be lieutenant but instead Othello makes him his ensign,Iago doesn’t like that he wants power,he wants to be lieutenant be he knows a lot about military and he’s been in ward more than Cassio.So Iago finds a way to make it happen,he lies and tricks people into thinking he’s helping them but he’s really helping himself.

In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello, Iago demonstrates a mastery of manipulation over people who had previously trusted and confided in him. His sudden turn from Othello’s loyal ensign to rage-filled villain seems indicative of a man who can no longer accept his position in life. Iago’s plotting of Othello’s demise starts as idle talk of a disgruntled 28 year-old career military man passed over for promotion. Iago believes that such a promotion may never come after Othello rejects his candidacy and makes it clear that he did not believe him suitable. He sees Othello is only concerned with personal and political gain with his choice of Cassio as lieutenant. When Iago teams with love-scorned and desperate Roderigo, he begins

Iago is not the same when he is with Othello but Iago’s character totally changes when he is not with Othello. When Iago finds out that Othello appointed Cassio as his lieutenant, Iago is extremely envious and he plots a plan against Othello by deceiving the trust that they both carry. “I’ll put this pestilence into his ear.” (II.iii.334). This refers to Iago plotting to say his lies to Othello which demonstrates Iago being overwhelmed by jealousy. Iago puts all the falsehood into the general’s ear which becomes easier for him to do as Othello puts his full trust on the rival. Iago is a harsh and a coldblooded man that wants revenge through his master by plotting an atrocious plan and putting all falsehood into his ear just to obtain the higher position.

In the play Othello, Shakespeare uses many literary devices to help the reader understand the theme of the story. One of those many literary devices used in the play, is the wide range of irony. Throughout the pages of the book the reader will see the use of dramatic, situational, and verbal irony. Shakespeare does not use irony in an understated way, it is very direct, and can be found on almost every page of the book. The use of irony creates suspense, and adds interest as to what will happen.

Since the two used to be so intimate, the key to understanding Iago’s superobjective is to understand what made him harbor such hatred for Othello. To put it simply, Iago was hurt that Othello gave Cassio the lieutenant job instead of giving to him. At face value, that reason doesn’t seem to be a strong enough motive to destroy another man’s life. There had to have been more to this than just the fact that Iago didn’t get a promotion. Iago “believes Cassio got the appointment because of an old friendship with Desdemona, and probably because he carried messages between Othello and Desdemona during their courtship.” (Crawford). Iago, knowing this, felt as if the entire system of military honor and merit had crumbled. Had the promotion been based on merit, Iago would’ve gotten the job, because “…[Othello’s] eyes had seen the proof/ At

William Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice is a play of great manipulation and jealousy. Iago is the antagonist character of the play Othello. Iago becomes irate and filled with jealousy when Othello names Michael Cassio as his lieutenant, because Iago believed he should have been the one promoted not Michael Cassio. By manipulating everyone around him, Iago portrays himself as an honest noble man whom can be trusted. Iago being known for the honest man he earns everyone’s trust and therefore learns their weakness for his ultimate plan of destruction. Iago’s greatest skill is disguising his manipulative schemes of destroying and betraying the ones around him with what he leads people to believe as honesty. Iago uses their

As our world progresses further into the future with increasingly complicated and advanced technology, one fact remains true throughout history; Communication is key. Centuries away from the time period of Shakespeare, now looking back at his play Othello, this fact seems more evident than ever. Through a relatively short five acts, observers and readers alike are able to witness countless instances of miscommunication and dramatic irony between the characters throughout the play. The perceptive reader is quickly able to realize the immense power of the words spoken between the principal characters and contrast them effects of said words. As brilliantly put by renowned author Yehuda Berg; “Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to

Introduction: William Shakespeare effectively uses dramatic irony to intrigue the reader and deepen the impact of the consequences Macbeth ultimately faces.

Iago is the creator of this elaborate analogy throughout the play. He uses this analogy specifically when he is speaking about or to Othello and Roderigo. He uses the analogy of him being a “master gardener” cultivating his garden to extenuate how good he is at controlling others and his own behavior in order to get his desired outcome. Iago comments on his willpower when he says: “Our bodies are our gardens, to which our wills are gardeners; so that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme . . .

In the most figurative of senses, Othello says that if a person has been robbed without noticing anything, it is the same as if they have not been robbed at all. This assertion by Othello serves to highlight the moral issue of what stealing is. Although being robbed literally is not good, Othello’s assertion actually implies an opinion on the age-old question of if ignorance is bliss. Othello is correct since if you can stay ignorant about the missing item forever, the robbery never happened to your mind in the first place.

Iago can be regarded as the most powerful among Shakespeare’s evil characters. He is the zenith of villainy one has ever come across. Iago is a military officer who feels that he has been wronged by Othello, his commanding officer. The latter’s decision to appoint Michael Cassio for the post of