Irony In Shakespeare's Othello

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

Figuring out oneself and his or her identity is an obstacle that more than likely every person faces in life. There is much confusion someone can have regarding sexuality, beliefs, and even something as simple as personality. Even in the 1600s, people were unsure about their personal makeup and how they genuinely wanted to display themselves; ambiguity is not a new complication. Many of the characters in Shakespeare’s Othello are confused as to who they really are as individuals and the genuine attributes they exhibit, for the subjects of misconception, insecurity, and gender play significant roles in supporting the theme of identity in the play. The state of confusion is very prevalent throughout the play, seeing that almost no one seems

In Act 1 of Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare there are many characters introduced, a theme presented and the demonstration of dramatic irony. Three of the characters that are introduced are Juliet who is an innocent young girl, Romeo who is fickle and Benvolio, who is a peacemaker. In scene three of act one, Lady Capulet says to Juliet, “How stands your disposition to be married?” (1.3.70).

The play “Tartuffe” by Moliere, is one of the is one of the most famous of theatrical productions of its type. The plot centers on the main character, Orgon, and the fact that his family has fallen under the spell of the charismatic Tartuffe. Orgon and his family end up being beholden to Tartuffe in that everything they do is run by him first. This is despite the fact that the rest of the family despises him and is well aware that he is a fraud. Throughout this satirical work, a comedy of errors occurs which contributes to the overall comedy of the play.

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.

Romeo and Juliet is the story of two “star-crossed lovers” (Shakespeare 807), from Verona, who desperately wanted to be together, which resulted in the tragic deaths of six peoples of the Montague and Capulet families. The play would not have had the same effect if there was not dramatic irony, though. Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something, like an important event, that one or more of the actors on stage are unaware of. Within the conversations between Juliet and Lady Capulet and Balthasar and Romeo, dramatic irony is expressed and makes the scenes more powerful.

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 . . .

That if she lied to her father then why wouldn’t she lie to him? Iago uses this quote to tell Othello that she will deceive him and doesn’t love him like she used to. Soon after in this same scene Iago says this, “Men should be what they seem; Or those that be not would they might seem none!” (Shakespeare iii, III, 130). This is ironic since Iago isn’t at all what he seems and he doesn’t look like the evil that he is. Here Iago uses irony to use reverse phycology on Othello. He says this to make Othello question the man Desdemona is “having an affair with”. This line also influences Othello into thinking that Iago is his friend manipulating him into thinking Iago is saying things in Othello’s best

Manipulation is one of; if not the greatest strength Iago has to offer in his friendship to Othello. Due to his position he is able to accomplish much in the art of deception and ultimately succeeds in bringing destruction to Othello’s life. Through his expertise in applied psychology he is able to convince a handful of people to act on their own intensified emotions and insecurities. In this way, his manipulation is tactfully accomplished.

In this particular passage, there are three main aspects which are relevant to the development of the plot. These are Othello’s trust in Iago to take care of Desdemona while he cannot and his never ending faith and complete trust in him, the first seed of doubt of Desdemona planted in Othello’s head, and Iago’s harsher and harsher crudeness.

When accused by Othello of her unfaithfulness, Desdemona states “I never did / Offend you in my life; never loved Cassio / But with such general warranty of heaven / As I might love. I never gave him token” (5.2.63-66). Desdemona was not guilty of committing adultery, but the “absence of viable options” (Vanita 344) left her as “A Women Killed with Kindness” (Vanita 341). Othello did not care to hear what she had to say because he does not think women have a voice to express themselves. Therefore, Desdemona “is destroyed by a jealous, sexually insecure husband who not only fails to investigate fully the charges leveled against his wife but also believes he is completely justified in vengefully punishing her for her supposed disloyalty” (Gruesser 108). She was nothing but kind and true, but once another man had told a lie to Othello that his wife had been unfaithful, he’s mind could not be persuaded by the true words she has told him. Desdemona marks that her death is her own fault and got closure from accepting the identity the women unjustly hold in society (Corporaal

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.

He knew what was right and what wasn’t; a perpetuator of justice on and off of the battlefield. From the first day he arrived at Venice, his principles and wisdom have contributed to our success immeasurably. His love and passion towards fair Desdemona was reciprocated much to disbelief of many, including her father who could only rationalise their affection as sorcery. Unfortunately, Othello’s love for Desdemona was challenged as he was convinced falsely that she had committed the sin of adultery. Othello had reasoned that it was necessary for him to bring justice to her. After her passing, once aware of Iago’s lies Othello had admitted to his mistake and maintained his devotion to principles and had taken his life as well, as the most noble and honourable form of apology he could have

Revenge: Justification | Peanut Butter: Jelly Revenge is defined as to exact punishment or expiation for a wrong on behalf of oneself. Whether it be as extensive as death or something as small as your sibling steals a candy bar from oneself. In society, Revenge plays a prominent role. Often times one can recognize that revenge is the driving force behind large amounts of action.

Ann Cook writes, “In this case of course, one knows that Desdemona is innocent. Everyone knows that. Granted, there are resonances, ironies, nuances, and levels of understanding that be reached only through a thorough knowledge of a the whole action.” (Cook 187). While Desdemona is unaware of why Othello, her once loving and adoring husband is now treating her so harshly. In her own words she defends the fact that she is an “honest wife”. Even on her death bed, she still continues to defend her virtue when she states, “A guiltless death I die” (5.2.125). In spite of the fact that this was not their desire, even in their marriage, Desdemona remained chaste and innocent. As Alexander Edward Leggatt states and explains, “The divinity of Desdemona is likewise figurative for most of the play; she may be as good and beautiful as an angel, but she is a woman. However, it is one of the play’s grimmer ironies that – just as Desdemona’s sexual nature begins to matter to Othello when his jealousy begins – so the figurative language of religion that touches Desdemona begins to intensify as Othello’s jealousy takes hold.” (Leggatt 844). Therefore, it is double the irony that Othello not only murders his wife for sleeping with another man, but the fact that he murders his wife who has not even slept with him. Like so many agree that Desdemona’s death was unfair Faber writes and explains, “To plead, to weep