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Othello Appearance Vs Reality Essay

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Appearance vs reality is a theme in the Shakespearean tragedy Othello, and it is one of the most

capturing themes in the play. Appearance vs reality is described as how and what someone appears to

be, versus who the person really is. In Othello, this theme is demonstrated throughout the play in the

form of allusions, the character of Iago, and Iago’s puppeteering.

Appearance vs reality is evident throughout Othello though Janus’s referral, a comparison of

Spartan dogs to Iago, and the Goddess of Chastity. Firstly, Iago’s allusion to Janus. Iago refers to Janus,

the two-faced God of Roman mythology, and swears to Janus in a way that he himself is the two-faced

god, portraying a false appearance to depict opposing realities, this is shown …show more content…

The theme is also shown through Iago revealing to Roderigo, Iago’s soliloquy and Iago talking to

Cassio. Firstly, Iago reveals his plan to Roderigo and states that he may seem to love and obey Othello,

but really he’s serving him to get what he wants, “Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago;/ In following

him, I follow but myself/. . . But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve/ For daws to peck at. I am not what

I am.” (1.1.58-59, 65-66). Not far after his comment Iago initiates his plan and manipulates Othello so

that he sees the appearance Iago wants him to see, rather than the reality of what’s actually happening.

Iago’s plan itself demonstrates the definition of appearance vs reality. Iago can easily be seen as one of

the most critical characters that builds the theme appearance vs reality in the play. Secondly, Iago

speaks about Othello in one of his soliloquys stating that he observes him as overly trusting, and that …show more content…

Here, Iago is talking to himself and figures that

Othello is so easy to manipulate because of his readiness to believe any appearance, even though the

reality of it will be false, this ends up working out great for Iago because his plan is to feed Othello lies

and so since Othello is so easily ready to believe anything, Iago can conceal the reality that is happening.

Lastly, Iago talking to Cassio. Iago is pretending to be sincere and not understand why Cassio is feeling

down, but really Iago knows exactly why and is the very reason why, “What, are you hurt, lieutenant?”

(2.3.242). This clearly shows the theme appearance vs reality because Iago is acting all friendly and

ministering to Cassio when in reality Cassio got fired because of Iago.

The theme appearance vs reality is also shown in Othello through a rare case of dramatic

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