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Othello Soliloquy Analysis

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Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello holds one of the most mischievous characters who uses his higher social status of self appointed attributes. The dialogue of Othello constructs Iago’s character to be seen as “honest Iago” with this consistently being repeated throughout the play. Whilst this is said of Iago and is even said by himself, he treats others as though they are unintelligent and foolish. His cruelty towards the other characters in the play can be seen by the audience due to his soliloquy’s. Soliloquys are often long interrupted speeches, in which Iago stands alone on the stage and expresses his thoughts or plans out loud. Within Iago’s soliloquys dramatic irony is conveyed to the audience as they are told the future events of the play, or Iago’s plans, in which other characters don’t know. The soliloquy above, placed at the beginning of the play, outlines the relationships and past relationships between certain characters, the relationship breakdown between Iago and Emilia and also Iago’s indication of the plans he is going to act out throughout the rest of the play.

The feelings of Iago comes at the beginning of this soliloquy, beginning with a bold statement about ‘The baseness I do feel’ presenting to Iago to have real emotions and to be more humane compared to how he is represented throughout the rest of play. By adding this emotional component to the play, the audience is able to establish his character to seem more, making his acts of revenge all the more so

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