Power Of Language In Othello

Words embody power, giving people enough credibility to destroy or uplift others. In Othello, words are the prime weapon used to destroy Othello and his future. Iago refers to Othello as “Such a thing as thou…,” “knee-crooking knave,” and “abuser of the world” (Shakespeare I.ii.57, I.i.22, I.ii.62). Iago uses these words against Othello, even though he is simply Othello’s advisor, to create a power over him. Iago manipulates people and situations with words, destroying them in the process. Iago uses his words to make people feel a certain way. Iago tells Othello, “I see this hath a little dash’d your spirits…In faith, I fear it has . . . But I do see you’re moved. (III.ii. 166ff). Iago wants bad news

A word’s connotative meaning can have an emotional effect upon an audience; the audience can respond in different ways (emotionally rather than intellectually) when hearing a word rather than reading a word (Taflinger, 1996). Powerful words are used in Othello to ask the audience for a response about their feeling towards the characters in the play. The characters talk directly to the audience through the use of soliloquy. “I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip / Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me” (II.ii.300,303). Iago makes the audience his friends by speaking to them immediately, sharing his secret plots, -motives and -inner thoughts which he keeps secret from the other characters; he makes the audience laugh because he is funny and asks for help when he is in trouble. “How am I then a villain, to council Cassio to this parallel course directly to his good?” (II.iii.239-241). The language device, words as conversation with the audience, also emphasises “dramatic irony” for the audience knows what is going to happen in the play (Krieger,

Humans do not recognize the devastating destruction that words are capable of having when in the right hands. The play Othello, written by William Shakespeare, demonstrates the conceivable power that dwells within words through the character Iago. The character, Iago, has a complete understanding of his victims’ nature down to their essence. In addition, because he does not have any core beliefs or morals, Iago gains the ability to ultimately change his faith and principals. In short, the biggest factor that contributes to Iago’s successful manipulation is his ability to carefully select words in the language.

Iago reminds Othello that he is below him, showing that he is seeking permission to speak his thoughts. Giving Othello the satisfaction of the authority he holds, but the audience is aware that Iago is eager to carry forth his plot and this is his chance to activate the plan with his primary actor. Othello doesn’t realize how true Iago thoughts would be ‘vile and false’

In Act one of the play, Othello is presented to us as the Moor of Venice. He is considered an outsider due to his origination from Africa. However, he occupies a high position of a Moor through his power and leadership role of leading the Venetian armed forces all through his commands. Othello is a trusted character in the play because as a foreigner to Venice the people elect him as the General and perceive him with honor. In most cases, when someone is honored there is always other people who detest of that honor and want the glory given to them. As seen in the play Iago wants to be glorified and will do what is necessary for him to obtain that status. Othello as a trustworthy man consults Iago of his doing and is always truthful to him.

Iago weaves a web of lies, carefully tightening the silk with his deception. Iago is able to lie with ease and trick his victims because he is regarded as the “Honest” Iago and nobody has anything against him, except Rodrigo later on in the play. In Act I Scene I, Iago reveals his hatred for Othello because of not receiving the promotion. Later on in in Act III Scene III, Othello tells Iago that he is

In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, you see how language features are used throughout, to portray important messages. Shakespeare uses imagery to display that hate is the key to jealousy’s destruction and dramatic irony to show us to be careful of who we trust, as trusting someone too much can cause us to be manipulated.

William Shakespeare, an English poet and playwright, is widely regarded as the greatest writer of the English language. With the success in the 16th century, Shakespeare’s works are still widely discussed today. Critics have claimed that Iago is the playwright of Othello, instead of Shakespeare. This statement is to a great extent, true, as Iago is able to use is language to manipulate people’s views and make use of their weakness to his advantage. He is also can make Othello resemble himself in his attitude to women to help him achieve his goal. Iago has the ability to use his words to let the storyline flow.

The Development of the Character of Othello as Shown by his Use of Language and Imagery in William Shakespeare's Play

I believe that Shakespeare does this so that we can be able to explore the main themes front and center. Throughout the plot, Iago is the cause of many, if not all, of the disaster that occurred in Othello. He is the trigger for all the problems and issues between all of the other characters and it comes from his manner of manipulation. “Call up her father, rouse him, make him, poison his delight, proclaim him in the streets; incense his kinsmen , and, though he is fertile climate dwell, plague him with flies. Though that his joy be joy, yet throw such changes of vexation on’t as it may lose some color.” (1.1.74-80) Also, Iago’s manipulation has a butterfly effect on other things that would happen further along in the play. Othello says,”I think thou dost; And, for I know thou'rt full of love and honesty.” (3.3.123) The fact that Iago has manipulated Othello into thinking he is honest when in reality he isn't has a big affect on the plot. Iago’s manipulation, deceitfulness, connivery, and cleverness has caused so much hurt and

Othello, by William Shakespeare explores the manipulative behaviour of Iago and the eventual demise of Othello as he is controlled by jealousy. As we follow the narrative arc, we react to characters and situations with anger and disappointment, expectation and dread, and conflict as we find ourselves respecting the villain. Through language features such as imagery, metaphors, dramatic irony and soliloquies, Shakespeare stirs our emotions.

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.

Othello was a black man on a usual position that was a military general for the state of Venice. He’s one of the most important people in Venice but perceived as an outsider. Originally he was not from Venice; he was a moor which means he’s from North Africa. Othello felt in love with young white Venetian woman named Desdemona. They got married in secret because the society won’t accept this. Iago was Othello chief offices and secretly he hates Othello, the reason behind that he thinks that he deserve the promotion but as Othello as military general passed him over for a promotion. So he decided to inspiration to destroy Othello marriage life with the help of Roderigo .Roderigo was admired Desdemona and he believes that Othello has stolen his love Desdemona from him. Both Iago and Roderigo wanted to revenge from Othello. Iago started to convince Othello that his wife Desdeomona is cheating on him, so Othello started to believe that his wife is cheating on him due to

In Othello, Shakespeare illustrates the importance reality takes place in identifying a person's true character as early as in act one. The play's antagonist, Iago, ostensibly discloses himself to his pawn Roderigo, as his personal confidante. Iago clarifies what he has in store for Othello to Roderigo, "In following him I follow but myself; Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, But seeming so for my peculiar end. For when my outward action doth demonstrate" (1:1, 57-65. Pg 58). Appearing to be trustworthy, Iago explains to him that his plan to destroy Othello is only possible because of the Moor's vulnerability, not because of his love for his higher-up. It is the loyalty, which Othello believes Iago appears to have for him, that makes Iago credible. However, in reality, Iago is dastardly plotting against Othello. This indicates the detrimental effects Shakespeare exemplifies for appearance over reality.

The three language devices – “words as power”, “words as character” and “words as conversation” with the audience – are used to create characters’ identities and fates, and also to drive the plot of the play (Krieger,