The Irony of William Shakespeare's Othello Essay

There are many more examples that use dramatic irony to further support the theme and prompt of revenge. “I hate the moor...will do as if for surety” (pg. 55). This is one of the reasons that Iago gives for justifying his revenge against Othello. Another example, is when Emilia believes that somebody is telling Othello lies about Desdemona. “The Moor’s abused...scurvy fellow” (pg.203). Emilia wants to get revenge on who may be telling lies to Othello about Desdemona. Which is ironic because, it is her own husband. Lastly, “I kissed thee ere I killed thee...to die upon a kiss” (pg.265). Othello obtained revenge for killing his wife

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragic story about two lovers who are from two disputing families, and their eventual suicides. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony throughout the play to create tension for the audience and foreshadow the ending. Dramatic irony is when the words or actions of characters in a story have a different meaning to the reader than to the characters. This is because the reader knows something that the characters do not. Romeo and Juliet’s death could have been prevented if the characters in the story weren’t so ignorant of their situations, and often times the reader recognizes this.

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

Lastly, Iago uses sarcasm when talking to Othello. When Othello questions him Iago repeats what Othello just said. Othello then tells Iago how “… not find Cassio’s kisses on her lips…” then says that Iago is wrong in his accusation. Iago replies “I am sorry to hear this.” When someone hears this they automatically think back right away and begin to think the worst outcome of the situation. Iago’s sarcasm shows Othello that Iago is pretty confident in himself being right on his justification. Later Othello questions himself on the

   In Othello, Shakespeare explores the relationship between words and events. Spoken thought, in the play, has all the power of action; speaking about an event will make that event become reality for those who hear - it will affect reality as if that event had taken place. Shakespeare demonstrates the power of words poignantly through Othello's monologues. Othello struggles with the reality that Iago creates for him. When Othello speaks, he reveals that he is unable to stop himself from carrying out acts that Iago's and his own words have prophesied and initiated. Othello's monologues further demonstrate that even the knowledge of the power of words cannot protect the characters from the

Verbal Irony is when words express something opposite of what is truthfully meant. The first example of verbal irony is whenever her husbands cooks a simple meal she shouts, "Aha! Scotch broth! What could be better?" This is irony because she acts as if she’s happy with the stew when she actually not. Instead as she says this she’s daydreaming of delicacies and a surrounding a higher class filled with silver and dishes upper class worthy. The second occurrence is when Madame Loisel husband comes home with an invitation to the ball and she calmly say, “ I have no dress and so I can't go to this party. Give your invitation to a friend whose wife has better clothes than I do."The reason this is verbal irony is because she makes it seem as if she does not want to go the party when in all actuality she’s trying to get him to buy her a dress for her to go. This is obviously put emphasis on by the way she cries then stops quickly before she makes her calmly toned statement ,which was in a way throwing a tantrum. in this example she’s being sarcastic again because she does not wish for her companion to give the invitation

The verbal irony used in the play is sometimes zany. Some of the lines are found to be the exact opposite of what is actually the truth, but in such a manner is drives the audience crazy. This is especially found between Iago and Othello. Othello would be found saying things as: Honest Iago . . . "(V.II.92), "I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter” (II.III.263). Iago has poured his poison into Othello and made him truly deem that he is his friend and protector. It shows how much trust Othello has in Iago, and shows the reader how it is going to waste. One line that shows great irony is: "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (III.III.195-96). But the whole reason Iago wants to ruin Othello is because he is jealous, yet he counsels Othello on the matter instead. In the end, Othello does kill his wife because he in fact is jealous. Verbal irony is found throughout this play probably the most. It adds a bit of humor while tormenting the characters, who don’t know the truth.

-Dramatic Irony is when the words and actions of the characters in a work of literature are known to the audience or reader, but they are not known to certain characters in the story. The reader or audience has a greater knowledge of many of the characters themselves.

But not only this, he goes on to say that he believes that Othello has had sex with his wife, Emilia “Hath leaped into my seat”. In this silioquy Iago shares the beginning of his plan, to make Othello so jealous with the idea that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair “jealousy so strong that judgement cannot cure”. However because of the reasons he put forward to Roderigo earlier in the play, we cannot be sure that Iago is telling the truth to the audience, even though he is seen to be confiding in the audience with his master plan. Through the use of this silioquy, and the others in the play, Shakespeare creates dramatic irony, where the audience know more about what is happening than the characters themselves do. This assists his portrayal of Othello as a tragic hero, as the audience is able to see his fatal flaw, and learn the devastating result because of it.

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.

The play “Othello” by William Shakespeare was written in 1604 during the Elizabeth era. Othello is one of the most extraordinary characters in all of Shakespeare’s dramas. He enjoyed unheralded success in the combat zone, which gave him the reputation as one of Venice’s most competent generals. Even though he has great success in the battlefield, he has a dramatic flaw that causes a downfall in his life. The dramatic flaw that causes his downfall is jealousy. This was brought on by a simple persuasion of Iago, the evil character in the play. Even though Iago used extreme manipulation to get Othello to be jealous, Iago did not really have to try very hard to get Othello in a jealous state of mind. Othello was blinded by his jealousy which

In the book Hamlet by Shakespeare, irony is used numerous times in order to give the reader insight on what is going on. As stated in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, irony is an action that is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play. If this strategy were not included in this drama, it would take away the whole purpose. This play would consist of no suspense and would be extremely boring to the reader because the characters would know as much as the readers know. This allows for incite to what can happen in the future or what has happened in the past. The irony in this play ultimately revolves around Hamlet and his plan to achieve revenge with Claudius. From the play that Hamlet organizes

first of all the characters in the play to be attacked by the "green -

William Shakespeare’s Othello uses different and unique techniques in his language to express the nature of evil throughout the play. Verbal twists and the characters most importantly stress the act of evil. Iago, most of all is portrayed as the “villain” or “protagonist in the play. Shakespeare uses this character to set the basis of evil. Each plot point is spiraled further into tragedy due to the nature of Iago and his manipulative language towards the other main characters.

In the beginning of the play, Shakespeare illustrates Othello as a benevolent military noble who shares an intellectual love with his young wife, Desdemona, that is of utmost purity and innocence. At once the evil character of Iago is introduced and uncovers the hero's tragic flaw; ultimately that of naiveté. Although Othello is usually a very even-tempered man, as can be seen when he refuses to let Iago persuade him to get angry at Roderigo, (I, ii, 6), an exteriour opposing force characterized by Iago, perpetuates the tragedy of the play by provoking the interiour opposing force, or the hamartia of the protagonist. Near the beginning of the play, Shakespeare's clever demonstration of dramatic irony allows the reader to realize Othello's tragic flaw in the fact that he hands his full trust over to a man who is "Janus-faced" and dishonest. "...my ancient; a man he is of honesty and trust. To this conveyance I assign my wife". The irony from this line lies in Othello's misconception of his ensign, Iago, who is already plotting against him for his own means. After witnessing Iago's conspiracy with Roderigo at the ruination of Othello in the previous act, the reader immediately sees Iago's villainess, however in innocence, Othello is blinded to it and by it. From this we see, as in many tragedies, the tragic hero's flaw is not actually a defect in itself, but rather an excess of a virtue. In the case of Othello, this perilous virtue