Why Does Iago Use Animal Imagery In Othello

• Using grotesque animal imagery, Iago voices an explicitly stereotypical view of Othello, as a “Barbary horse,” depicting him as an animalistic outsider. Through the image of conflict in black and white, Iago emphasises on the racial demarcation between Othello and Desdemona, that “an old black ram is tupping your white ewe,” associating Othello with uncontrolled animalistic sexuality. Iago’s overt and vicious racism becomes representative of the reigning stereotype of the African on the

Nature seems to reflect upon humans and often times it can be through animals. In literature, animal comparisons are not only used to symbolize different characteristics, but to also make the plot more dramatic and interesting. It is often used by many authors because it gives the reader a vivid image as well as an understanding of the character. The use of this literary device is a clever way to expose underlying motifs and traits. In William Shakespeare’s play, Othello, animal imagery is used to portray the themes of good versus evil, jealousy, and racism which is influenced through the characters of Iago and Othello.

In the beginning, Iago provokes disturbing, animalistic imagery in Brabantio’s mind that suggest Othello is inhumanely raping Desdemona, by stating,"Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe" (Act 1: Scene 1.88-89). Iago condemns Othello, by connecting his skin color to one of a meaningless, black ram. In contrast to Othello’s dark complexion, Desdemona’s fair complexion emphasizes her delicate and beautiful nature as it directly connects to one of a white ewe. The bestial imagery accentuates the differences of Othello and Desdemona by comparing each to a stereotypical extreme.

The first of many examples of Iago’s manipulation occurs in Scene 1, Act 1. Rodgerio and Iago have had a bit too much to drink and they go over to Brabantio’s house to inform him about his daughter’s romantic relationship with Othello. When Roderigo starts telling Brabantio about this, he shrugs it off, blaming his nonsense on Roderigo’s unrequited love for his daughter. But Iago begins explaining the situation, saying “...very now, an old black ram is topping your white ewe. Arise, arise, awake the snorting citizens with the bell, or else the devil will make a grandsire of you.” (I,I). Iago’s exact choice of words in this quote is very significant because not only are they racist and distasteful, they are dehumanizing Othello. By comparing Othello to an animal, and “old

Iago uses racial slurs comparing Othello to an animal once again when he is waking Brabantos up. He says an “old black ram” comparing Othello to an animal and once again dehumanizing him. Tupping, has slept with your white ewe talking about Desdimona. Almost as if trying to plant a fear inside of Barbantos or that if he should have a fear of this animal sleeping with this white pristine woman. Playing on the social insecurities created that have imprisoned Brabantio. “Brabantio. This is Venice. My house is not a

Iago also uses animal imagery to beguile the ignorant Roderigo. In Act I, scene iii, line 314, Iago uses degrading terms again in his dialogue; he states, “Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.” By expressing this, Iago is saying that he would rather be a baboon than kill himself for a woman. The terms guinea hen, being a negative term for a woman, and baboon, being a racial label, are both stated with the intent to insult Roderigo. Iago also states, “Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats and blind puppies!”(Act I, scene iii, line 334) which infers that Roderigo is weak and juvenile. Iago uses demeaning animal imagery to express his thoughts towards the end of Act I.

Honest, meaning free of deceit and untruthfulness; sincere. All of which Iago is not. This can be surprising considering the numerous times the word honest is used in Othello to reference Iago. Throughout the play the audience gets a first hand look of how Iago contributes to the theme of appearance versus reality that creates dramatic irony.

Iago also uses derogatory terms like “guinea hen” and “a fig”. Iago’s language is indecent and shows the corruption of his mind.

The Elizabethan times an apprehension of non-native took into consideration bigot perspectives to create. This is obvious in the way the shade of Othello 's skin is an image of his distance and one of his most prominent insecurities that in the long run prompts his ruin. All through the play Iago utilizes preposterous creature symbolism to depict Othello as an animalistic outcast. In the first scene Iago and Roderigo are indicated utilizing deriding comments, calling him a "Barbary steed" and "thick lips", further solidifying his place as an outcast. Through resulting differentiating symbolism the representation, "an old dark ram is tupping your white

Othello, written by William Shakespeare, contains many metaphors revealing Shakespeare’s artistic and evocative style of writing, but also riddling the plot with a deeper purpose. Iago, one of the main characters and main villain in the play, speaks metaphorically showing readers his deceptive and cunning nature. In Othello, Iago manipulates the people around him in order to turn them against Othello, by appealing to their emotions through his use of metaphors. Iago is able to manipulate Brabantio into turning against Othello by appealing to his emotions and by bluntly talking about his daughter, Desdemona. In act 1, scene 1 Iago says, “An old black ram/Is tupping your white ewe.”

He attempts to convince Othello that animalistic behaviour is of the norm in Venice, using the metaphorical aspect that relates to Othello’s collected persona that has metamorphosed into a mad and unstable man, depicting Othello’s downfall and changed perspective of self. His sense of belonging has spiralled as he no longer trusts the woman he loved the most. A quote that further supports this idea is found in Act 4 Scene 1 (Line 60) in which Iago states: “A hornèd man’s a monster and a beast”. Iago challenges Othello’s sense of belonging through the animalistic imagery and metaphor. Othello believes that it is his own fault he is not able to satisfy his wife’s sexual desires and is dejected, referring to himself as being the “cuckold” of Venetian society. The word “horned” alludes to figurative horns that a husband ‘grew’ to showcase his wife’s infidelity, which brought about much chagrin and humiliation to

Figurative Language 4. In Act 1 Scene 1, Iago says “I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.” This is an example of imagery. Again, this shows that Iago really does not like Othello, basically calling him an animal. Also, it describes Desdemona and Othello as being very ‘animalistic’ which really sets off Brabantio, all part of Iago’s plan.

Othello is a Moor, born in northern Africa. From the beginning of the play Iago voices a hatred for Othello rooted in his race. In Act I Scene I Iago refers to Othello as, “an old black ram,” (90), “…a Barbary horse…” (113), and speaks to the unnaturalness of the union between Desdemona and Othello saying, “…your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs” (116-17). These quotes are all derogatory terms, demeaning Othello and comparing him to an animal. Sixteenth century audiences would have seen this comparison to animals very offensive because at that time the chain of being was very important. The chain of being is a hierarchical order of creation. At the top are humans (reason), followed by animals (motion, sense), plants (growth), and stones (mere existence). Calling Othello a ram and a horse made him less than human in Elizabethan times, expressing Iago’s deep rooted hatred of Othello based on race. When referring to the two backed beast Iago reveals his belief that the marriage of Othello, a Moor, and Desdemona, a Venetian, is unnatural. Later in the play he also says, “Not to affect many proposed matches/ Of her own clime, complexion, and degree, / Whereto we see in all things nature tends-/ Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank, / Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural” (Act III Scene III, 245-49)

Shakespeare establishes this motif by comparing the characters of the play with their own unique animal. As an example, Othello is referred to with different animals that represent his race and personality. Iago first informs Brabantio of his daughter's marriage with Othello by stating that "an old black ram

Although there are many good things that have come from Othello’s past experiences, the negative effects outweigh the positives. In the story Iago uses Othello's “savage” image to project a negative image of Macbeth. For example Iago says, “you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse” (1.1.115-116). In these lines Iago is talking to Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, about Othello making love with his daughter. Iago tries to create a disturbing image by describing Othello as a “barbary horse”.