Iago's Soliloquy in Othello
Context-
In this soliloquy Iago is devising a cynical plot to destroy Othello. The reasons for such strong resentment is that it is rumoured that Othello has slept with his wife, “twixt my sheets” in conjunction with Cassio’s promotion above him by Othello. This soliloquy is crucial for the expansion of the play as it is the catalyst for everything to come which ultimately results in Othello’s destruction, Desdemona’s death and Iago’s downfall.
Reason for Choosing-
This speech is the driving motivation of the play and causes the tragedy and makes the reader think about the ideas of revenge, disloyalty and why a person would go to such extremes to destroy another person. Without Iago making such a decision there would be no play which has become so successful.
Significance to theme-
One of the main concerns in this play is good and evil. The evil he is visiting on Othello is revenge and the play makes us reflect on the destructiveness of revenge and if revenge can be ever justified. It also allows us to reflect on how revenge has wide ramifications, in this case it destroys the victim and the perpetrator.
The main theme of appearance vs reality is highlighted in this soliloquy. This soliloquy is the first time the audience experience Iago’s treacherous, deceitful and manipulative character. “men honest that but seem to be so” shows how Iago plans on Othello’s nature of being trusting in himself, “honest Iago”.
Another theme highlighted in this soliloquy is that of self knowledge. Othello’s lack of self knowledge makes him easy prey for Iago, “thinks men honest”. As Iago tells us of his plans in this soliloquy’s it sets up how Othello begins to abandon reason and how the plan is carried through.
Character-
In this soliloquy Iago reveals a lot about his character. Throughout the play he is often called 'honest Iago' which is dramatic irony. As the audience we know that Iago hates Othello as he tells us in this soliloquy where he is
In this soliloquy Iago is devising a cynical plot to destroy Othello. The reasons for such strong resentment is that it is rumoured that Othello has slept with his wife, “twixt my sheets” in conjunction with Cassio’s promotion above him by Othello. This soliloquy is crucial for the expansion of the play as it is the catalyst for everything to come which ultimately results in Othello’s destruction, Desdemona’s death and Iago’s downfall.
Reason for Choosing-
This speech is the driving motivation of the play and causes the tragedy and makes the reader think about the ideas of revenge, disloyalty and why a person would go to such extremes to destroy another person. Without Iago making such a decision there would be no play which has become so successful.
Significance to theme-
One of the main concerns in this play is good and evil. The evil he is visiting on Othello is revenge and the play makes us reflect on the destructiveness of revenge and if revenge can be ever justified. It also allows us to reflect on how revenge has wide ramifications, in this case it destroys the victim and the perpetrator.
The main theme of appearance vs reality is highlighted in this soliloquy. This soliloquy is the first time the audience experience Iago’s treacherous, deceitful and manipulative character. “men honest that but seem to be so” shows how Iago plans on Othello’s nature of being trusting in himself, “honest Iago”.
Another theme highlighted in this soliloquy is that of self knowledge. Othello’s lack of self knowledge makes him easy prey for Iago, “thinks men honest”. As Iago tells us of his plans in this soliloquy’s it sets up how Othello begins to abandon reason and how the plan is carried through.
Character-
In this soliloquy Iago reveals a lot about his character. Throughout the play he is often called 'honest Iago' which is dramatic irony. As the audience we know that Iago hates Othello as he tells us in this soliloquy where he is