Deception Flashcards
During this scene we see that Iago’s plan to degrade the character’s around him was worked, This is a full circle moments and the audience is reminded of the devastation and damage Iago’s cunning schemes have the potential of causing. Cassio repeats ‘‘reputation’’ several times to emphasis the sincerity of his regret. He loses control of his speech and inarticulately repeats the only thing that is on his mind. Cassio is mortified with shame, and acts in a way similar to someone with has been physically harmed. It is as if his reputation is a physical part of him that has been attacked.
'’Reputation, reputation, reputation! O I have lost my reputation. I have lost the most immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial.’’
Iago says this to Roderigo in order to foreshadow and forebode the later tragedy that stems from Iago’s cunning and scheming nature. Consequently, this villianises him,establishes his villainous character - a common feature of morality plays. Symbolises crows eating away at his cover of false emotions in the same way they eat the corpses of dead animals.
'’I will wear my heart on my sleeves for Daws to peck at: I am not what I am.’’
'’Honest Iago’’
Monosyllabic, contrasts eloquent speech at the beginning of the play
'’Ha, I like not that.’’
Iago uses the imagery of poison which fits his role as villain. Soliloquy. His use of a definite statement here shows Iago has confidence in his powers of verbal persuasion. The sentence structure makes it clear Othello is to be the passive recipient of his ‘pestilence’ and that Iago is on control. The sound patterning (alliteration of ‘p’ and sibilance of the ‘s’) used in this line about poisoning adds emphasis to Iago’s plan, heightening the tension for the audience.
'’I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear’’
Brabantio’s final words to Othello are a harsh warning. Rhyming couplet makes his words stand out against the free verse. The original seed of doubt that kills Desdemona has been sown not by Iago, but by Desdemona’s possessive, betrayed father. The sentiment expressed is more emphatic due to the rhyming couplet.
'’Look to her Moor if thou hast eyes to see: she has deceived her father and may thee’’.
Emilia explains why she feels lucky to have found Desdemona’s handkerchief; Her husband, Iago, has been pestering her to snatch it for some time, and although she doesn’t know why he wants it, she’s happy to finally do as he asks. The handkerchief symbolises more than a mere token of affection. To Othello, it symbolises fidelity and his giving it to Desdemona represents a promise that he will be true to her. ‘‘wayward’’ , we know that even she considers Iago to be out of the norm: ‘‘erratic, unpredictable’’. Hyperbolic ‘‘hundred times’’ demonstrates that Iago is determined to ruin Othello.
'’My wayward husband hath begged me a hundred times to steal it.’’
Iago, recognises that his actions are unpleasant/ malicious but takes accountability for them by possessing ‘‘my [his] poison’’. Poison has negative connotations. ‘‘already’’ implies that Iago is surprised by the rapid progression of his cunning plot
'’The Moor already changes with my poison’’
Iago sees Desdemona leaving with Cassio and says this. Othello wonders what he means. Iago tries to downplay his statement but in reality he is drawing more attention to Desdemona and Cassio leaving together. Iago knows exactly how to fan the flames of Othello’s doubts and paranoia over his wife’s ‘alleged’ infidelity. Monosyllabic,distinctive and clear, Iago’s language is deliberately plain, he allows Othello’s own inferences to cause the damage
Ha! I like not that.
Othello’s peripetia, monosyllabic contrasts Othello’s previously eloquent speech.
'’Oh! Oh! Oh!’’
