Iago's Clever Words

Paper Summary:

The paper describes how Iago uses selective honesty as his persuasive tactic to dupe Roderigo into his trust and sway him to his own ends. The paper demonstrates how he pretends to be loyal to Othello while causing Roderigo and Brabantio to turn against Othello. The paper highlights Iago's clever words and deceitful persuasions.

From the Paper:

"At the beginning of "Othello," (Act I, Scene I), on a Venice street, Iago is introduced as a friend and trusted ally of Roderigo, and one who has his "purse" (financial trust.) Roderigo reminds Iago that Iago told him previously that he was antagonistic to Othello, and Iago assures him this is so: "Despise me, if I do not" - even giving what sounds like a plausible reason, i.e., Iago is bitter at Othello for selecting another man, Michael Cassio, over himself to serve as Othello's lieutenant, and he admits his jealousy of Cassio and his wish for vengeance against Othello. Of course, it seems that he is telling all this to Roderigo in order better to win him over and gain his trust more."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Othello." The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. MIT Online. http://wwwtech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/othello/(No line numbers given.)

More papers on Iago's Clever Words:

• Analytical Essay # 57120 : "Iago in Shakespeare's "Othello"
• Persuasive Essay # 133459 : "Iago's Successful Moral Degradation of Othello"
• Analytical Essay # 6284 : "Honest Iago"

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