Iago and Honesty in Shakespeares Othello Essay -- Othello essays Shak

Iago and Honesty in Othello Iago uses the intelligence information honest in subprogram three of Othello in three primary ways. The first way he uses it is to mean honourable, about Cassio. He uses this meaning of the word to force Othello to doubt Cassios honesty, and psyche his hounorablility. The second way is to mean faithful, both about Desdemona and Cassio. Iago uses it in the context that the two may be truthful, again to make Othello doubt. The third way is Iagos nearly effective use, which is to use honest in the context to mean truthful, as in, he has told Othello the truth. However, Shakespeare has created tremendous dramatic irony, for we accredit that Iago is being anything except truthful. The three uses of the word honest are used largely in the subtext of the act, they are used by Iago to force Othello to question his wifes integrity, and honesty. Shakespeare uses the word by Iago to plant tremendous doubt in Othellos mind. The word is also used by Iago in the action line. His objective is continuously to make Othello think things without actually being told them, and Iagos parroting of the word and constant useage do this quite nicely. Iago initially uses the word honest to mean honourable, in reference to Cassio. Othello has asked him if he Cassio is not honest? To which Iago parrots back Honest my lord? This role is constant with what Othello means, whether Cassio is honourable or not. However, Iago uses the word to cast doubt on Othello. By parroting it back, he is making it seem to Othello that he does not want to firmness the question, that he doesnt want to tell Othello something. This is seen in the subtext that Iago wishes to create. This use of it also contributes to Iagos objective, to... ...o uses the word almost laughingly behind Othellos back, telling him that he has been driven to honesty, when he know that Iago is only telling Othello half truths. Shakespeare uses the word effectively to create dramatic irony. Works Cited Barthelemy, Anthony G. Introduction Critical Essays on Shakespeares Othello. Ed. Anthony G. Barthelemy Pub. Macmillan New York, NY 1994. (page 1-19) Jones, Eldred. Othello- An Interpretation Critical Essays on Shakespeares Othello. Ed. Anthony G. Barthelemy Pub. Macmillan New York, NY 1994. Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http//www.eiu.edu/multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos. Snyder, Susan. Beyond the Comedy Othello Modern Critical Interpretations, Othello Ed. Harold Bloom, Pub. Chelsea House New Haven CT 1987.