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Miller 1 Krystal Miller Monday April 23, 2012 An Analysis of Soliloquy in Othello The short drama Othello by William

Shakespeare portrays the dynamics between a secret plot, the manifestations of that plot, and the way it affects the characters, whether directly or indirectly. Shakespeare describes the sinister schemes of Iago, the antagonist in Othello, using soliloquies in order to demonstrate his thoughts of conspiring against Othello. These soliloquies express to the audience his hateful feelings toward Othello in addition to his plot to ruin the marriage between Othello and Desdemona. Iagos soliloquies give the audience an understanding of the mindset of a pathological liar and psychopath. In Othello, Iago begins his plot against Othello after he finds out that Othello passed him over for a position as lieutenant in favor for Cassio. Iago says to Roderigo: Call up her father, Rouse him. Make after him, poison his delight, Proclaim him in the streets. Incense her kinsmen, And though he in a fertile climate dwell, Plague him with flies; though that his joy be joy, Yet throw such changes of vexation ont As it may lose some color (Shakespeare p.700) Iago stays true to his revenge on Othello because after learning that Othello and Desdemona (Othellos love interest) are missing, his first plan of attack comes when he tells Brabantio (Desdemonas father) that his daughter has been kidnapped by Othello and possibly having a romantic affair with him. Iago tells Brabantio, I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs (p. 701). This statement by Iago is certainly not confirmed as of yet, but as revenge, Iago is doing everything in his power to

Miller 2 punish Othello. Unfortunately, this plan backfires after Othello and Desdemona convinces the senate of their love. In an effort to resume Othellos punishment, Iago tries again, this time with this quote to Roderigo: First I must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him [Cassio] (p.723). Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio so that a fight could break out between Roderigo and Cassio and result somehow ending Othellos marriage to Desdemona. In his first soliloquy after this conversation with Roderigo, Iago says in an excerpt: I stand accountant for as great as a sin, But partly led to diet my revenge, For that I do suspect the lusty Moor Hath leaped into my seat; the thought whereof Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards; And nothing shall or content my soul Till I am evened with him, wife for wife; (p. 724) By means of this particular soliloquy, Iago spills his thoughts about Othello to the audience saying that he cannot sleep at night without succeeding in his conspiracies against Othello. The soliloquy is important because it depicts a man who is not stopping for anything until he has won the battle against someone who he sees as a threat. This is a great example of a psychopath because those taking extreme measures to harm someone (and everyone else associated with the act) usually do not consider the psychological or physical effects the harm could do to a person (and do not seek to care). The fact also that Iago would constantly lie to the cast of Othello in order to cause damage to another person is a huge determinant of his character as an indecent human being. Another similar soliloquy from Iago states: Ill have our Michael Cassio on the hip

Miller 3 Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb (For I fear Cassio with my nightcap too), Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me For making him egregiously an ass And practicing upon his peace and quiet even to madness (p. 725) This excerpt reveals Iagos motivations for Cassio. Not only is Iago trying to harm Othello, but he is also trying to harm Cassio so that he could have an opportunity to harm Othello. Shakespeare uses this soliloquy in order for audience members to get into the mind of Iago and so that they could get in on the ways in which someone that is truly mischievous plans a scheme. A similar soliloquy from Iago explains in detail his specific plan for Cassio: If I can fasten but one cup upon him With that which he hath drunk to-night already, Hell be as full of quarrel and offense As my young mistress dog (p. 726) In this particular excerpt, Iago reveals to the audience that he plans to make Cassio drunk so that the brawl between him and Roderigo could be successful. This soliloquy is another example of the manipulative behavior of Iago and his inconsideration for the well-being of others. Although the fight did not end Othello and Desdemonas relationship, it did however, cost Cassio his position as lieutenant after Iago lied to Othello about who started the fight implementing Cassio, although he knew very well that he himself had planned the entire thing. It is also important to note that Shakespeare displays Iago as being someone who has developed a reputation as being honest, which is evidently in stark contrast with his plots against Othello and other characters in the play. An example from Othello shows how the characters

Miller 4 view Iago as a person, specifically Othello, of all people, when he tells Cassio, Iago is the most honest. (p.725). Shakespeare intentionally presents Iago as an honest person to the characters in the play but reveals his sinister acts to the audience in order to reinforce the thoughts of a villain and to reveal someone who is so good at lying to get what he wants that he is deemed as honest. By portraying Iago as a character who is trusted by all to the cast and as someone who cannot be trusted to the audience, the audience sees Iago as someone who is a psychopath by revealing characteristics of complete disregard to others and having an extensive history of lying and manipulation. In another soliloquy, which is also an example of Iagos psychopathic behavior as a master manipulator, he plans on spreading the lie that Cassio and Desdemona are involved in an affair so that Othello could break off the relationship with Desdemona: Two things are to be done: My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress; Ill set her in; Myself while to draw the Moor apart And bring him jump when he may Cassio find Soliciting his wife (p. 734) The final plot against Othello in the play starts when Emilia (Iagos wife) picks up a handkerchief that Desdemona dropped belonging to Othello and gives it to Iago, mentioning that he had always wanted her to steal it. In his last soliloquy, Iago says referring to the handkerchief: I will in Cassios lodgings lose this napkin And let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong

Miller 5 As proofs of holy writ. This may do something (p. 745) As the soliloquy suggests, Iago plans on strategically placing the napkin in Cassios room so that it would appear as if he and Desdemona had an affair. This last soliloquy by Iago gives rise to the final plot in the drama because this attempt at ruining Othello and Desdemonas relationship worked. At the end of the play, Othello ends up killing Desdemona because of the suspected affair. However, once it was revealed to Othello that Emilia had given the handkerchief to Iago, he killed himself. Unfortunately, other characters in the play were also affected by Iagos plots against Othello at the end of the play. Not only are the other characters now exposed to Iagos lies and are clearly devastated, Emilia ends up murdered by Iago after she spilled the beans about Iagos intentions. Iago appears unfazed by it all, but ends up being held captive by the senate for torture. The series of mini plots that Iago devised in order to seek revenge on Othello for giving a coveted position to Cassio were all preplanned, so to speak, via his soliloquies which revealed a great load about Iagos mischievous personality as a pathological liar and psychopath. Although the cast members could not see Iago as a manipulator in the beginning, Shakespeare made sure that the audience could view Iagos thoughts all throughout the play in order to announce to them his ways of thinking as a master manipulator and as someone whose honest reputation was in reality, a bunch of lies.

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Works Cited

Meyer, Michael. Ed. Literature on the Go. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011. Print. Shakespeare, William. Othello. Literature on the Go. Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011. 698-787. Print.

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