Within Othello, Willam Shakespeare has constantly interwoven the themes deception and evil in order to create a play

which continuously grips the interest of the audience. In order to successfully do so, Shakespeare has managed to effectively portray both evil and deception through the use of various devices. Such devices are the predominant use of heinous imagery, soliloquies and the creation of a character who is the epitome of both malevolence and trickery. These factors have contributed greatly into further heightening the intensity of deception and malicious intent evident throughout the play Othello. Shakespeare has used a various range of imagery within Othelllo in order to effectively display deception and evil throughout the play. Through the use of imagery Shakespeare is able to successfully capture the minds of the audience by creating vivid image through his choice of words. By doing so the audience is able to further relate and understand the tone, mood and attitude of certain characters. An example is one Iagos crudest choices of words, which was used to create a disturbing image. This is seen in Act 1, Scene 1, where Iago says to Brabantio, An old black ram is tupping your white ew (Othello, Act 1, Scene 1). The statement does not only create a sexual image but also degrades Desdemona and Othello as people by referring to them as animals. From this the audience receives an insight in regards to the extent of Iagos malevolence due to his lack of hesitation in using such crude terms to describe other individuals. During Act 2, Scene 2, Shakespeare has also used imagery to further increase the effective portrayal of deception and evil in Othello. Within the particular scene, Iago states his plans to pour this pestilence (Othello, Act 2, Scene 3), into Othellos ear. This statement of Iagos further emphasizes his plans to deceive Othello. The act of pouring pestilence into Othellos ear creates a vivid image within the minds of the audience which further assists them in understanding the magnitude of Iagos deceitful and evil nature. Through the use of powerful imagery, Shakespeare has managed to efficiently portray deception and evil throughout the play. In order to display evil and deception within Othello, to a point where it has a strong impact on the audience, Shakespeare has also used soliloquies. A soliloquy is a device often used by William Shakespeare, which involves a characters thoughts being revealed to the audience. Soliloquies are used to reveal the inner thoughts of certain characters, which often involve their internal struggles and their plans. In Othello, Shakespeare has used this device in order to further effectively display the evil hiding within the characters in Othello. An example is the very first soliloquy of Iagos in Act 1, Scene 3 where he expresses his deep hatred for the Othello, I hate the Moor He holds me well. The Moor is of a free and open naturethinks men honest that but seem to be so,tenderly be led by th' nose bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light (Othello, Act 1, Scene 3). This soliloquy has already given the audience an idea regarding the degree of Iagos wickedness, as well as his plans to deceive Othello who holds him well. From this passage it does not only showcase the evil that is already beginning to unfold within Othello, but also the plans that have already been made to deceive innocent individuals. With the use of soliloquies throughout the play, Shakespeare has been able to successfully portray dishonesty and malevolence within the play. One of Willam Shakespeares greatest portrayals of deception and evil are seen within the character Iago. Shakespeare has managed to create a character that not only deceives the individuals around him but yet also finds great joy in doing so, almost to the point of seeing the act as a mere game. This is evident within Act 1, Scene 3 where Iago states, If thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a sport. (Othello, Act 1, Scene 3). From this statement it is evident

that even from the beginning of the play Iago does not hesitate with his scheme to ruin Othello and instead view it as a game. He is unable to feel any remorse for the chaos he plans to wreak, which in turn makes him to be one of the most evil antagonists Shakespeare has managed to create. In addition to Iagos incapability to feel remorse, he has also wrapped the people around him in a web of deceit that has inevitably lead to their downfall. An example is the innocent Desdemona who could not even bear the idea of being unfaithful to Othello; however, Iago has twisted her innocence into something more malicious. Such an occurance is seen within Act 2, Scene 3, where Iago tells Othello that the reason behind Desdemonas desire for Cassio to be reinstated was for her bodys lust (Act 2, Scene 3). However, Iagos claims are completely false as Desdemona only innocently wishes to help Cassio for his own benefit. Within this scene, it is evident that Iago has not only twisted Desdemonas honest actions, but has in fact also deceived Othello. With the creation of Iago, a character who is the embodiment of dishonesty and iniquity, Shakespeare has managed to effectively portray deception and evil in Othello. Shakespeare has managed to successfully display malevolence and evil within Othello through the use of a variety of devices. These devices are soliloquies, vivid imagery and the creation of a character who is the epitome of both evil and deception. With these devices William Shakespeare has written a play which would continuously hold the attention of the audience, leaving them on the edge of their seats, forever remembering the tragedy of Othello.