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Iago And Honesty In Othello - Online Essay

Iago And Honesty In Othello

Iago uses the word “honest” in act 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 Cassio’s honesty, and question 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 Iago’s most 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 know that Iago is being anything except truthful. The three uses of the word ...

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Cassio. Othello has asked him if “he [Cassio] is not honest?” To which Iago parrots back “Honest my lord?” This usage 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 answer the question, that he doesn’t want to tell Othello something. This is seen in the subtext that Iago wishes to create. This use of it also contributes to Iago’s objective, to make Othello think the opposite, that Cassio is dishonourable, even though this contradicts what Iago later says. Shakespeare has built up tremendous subtext for Iago and Othello around this simple word in this case. Iago manages to, without saying really anything, force Othello to believing that Cassio should in fact be doubted, for his honesty. The second usage of this meaning also carries significant dramatic irony with it. Iago uses it to refence to his own honour, telling ...

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Iago And Honesty In Othello. (2006, March 30). Retrieved January 13, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Iago-And-Honesty-In-Othello/43593

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Added: 3/30/2006 03:27:39 PM
Category: Arts
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1114
Pages: 5

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