Warning: Use of undefined constant referer - assumed 'referer' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 102

Warning: Use of undefined constant host - assumed 'host' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 105

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 106

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 109
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 ...

Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers

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 ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.

Already a member? Login

CITE THIS PAGE:

APA
MLA
Chicago
Turabian

Iago And Honesty In Othello. (2006, March 30). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Iago-And-Honesty-In-Othello/43593

"Iago And Honesty In Othello." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 30 Mar. 2006. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Iago-And-Honesty-In-Othello/43593>

"Iago And Honesty In Othello." Essayworld.com. March 30, 2006. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Iago-And-Honesty-In-Othello/43593.

JOIN NOW

Join today and get instant access to this and 50,000+ other essays

PAPER DETAILS

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

Save |

Report

SHARE THIS PAPER

SAVED ESSAYS

Save and find your favorite essays easier