Theme Of Truth In Othello

Iago’s deception contributes to the whole play since he convinces everyone to trust him. He has this great ability to fool others into naming him as “Honest Iago.” Iago continuously lies and also makes himself look like a person people can trust. To many characters in the play, he appears to be sincere and reliable when he is truly deceiving them. Iago continues to lie to Othello about Desdemona cheating on him with Cassio.

Iago is an example of a classic narcissistic person who is hungry for power and would do anything to get what he wants. This includes getting Othello to trust him and fall right into his trap. Iago says “One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, a fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife; that never set a squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows more than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric, where in the toged consuls can propose as masterly as he: mere prattle, without practise, is all his soldiership” (1.1.20) out of jealousy because Cassio got the lieutenant position instead of Iago, which will lead to Othello’s down fall as soon as Iago begin the lies. Othello has learned to trust Iago and begins to talk with him more and more. Once Cassio is stripped of his lieutenant position after starting a fight Othello give the position to Iago.

Desdemona foreshadows her own death by telling Emilia about the willow song. Desdemona thinks that no woman would be unfaithful to their husbands. Emilia thinks that if no one is looking she would cheat on her husband, she says women have the same desire as men. She also explains that if the women cheats it is the mans fault. In the meantime Iago torments Othello until he faints by continually bringing up that Cassio slept with Desdemona. Pish! Noses, ears,and lips. --Is't possible?--Confess--handkerchief!--O devil!--". Othello is very nervous that his wife is potentially sleeping with Cassio. Iago then makes sure that Othello hears Bianca and Cassio talking about his relationship but Othello thinks he is talking about Desdemona, here we can see that the character of Othello has changed a great deal. Cassio is killed by Roderigo which puts Desdemona in harm of being murdered. Desdemona still loves Othello but he murders her because he was tricked into Iago’s evil

Throughout the play, Iago is thought to be honest and a good advisor. We often see "…honest Iago… ", or in Othello's words "…this fellow's of exceeding honesty… ". None of the characters in the play knows what Iago is really up to, and they blindly trust him and accept his advice.

Throughout Othello, the dramatic irony of “Honest” Iago is detrimental. Iago serves as Othello’s main attendant and is expected to get the promotion to lieutenant. Unexpectedly though, Othello gives the promotion of lieutenant to Michael Cassio. In all, this catalyzes Iago’s plot for revenge and destruction that will destroy every

The ideas of truth and perception are hard to differentiate in everyday life, making the real truth harder to seek. The main functions in Othello are perception and truth which is a person’s viewpoint or their interpretation of reality, and truth being what actually happens, and these facts can be easily manipulated. Othello, written by William Shakespeare, is a general who is constantly tormented between the false and real truth by Iago who skillfully manipulates him throughout the story. In Plato’s The Republic, he also talks about these themes, saying that the truth can be shaped by your view of reality and by stereotypes. In Othello, Shakespeare is saying that perception can easily alter the truth of others, making the truth harder to accept.

William Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice is a play of great manipulation and jealousy. Iago is the antagonist character of the play Othello. Iago becomes irate and filled with jealousy when Othello names Michael Cassio as his lieutenant, because Iago believed he should have been the one promoted not Michael Cassio. By manipulating everyone around him, Iago portrays himself as an honest noble man whom can be trusted. Iago being known for the honest man he earns everyone’s trust and therefore learns their weakness for his ultimate plan of destruction. Iago’s greatest skill is disguising his manipulative schemes of destroying and betraying the ones around him with what he leads people to believe as honesty. Iago uses their

Iago's supposed honesty is ironically, also a result of his own lying, by making statements that help him sustain his reputation.  When he explains Roderigo and Cassio's fight to Othello, he claims to do it with a heavy heart, because he does not want to cause problems for Cassio.  However, he feels he must tell the truth; " I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offense to Michael Cassio.  Yet I persuade myself to speak the truth." [Act II, scene iii].  By saying this, others are led to believe that the guilt of not speaking the truth is

The relationship of the characters in Othello are shaped by the theme of truth and lies. Othello has trouble believing in his relationship with Desdemona because he considers too many outside opinions. Iago is the center of creating manipulations to alter the truth of the actual information. Therefore, Othello questions his fidelity with Desdemona because Iago plants different information to manipulate Othello’s mind and ultimately disrupt his relationship. According to Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “Othello wishes to excuse himself—to excuse himself by accusing” (151). Othello has others easily influence his decisions, in which he is incapable of trusting himself. Needless to say, Othello finds it easier to accuse Desdemona of her wrongdoings and for being unfaithful; he does not question Iago’s creditability. In addition, the theme of truth and lies arise from Othello’s inability to understand himself, so Othello initially has Iago dictate. For that reason, Iago is able to tell Othello anything, knowing that Othello does not question him. However, Othello does not see that Iago manipulates him, and Iago’s lies are perceived as the truth, as it contradicts what Desdemona says.

355,] By playing on his hopes, Iago is able to conjure money and jewels from Roderigo, making himself a profit, while using Roderigo to further his other plans. He also thinks stealthy on his feet and is able to improvise whenever something unexpected occurs. When Cassio takes hold of Desdemona's hand before the arrival of the Moor Othello, Iago says, "With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio." [II, i, 163] This language demonstrates the evil inside Iago’s goals of retrieving absolute power. He actually even says of himself, "I am an honest man...." [II, iii, 245] Iago slowly corrupts the character’s thoughts, creating ideas in their minds without implicating himself. His "medicine works! Thus credulous fools are caught...." [II, i, 44] "And what's he then that says I play the villain, when this advice is free I give, and honest," [II, iii, 299] says Iago. In turn, people rarely stop to consider the fact that old Iago could be deceiving and manipulating them; yet they are convinced that he is "Honest Iago." From these quotes from “Othello” it is proven that the dialogue used between Iago and the others is manipulative causing an evil outcome.

Iago twists the truth several times throughout the story and will do anything to get what he wants. In the quote Iago starts trouble by accusing Desdemona of loving another man other than Othello, Iago acts innocent in front of Othello but behind his back he is really deceiving him. Iago will do whatever it takes to accomplish the task at hand and with his reputation being so good, no one will suspect a thing. Othello strongly respects Iago which leads him to do anything Iago says. Iago will say what is needed in order for Othello to get revenge, even if it means killing his own wife.

In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello, Iago demonstrates a mastery of manipulation over people who had previously trusted and confided in him. His sudden turn from Othello’s loyal ensign to rage-filled villain seems indicative of a man who can no longer accept his position in life. Iago’s plotting of Othello’s demise starts as idle talk of a disgruntled 28 year-old career military man passed over for promotion. Iago believes that such a promotion may never come after Othello rejects his candidacy and makes it clear that he did not believe him suitable. He sees Othello is only concerned with personal and political gain with his choice of Cassio as lieutenant. When Iago teams with love-scorned and desperate Roderigo, he begins

Othello is the character with whom most of Iago's methods have success. His weakness as a jealous lover is apparent early on, but only after Iago’s has planted the seeds of doubt within his mind. Such is Othello’s trust for Iago that he uses the misnomer of describing Iago as ‘honest Iago’ and irony considering the action held within the play.  The trust is obvious and implicit and thoroughly entrenched within the language. Othello surmises on the aforementioned doubts during the last act of the play when he says;

As soon as the play takes off Iago lets the readers know his true intentions. He states to Roderigo that he is going to be the Moorships biggest mistake after he found out Othello chose Cassio to be his Lieutenant (I. i. 35). From this information it is gathered that Iago seeks revenge and the use of illusion vs. reality will make his plans all the more believable. After seen Iago’s true colors it’s iconic to see how many times he is called by the name “Honest Iago”. This name is an illusion in itself knowing he is anything but honest.

Iago plants ideas in Othello’s head, uses the innocent actions of others as his proof; and Othello, who is not practiced in worldly matters, believes his the misnomer of the “honest Iago”, and eventually is consumed by the lie.