Honesty And Honor In Shakespeare's Othello

Improved Essays
In the play Othello, two major themes are Honesty and Honor. One way that Honesty is portrayed in Othello is through the usage of irony. Throughout Act 3 and 5, the basis of the story is that Othello doesn’t believe his wife, Desdemona, but instead believes Iago, the least honest character in the play. This displays irony since Iago, who uses dishonesty to manipulate Othello, is the most trusting person in the eyes of every single character. Whenever a character calls Iago, “Honest Iago,” this label is both complementary and patronizing for it is commonly used to pat inferiors on the head, with the inferior being Iago.This label can also serve as a symbol of trust because Othello is mainly the one that says this to Iago and he trusts him completely.

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    He demonstrates his ability to manipulate, speaking cryptically to an ignorant Roderigo about his plans in an ironic statement, “I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at”, symbolising his awareness that he will be targeted by foolish humans if he were to reveal his intentions. Iago uses an analogy, “Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners,” which while providing an impression of free will, symbolises the act of Iago planting the seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind. He continues to instil doubt in all characters, whilst maintaining the illusion of an “honest Iago” till the end. Sax extends Shakespeare’s manipulative ability of Iago due to changes in context, commenting on the stretch of one’s influence due to the widespread viewership of social media. Whilst Iago uses Emelia as a way to place Cassio in the position for Othello to doubt him, Jago takes advantage of the anonymity of the internet to manipulate unknowns, further emphasising his Machiavellian qualities.…

    • 1000 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Othello believes that Iago Acquires all these qualities which is why he believes…

    • 199 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Honesty Quotes In Othello

    • 603 Words
    • 3 Pages

    1. “It is not honesty in me to speak / What I have seen and known. You shall observe him, / And his own courses will denote him so / That I may save my speech.”…

    • 603 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The play that I have done my examination on is a Greek disaster composed by the William Shakespeare, Othello. To give a brief foundation of the play, Othello goes into a story of a Black Male by the name of Othello who was a general in the Venetian Army. He furtively weds the King Brabantio's little girl, Desdemona, who is Caucasian, accordingly making pressures inside the kingdom. Iago who is to some degree a colleague to Othello gets to know him, yet just out of envy from Othello position in the Army. Iago envy drives him to attempt and damage Othello by any methods conceivable and sees fit.…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the story Othello by Shakespeare the story shows how even though you trust someone not everyone is who they appear to be. Othello trust Iago but in one important event in the back Iago shows his true colors. During act 1, Iago and Roderigo discuss about no longer following Othello, Iago continues to follow Othello even though he hates him. Iago states that “for when my outward action both demonstrates the native act. ‘Tis not not long after,,, But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve ; I am not what I am”.…

    • 341 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Theme Of Evil In Othello

    • 152 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Iago manipulates Othello by using his biggest weakness--insecurity. Though Iago is a vile man, he is referred to as “honest Iago” throughout the play. Iago’s cunning ways allow him to carry out his plans using characters without their awareness of what he ultimately desires. It all starts in the streets, where Iago wants Roderigo to rile up Othello’s…

    • 152 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Iago Psychopath Analysis

    • 1341 Words
    • 6 Pages

    In Shakespeare’s play Othello, the character Iago is a psychopath. This can be determined by the number of characteristics he shares with those who are clinically defined as psychopaths. Firstly, Iago is extremely manipulative, finding every way possible to use and twist people to his own advantage. He is also very selfish-helping and caring only about himself. Most importantly, Iago’s aptitude for insincere speech is his main asset, as he craftily uses it in every situation.…

    • 1341 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    This quote is evidence that Iago plans on using Othello’s flaw of jealously to assist in his plan of revenge. Othello is not the only victim in the tale of betrayal. Even Iago’s closest friends are subject to being pawns in his plan for revenge. Not only did Iago betray his friend Othello but he also betrayed his friend Rodrigo.…

    • 1119 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This horrible wretched man, commonly known as ‘honest’ Iago is nothing but petty, murderous and spiteful. A person who contemptuous of virtues and morals, and thus manipulates the vile in all the people surrounding him. He despises all things pure and righteous. He plotted, schemed, and falsified evidence to serve his treacherous plans; which were to make Othello suffer and lose everything.…

    • 1005 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The quotation demonstrates the faithfulness Othello gives to Iago rather than to his wife, Desdemona. Thirdly, the final meaning seen in Shakespeare’s Othello with use of the word honest is Iago’s forthright language to Othello. This is most obvious in act V, scene ii, when Othello responds to Emilia that, “He, woman; I say thy husband: dist understand the word? My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago.” (V,iii,152-154).…

    • 702 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Iago: The Perfect Villain

    • 792 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Iago feels that lying, cheating, and deceiving are now futile. He gives up everything but he shows apathy because he doesn't have remorse for his actions. Iago is really good at finding the weaknesses in people. Shakespeare writes Othello as this perfect being, who is highly respected. His crutch, Desdemona.…

    • 792 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In fact, every character in the play has referred to him as “honest Iago”. This proves that he is deceptive because he has managed to manipulate every single character into thinking he is the good guy, yet he is the villain. Shakespeare might have used repetition of the word “honest” to accentuate the extent of the characters’ trust in Iago. However, that trust had consequences. For instance, when Othello says ' '…

    • 1082 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Iago is shown to have a good reputation, an honest and loyal man to Othello and the society, but that does not mean it is the reality. Othello believes Iago without knowing his true nature and refers to others "Iago is most honest," (2.3.7). Iago is shown to be trustworthy in the past because he has not deceived anyone, and proved his loalty to Othello with several years of service for him. Also being the reason why Othello believes in him. Since Iago has a good reputation and is respected by most, Othello can easily finds Iago trustworthy and believes Iago tells him.…

    • 878 Words
    • 4 Pages
    • 2 Works Cited
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Iago’s Motive Nowadays, manipulation and dishonesty started to be a serious problem in our society to strive for specific goals like higher positions, money and other interests. Othello is a tragedy play written by William Shakespeare in 1603. It is about a story of a black, moor general in the Vietnam army, called Othello.…

    • 850 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Machiavellian villains are notorious for preying upon their victims until they accomplish their goal. In Othello, William Shakespeare uses Iago’s manipulation of Othello as an example of what Machiavellian villains do to their victims. Iago is a classic example of a Machiavellian villain, as he continues to manipulate Othello and turn him against his friends. Ultimately Iago is able to turn him against his wife, at which point Othello turns on himself by committing suicide. As presented in Othello, Machiavellian villains are a far more dangerous foe than someone who uses physical violence because they are able to destroy the lives of multiple people simultaneously and turn their victims against themselves.…

    • 1695 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays