Visual Soliloquy

So, let's talk about Iago. He is pure evil. That's it. Really. Well, maybe not. According to one scene near the ending of Othello, he may not be as evil as he would at first seem to be. In this particular scene, Iago and Othello decide that they are going to kill Cassio and Desdemona, respectively. However, at the end of the scene, Othello makes Iago his lieutenant, which is what Iago wanted all along. At this point, something breaks inside Iago, and he shows true emotion, in a visual soliloquy. Iago is seen crying at the end of this scene. This is most likely because his plans have gone way too far. Let me explain. Now, both Cassio and Desdemona are going to die, neither of which he wanted originally. Iago just wanted Cassio's job, and Desdemona was just a pawn in his plan. He had no wish for her to die. Also, the original Othello is gone, replaced by a colder, harder, jealous Othello monster thingy. Iago never wanted any of this, all he wanted was to get the job that he believed he rightfully deserved. Iago is not what he is in more ways than one.

Iago Uses Dat Language!

Iago uses words to manipulate Othello by adding in very small things to provoke him. For instance, Iago does not directly come out and say "Your wife is cheating on you with Cassio." Instead, he adds in tiny words, and keeps mentioning Cassio whenever he wants Othello to feel angry. By doing this, he is much more subtle, and he keeps everyone still thinking that he is "Honest Iago." He uses the word "think" a lot, to imply that he believes something, but that it might not be true. He does this when he talks about Cassio's honesty. By using "I think" he plants a seed that will make Othello think that Cassio is not honest. Iago did a similar thing when he was talking about Cassio in Cyprus. He says that he does not want to talk ill about Cassio, then talks ill about him. Iago also talked about Venice at one point in the conversation, and since Venice is a city of mystery, it makes the conversation more mysterious. Iago also references Brabrantio many times, reminding Othello about how Desdemona may be deceiving him.