How Does Shakespeare Use Persuasive Language in Act 3 Scene 3 to Show the Downfall of Othello?
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How does Shakespeare use persuasive language in Act 3 Scene 3 to show the downfall of Othello?
In Act 3 Scene 3, one of the two characters that greatly influence Othello and his decisions is Iago, for the purpose of getting revenge on both Cassio and Othello. As soon as he enters the scene, we can see him beginning to use his persuasive techniques on Othello, bringing out his fatal flaws. Even his first lines in the scene - ‘Cassio my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it that he would sneak away so guilty-like’ plant the seed of doubt in Othello’s head, and also shows his opportunistic nature to immiadietly begin twisting people’s minds. He then goes on to. He then goes on to begin using rhetorical questions that constantly jump back and forth from suggesting an idea, and then denying it, an example being ‘Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, know of your love?’ and ‘For Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn he is an honest man’. By doing this he was ensuring that Othello was coming to his own conclusions and that is his plan ever did backfire, Othello could only put the blame on himself because it was his own thoughts that led him to do what he did. Iago also continually refers to Othello as ‘my lord’ as a sign of respect, which is a stark difference to his previous title as a Moor. Not only does this deceive Othello into thinking he can trust Iago, but it also shows the audience of Iago’s falsehood very clearly. Cleverly, he also brings Desdemona’s defiance to her own father ‘She did deceive her own father, marrying you’ which again, brings Othello to the conclusion that she is unfaithful. This also links back to Act 1 Scene 1 where Brabantio said that she will do to Othello what he did to her. However, in the end the audience knows Iago’s persuasive language has worked. When Othello is left alone, he is already convinced that Desdemona may be cheating on him by saying, ‘If I do prove her haggard’. He also refers to Iago as a man of ‘exceeding honesty’ which is a...
In Act 3 Scene 3, one of the two characters that greatly influence Othello and his decisions is Iago, for the purpose of getting revenge on both Cassio and Othello. As soon as he enters the scene, we can see him beginning to use his persuasive techniques on Othello, bringing out his fatal flaws. Even his first lines in the scene - ‘Cassio my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it that he would sneak away so guilty-like’ plant the seed of doubt in Othello’s head, and also shows his opportunistic nature to immiadietly begin twisting people’s minds. He then goes on to. He then goes on to begin using rhetorical questions that constantly jump back and forth from suggesting an idea, and then denying it, an example being ‘Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, know of your love?’ and ‘For Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn he is an honest man’. By doing this he was ensuring that Othello was coming to his own conclusions and that is his plan ever did backfire, Othello could only put the blame on himself because it was his own thoughts that led him to do what he did. Iago also continually refers to Othello as ‘my lord’ as a sign of respect, which is a stark difference to his previous title as a Moor. Not only does this deceive Othello into thinking he can trust Iago, but it also shows the audience of Iago’s falsehood very clearly. Cleverly, he also brings Desdemona’s defiance to her own father ‘She did deceive her own father, marrying you’ which again, brings Othello to the conclusion that she is unfaithful. This also links back to Act 1 Scene 1 where Brabantio said that she will do to Othello what he did to her. However, in the end the audience knows Iago’s persuasive language has worked. When Othello is left alone, he is already convinced that Desdemona may be cheating on him by saying, ‘If I do prove her haggard’. He also refers to Iago as a man of ‘exceeding honesty’ which is a...