Iago's reference to plants throughout the play.

Iago's reference to plants throughout the play.

1. "Our bodies are our gardens, to which out wills are gardeners" *Our bodies are like gardens and our willpower is like the gardener.

2. "And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand, Cry 'O sweet creature!', then kiss me hard, as if he plucked kiss up by the roots that grew upon my lips" This demonstrated Iago's preoccupation with the plant metaphor and how it functions within the play. Characters in the play are the product of uncertain inevitable, natural forces which, left unchecked will grow wild. Iago suggests that he is a good "gardener"

3. "Though other things grow fair in the sun, Yet the fruits that blossom first will be ripe" *If we're patient, we will be rewarded by the fruits of nature"

4. Many of Iagos botanical references concern poison. Iago cultivates his "conceits" so that they become lethal poisons and then plants their seeds in the minds of others.

   • "I'll poor this pestilence into his ear"
   • "The moor already changes with my poison. Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons"
   • The organic way in which Iago plots and compells other characters makes his conniving, villainous and evil behaviours seem like a force of nature.