Figures of speech

Figures of speech

1. Figures of speech ➙ dramatic irony: Iago's soliloquy's

2. Iago: “After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear, that he is too familiar with his wife, he hath a person and a smooth dispose”

   • Iago plans to convince Othello he isn't keeping track of wife, someone likes her. Only Iago and the audience knows of this plan.

3. The audience sympathetic towards the characters, before we get to know the characters completely. We do this through other character’s perceptions of them. So as an audience, we are supposed to feel sympathy for Othello’s gullibility, as Iago constructs his downfall.

4. We know how inappropriate Othello’s responses are, coz we know Desdemona's innocent.

   • we watch as Othello is manipulated by Iago, eventually believing that Iago has “ocular proof” (Act 3, scene 3) against his wife and of her infidelity.

5. The term “Honest Iago” (Act 1, scene 3) is repeated throughout the play, is symbolic and reveals the contradiction and irony in Iago’s representations of himself - this adds to the dramatic irony.