Animal Imagery

Animal Imagery

1. Effect intended to shock audience, creating a vivid picture that's insulting and discriminatory.

2. Iago: “And old black ram is tupping your white ewe” because it was said at start, audience may feel inclined to experience misconception of Othello’s character, coz it was before we were introduced to the character - we feel as though we cannot trust him, which is also what Iago’s intentions were.

3. Used when belittling characters

   • Cassio admits to being “bestial”.
   • Othello refers to desdemona and Cassio as “goats and monkeys”

4. The foreshadowing is fulfilled when, at the end, Roderigo calls Iago “a damned inhuman dog”, despite the fact that is is already too late.