Poison

Poison

1. Metaphor for jealousy

   • 'Doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards'
     • Act 2, Scene 1
     • Another interpretation could be that Iago believes that Othello has poisoned Emilia, and that this is why he is so fixated on it, because he plans to get even with Othello
     • Prior to this quote within the scene, Iago discusses a rumour that Othello had slept with Emilia. This ignites jealousy within Iago, which is ironic because this is what Iago plans to do to Othello. Also, a 'poisonous mineral' suggests that it is hard to remove, much like the doubt in Othello's mind

2. Represents deception

   • 'This is thy work. The object poisons sight, let it be hid'- Lodovico
     • Act 5, scene 2
     • These are the last lines said in the play. They represent the death, corruption and jealousy that takes place throughout the events of the play
     • It could be suggested that Lodovico (as a high ranking official) has seen through Iago's plan

3. It is often referred to by Iago (the antagonist)

   • He mentions poison as a way to make him appear to be more innocent as he is the one that often poisons the other characters
   • 'Work on, my medicine work'
     • Act 4, scene 1
     • He refers to poison as medicine, which is ironic as he isn't trying to help Othello, he is trying to bring around the end of him
     • Iago shows the characteristics of a Machiavellian villain as he enjoys Othello's suffering

4. Both Iago and poison are deadly

   • Iago manages to manipulate the majority of the other characters in the play

5. How Iago poisons the minds of:

   • Roderigo
     • He poisons Roderigo's mind by getting him to give him jewels and to kill Cassio
   • Emilia
     • He poisons her mind to get her to marry him and to get her to bring him the handkerchief
   • Othello
     • 'The Moor already changes with my poison. Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons. But, with a little act upon the blood, burn like the mines of sulphur'
       • Act 3, scene 3
       • In this soliloquy, Iago tells of how he has infected Othello's mind with the idea of Desdemona cheating with Cassio. They may not taste good at first, but once they are in your mouth, they start burning like hot lava
       • Poison and Iago's words become stronger than Othello
   • Cassio
     • Alcohol can be referred to as poison as once in the blood stream, you are helpless to it. Iago gets Cassio drunk so that he will ruin his reputation
   • Brabantio
     • 'Make after him, poison his delight'
       • Act 1, Scene 1
       • Iago talks about corrupting Brabantio's opinion of his daughter, Desdemona. He uses the language of poison to describe the corruption and create paranoia, which is vital to his overall plan

6. How epilepsy poisons Othello's mind

   • Epilepsy poisons Othello's mind as an illness that he cannot escape from. It causes him to have fits and links to the idea that black slaves had magical powers as it is a sign of maddness