English Literature

By close analysis consider how Shakespeare presents the characters of Othello and Iago in Act 3 scene 3

Within Act three Scene three of Othello, Shakespeare develops the characters of Iago and Othello bringing about many changes and moods within the play. Before this scene takes place Othello is portrayed as being a calm, composed and honest character “Let him do his spite: my services, which I have done the signiory shall out-tongue his complaints” (Act one Scene two), however as we see in this scene, that changes and characteristics of Othello’s character are revealed for the first time. In a similar way, Iago’s destructive and manipulative character is developed even more as Shakespeare reveals the true extent of the hold Iago has on Othello.

In this scene of Act three, Shakespeare uses many techniques in order to draw out the characteristics in Othello and the power in Iago. The first line Iago says in this scene is the beginning effect of Othello’s downfall as a character: “Hah! I like not that-“. This phrase comes just after Cassio has left Desdemona after she promises he will regain Othello’s trust and his place as Othello’s lieutenant. This sentence is the turning point of the play as this is the point in which Iago pours poison into Othello’s ears, and as he is such a manipulative character, Shakespeare makes Iago stop at the end of the sentence which creates a pause in which Iago allows Othello to take in the information in the way he wants and respond to it. This effect is frequent throughout the play with Iago constantly leading Othello in the direction he wants him to go. This is again seen in the second sentence from Iago after Othello has asked him to repeat what he said: “Nothing my Lord; or if – I know not what”. Here, Shakespeare again uses the technique of pausing in order to create an implying tone from Iago’s character. Iago is presented as constantly pausing, suggesting and implying, all of which act as the poison which changes Othello’s...