Iago Soliloquy Analysis

Iago Soliloquy Analysis

Background

Techniques

• Iago and Roderigo are left alone after everyone leaves to celebrate victory
• Iago tells Roderigo of how Desdemona has 'the eye' for Cassio
• He tells Roderigo that Desdemona only likes Othello for his stories and body and will grow tired of him soon
• Roderigo is thus committed to Iago's plans to get Cassio removed from his position
• Also sets up Roderigo for Iago's plan to kill Cassio.

• 'let thy soul be instructed.'
• Personification of soul
• Telling Roderigo to let his emotions decide and not think
• 'When the blood is made dull with the act of sport'
• Blood used to express emotion-blood boils when angry-not interested in sex
• Backed up 'act of sport'-demonstrates how no longer done for pleasure

Act 2 Scene 1

Iago's trickery

More techniques

• 'requisites in him that folly and green minds look after'
• Green means young, inexperienced but also motif of jealousy, implanting idea of jealousy in Roderigo's head
• 'her delicate tenderness will find itself abused'
• Personnification of her tenderness
• Again increases Roderigo's hatred of the Moor as he is 'abusing' Desdemona and also tells Roderigo he must save Desdemona from Othello

• 'loveliness in favor, sympathy in years, manners and beauties. All which the Moor is defective in'
• Again talks about weaknesses of the Moor, justifying Roderigo stealing his wife
• 'can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself. A devilish knave. Besides, the knave is handsome, young'
• Says how Cassio takes advantage of the moment, telling Roderigo he will have to do whatever Iago says to take advantage of moment
• Also saying Cassio is handsome, young

to increase Roderigo's hatred

Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed. Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies. To love him still for prating? Let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed, and what delight shall she have to look on the devil? When the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should be a game to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favor, sympathy in years, manners and beauties. All which the Moor is defective in. Now for want of these required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor. Very nature will instruct her in it and compel her to some second choice. Now sir, this granted—as it is a most pregnant and unforced position—who stands so eminent in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does? A knave very voluble, no further conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil and humane seeming, for the better compassing of his salt and most hidden loose affection. Why, none, why, none! A slipper and subtle knave, a finder of occasions that has an eye, can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself. A devilish knave. Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after. A pestilent complete knave, and the woman hath found him already.