Othello - Essay Plan
Deception
Introduction:
Deception can be described as the act of causing someone to accept what is true as false, or what is
false as true. In Shakespeare’s play Othello deception is one of the driving forces which develops the
plot and is most clearly seen through the character of Iago. Iago is deceptive and manipulative in
word and action and causes the downfall of Othello and the subsequent deaths of Roderigo and
Desdemona. He uses cunning plans, scapegoats and conniving language to deceive Othello into
thinking that his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful. Furthermore Iago’s deception is all the more
effective in thinking of his intentions – to hurt and destroy all in the name of revenge and
entertainment, through this deception Iago takes on the role of the villain who ruins the lives of the
other characters for his own enjoyment. Iago’s deception which causes Othello to go mad with
jealousy and violence and is the root of all conflict present in Othello and is what makes the play a
tragedy as many believe that ‘conflict is the essence of drama’.
Point 1: Iago’s reputation is in of itself a form of deception. All of the characters in the play believe
Iago to be an honest and trustworthy man which makes it easy for Iago to manipulate and deceive
them which he does in the name of revenge and his own amusement.
Critic:
‘Motiveless malignity’ - Coleridge
‘Typical Machiavel’ - William Hazlitt
‘A moral artist, fashioned the world in his own interest’ - William Hazlitt
Quotes:
‘Though I do hate him as I do hell pain, Yet, for necessity of present life, I must show out a
flag and sign of love’
‘I follow him to serve my turn upon him’
‘In following him, I follow but myself’
’double knavery’
‘honest Iago’
Context:
Conventions in revenge tragedies include: a Machiavellian villain, themes of revenge and
atmosphere of terror and retribution. They also heavily feature soliloquies (definition: an
act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers,
especially by a character in a play) murder and corpses and shocking events. These are all
present in Othello. Iago represents the Machiavellian villain and has 8 soliloquies .
Point 2: Iago uses conniving language and manipulative techniques to deceive the other characters.
He utilises persuasive and cohersive language to manipulate Roderigo into doing his bidding and he
Deception
Introduction:
Deception can be described as the act of causing someone to accept what is true as false, or what is
false as true. In Shakespeare’s play Othello deception is one of the driving forces which develops the
plot and is most clearly seen through the character of Iago. Iago is deceptive and manipulative in
word and action and causes the downfall of Othello and the subsequent deaths of Roderigo and
Desdemona. He uses cunning plans, scapegoats and conniving language to deceive Othello into
thinking that his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful. Furthermore Iago’s deception is all the more
effective in thinking of his intentions – to hurt and destroy all in the name of revenge and
entertainment, through this deception Iago takes on the role of the villain who ruins the lives of the
other characters for his own enjoyment. Iago’s deception which causes Othello to go mad with
jealousy and violence and is the root of all conflict present in Othello and is what makes the play a
tragedy as many believe that ‘conflict is the essence of drama’.
Point 1: Iago’s reputation is in of itself a form of deception. All of the characters in the play believe
Iago to be an honest and trustworthy man which makes it easy for Iago to manipulate and deceive
them which he does in the name of revenge and his own amusement.
Critic:
‘Motiveless malignity’ - Coleridge
‘Typical Machiavel’ - William Hazlitt
‘A moral artist, fashioned the world in his own interest’ - William Hazlitt
Quotes:
‘Though I do hate him as I do hell pain, Yet, for necessity of present life, I must show out a
flag and sign of love’
‘I follow him to serve my turn upon him’
‘In following him, I follow but myself’
’double knavery’
‘honest Iago’
Context:
Conventions in revenge tragedies include: a Machiavellian villain, themes of revenge and
atmosphere of terror and retribution. They also heavily feature soliloquies (definition: an
act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers,
especially by a character in a play) murder and corpses and shocking events. These are all
present in Othello. Iago represents the Machiavellian villain and has 8 soliloquies .
Point 2: Iago uses conniving language and manipulative techniques to deceive the other characters.
He utilises persuasive and cohersive language to manipulate Roderigo into doing his bidding and he
