Iago's manipulation tactics can be seen in action as they begin to damage Othello's belief of everyone around him. Othello is now practically insane- trying to force confessions of things he should want to be untrue.
- Mar 2025
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woe upon thy life!
This shows just how much Othello has lost his senses. He is threatening death for a confession of something that may or may not be true, and he only wants to hear that his wife has been unfaithful. Othello later uses threats of death to get this confession from Desdemona, who denies it even to her death.
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Villain
I find it interesting that Othello refers to Iago as a villain here. Iago is obviously the villain of the story, but right now he's the person that Othello wants to trust the most. Is he calling him villain for "keeping" the news of Desdemona's "relationship" with Cassio away from him?
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Othello’s occupation’s gone!
Othello feels so betrayed by Desdemona that he no longer feels his sense of honor and societal standing even though none of it is true.
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had been happy if the general camp, Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body, So I had nothing known. O, now, forever Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content!
Othello wishes to had never heard what Iago told him just to grant him peace of mind.
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general
Iago is trying to establish that Othello is his superior, making him seem smaller and like his words don't mean much. This has the opposite effect on Othello, driving him mad while trying to figure out the truth
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rack
More violent imagery- describes how Othello feels, which is just how Iago intended
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Othello now only wants to hear that Desdemona has been unfaithful, and will never be satisfied until she admits this- true or not.
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This passage is where Iago's manipulation really sets into Othello, driving him to madness.
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poppy
This imagery contrasts some of the earlier words like "poison"
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mines of sulfur
Really cool imagery that Shakespeare uses. Sulfur is not the friendliest substance, especially not when burned, and it fits the mood well
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poison
lots of negative/harmful words used to describe Iago's emotions towards Othello
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napkin
This is an example of Iago manipulating Othello by planting evidence
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