Compare and contrast Iago's and Othello's language throughout the play. How does each man's language illustrate his character? At what point do the characters begin to speak alike? What are the implications of this change?
This is really Mrs. Hollifield - In the first two acts of the play, Iago uses very base, degrading language that reveals his evil, duplicitous nature. For instance, when he uses racist comments toward Othello he uses phrases that are extremely derogatory. Othello, however, speaks very eloquently and respectfully, like when he speaks to the Duke and the council about he and Desdemona. After Othello's suspicions towards Desdemona have been piqued, however, Othello's language degrades and he begins to sound like Iago in both his choice of words and his tone. He calls Desdemona a "whore" numerous times and he threatens Iago and Cassio. His actions change as well. Lodovico and Gratiano recognize his actions as out-of-character when he strikes Desdemona. It's as if Iago poisons Othello in Cyprus, changing him in speech and demeanor.
I agree with Mrs. Hollifield. At the beginning of the play, Othello is a very good speaker and has a respectful tone. Iago on the other hand, used downgrading and bad language and had an evil tone throughout the play. Iago then talked Othello into believing Desdemona was unfaithful. Othello then began to talk like Iago and using foul language.
Yes I agree with Mrs. Hollifield. Othello's and Iago's language at the beginning of the play was very different. Othello spoke as a very high class man while Iago spoke as a jelous and mad man using foul language. As Iago lured Othello into believing that Desdemona wasn't honest to him, Othello's tone and language started changing too. Reading their parts, they almost collide together and you can't tell them apart.
The difference in the language used by Iago and Othello further illustrates the difference between the two characters. In Concurrence with Mrs. Hollifield, I agree that Othello’s language was one of dignity, honor and respect, while Iago’s was one of jealousy, manipulation and debauchery. The language represents the type of person each character is. Othello is a well rounded respected man and Iago is a manipulative excuse of a person point blank period. Othello’s language justifies his honor just as his actions do and the same goes for Iago.
Yeah Mrs. Hollifield is pretty much right, go figure. I agree that Othello's tone changes to match his emotions and his ever changing, turbulent relationship with Desdemona. Also, I'm not sure how correct this is, but it seems Othello is more direct in his speech, gets straight to the point. This matches his personality, honest authentic. While Iago's speech is more flowery and and not as to the point which parallels his personality, deceptive and sneaky.
I agree with Mrs. Hollifield. In the beginning Othello's language was very respectful of Desdemona and to everyone in general. Once Iago filled his head with lies his language towards his wife changes to degrading and unpleasant like Iago's was in the first place.
I agree with Mrs. Hollifield. At the beginning of the play Othello was a very respectful person dispite the way people treat him over his race. After Iago starts to go through with his plan Othello seems to degrade himself to the person that everyone is making him out to be. He hits his wife and starts name calling. Othello becomes as superstitious as Iago.
This is Kelly. I agree with Mrs. Hollifield, and everyone else. Othello's language changes drastically throughtout the play. At the beginning he speaks in a very respectful tone towards Desdemona as well as everyony else. After Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona cheated, Othello's tone completely changed. His voice is now filled with hatred and disrespect.
I agree with Mrs. Hollifield. In the beginning Othello speaks in a very respectful tone about Desdemona. But after he speaks with Iago about his wife being false and untrustworthy his attitude and tone begin to change dramatically. Othello starts degrading his wife and he even slaps her infront Lodovico and Gratiano, which is unlike his character. He and Iago begin to sound much alike and they begin to take the same actions.
I think it's interesting as well that at the very end of the play when Othello is giving his "farewell" speech - telling people how he wants to be remembered - he again speaks beautifully and persuasively about himself and his situation. He says he is "Like the base Indian [who] threw a pearl away richer than all his tribe." It's like he realizes with regret what he has done, but it's too late. He also calls himself a "circumcised dog." I think this is appropriate because Iago took everything away from him, his manhood included because he thought that his wife was cheating on him - made him feel emasculated.
Iago may have caused Othello to change his speech in Cyprus, but Othello's nature was always the same. He stole Desdemona without asking her Father, he then killed her, both acts are signs of a criminal.
Yes, I too agree with mrs. Hollifield. Othello and Iago in the beginning were complete opposites. Iago was on one level and Othello was on another. Near the end when Othello sees suspicion in Desdemona, his tone for her changed. By calling her names, he stoops down to Iago's level and changes for the worst completely.
As it is Othello I believe uses romatacism languange throughout the whole play. He spices everything up with a poetic air. I have to disagree with Iago's form of language though. I thought that his languange from the beginning was very determined and justified that what he spoke of he believed in very much and was passionate about it. It was only later that his speeches and languange became harsh and derogatory. Anyone I believe could have easily been duped by Iago's words. I know I would have though I am a bit on the gullible side to begin with.
I see eye to eye with Mrs. Hollifield. I see how Shakespeare uses differentiation of diction to further define the difference between Iago and Othello. Iago’s manipulative choice of words causes his character to be known as an evil villain. On the other hand, Othello’s affectionate word choice shows his love for Desdemona and his true feelings for her.
I also agree with mrs.hollifield. Throughout the beginning of the play, Othello spoke with a respectful tone. On the other hand, Iago spoke fouly refering to Othello as "thicklips" and "blackram." The more Iago got into his mind,the less respectful and eloquent he became. He began to called Desdemona a whore and accused her of cheating.
Shelby- I agree with Mrs. Hollifield. In the beginning, Iago and Othello have very different ways of speaking. Iago is negative and degrading, while Othello is respectful and polite. After Othello starts to believe Iago's accusations towards Desdemona and Cassio, he changes his tone completely. He begins to talk about Desdemona, his one true love, in a disrespectful and unacceptable manner. He calls her a "whore" and strikes her, something he would have never done in the beginning of their relationship.
I agree with the class on this one. Mrs. Hollifield hits the nail on the head about Othello's changing demeanor towards people. It is like Iago poisons Othello in Cyprus, Othello begins to lose his well respected position in people's minds because his own mind is slowly turning, which is shown by his speech change.
19 comments:
This is really Mrs. Hollifield - In the first two acts of the play, Iago uses very base, degrading language that reveals his evil, duplicitous nature. For instance, when he uses racist comments toward Othello he uses phrases that are extremely derogatory. Othello, however, speaks very eloquently and respectfully, like when he speaks to the Duke and the council about he and Desdemona. After Othello's suspicions towards Desdemona have been piqued, however, Othello's language degrades and he begins to sound like Iago in both his choice of words and his tone. He calls Desdemona a "whore" numerous times and he threatens Iago and Cassio. His actions change as well. Lodovico and Gratiano recognize his actions as out-of-character when he strikes Desdemona. It's as if Iago poisons Othello in Cyprus, changing him in speech and demeanor.
I agree with Mrs. Hollifield. At the beginning of the play, Othello is a very good speaker and has a respectful tone. Iago on the other hand, used downgrading and bad language and had an evil tone throughout the play. Iago then talked Othello into believing Desdemona was unfaithful. Othello then began to talk like Iago and using foul language.
Yes I agree with Mrs. Hollifield. Othello's and Iago's language at the beginning of the play was very different. Othello spoke as a very high class man while Iago spoke as a jelous and mad man using foul language. As Iago lured Othello into believing that Desdemona wasn't honest to him, Othello's tone and language started changing too. Reading their parts, they almost collide together and you can't tell them apart.
The difference in the language used by Iago and Othello further illustrates the difference between the two characters. In Concurrence with Mrs. Hollifield, I agree that Othello’s language was one of dignity, honor and respect, while Iago’s was one of jealousy, manipulation and debauchery. The language represents the type of person each character is. Othello is a well rounded respected man and Iago is a manipulative excuse of a person point blank period. Othello’s language justifies his honor just as his actions do and the same goes for Iago.
Yeah Mrs. Hollifield is pretty much right, go figure. I agree that Othello's tone changes to match his emotions and his ever changing, turbulent relationship with Desdemona. Also, I'm not sure how correct this is, but it seems Othello is more direct in his speech, gets straight to the point. This matches his personality, honest authentic. While Iago's speech is more flowery and and not as to the point which parallels his personality, deceptive and sneaky.
I agree with Mrs. Hollifield. In the beginning Othello's language was very respectful of Desdemona and to everyone in general. Once Iago filled his head with lies his language towards his wife changes to degrading and unpleasant like Iago's was in the first place.
I agree with Mrs. Hollifield. At the beginning of the play Othello was a very respectful person dispite the way people treat him over his race. After Iago starts to go through with his plan Othello seems to degrade himself to the person that everyone is making him out to be. He hits his wife and starts name calling. Othello becomes as superstitious as Iago.
This is Kelly. I agree with Mrs. Hollifield, and everyone else. Othello's language changes drastically throughtout the play. At the beginning he speaks in a very respectful tone towards Desdemona as well as everyony else. After Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona cheated, Othello's tone completely changed. His voice is now filled with hatred and disrespect.
I agree with Mrs. Hollifield. In the beginning Othello speaks in a very respectful tone about Desdemona. But after he speaks with Iago about his wife being false and untrustworthy his attitude and tone begin to change dramatically. Othello starts degrading his wife and he even slaps her infront Lodovico and Gratiano, which is unlike his character. He and Iago begin to sound much alike and they begin to take the same actions.
I think it's interesting as well that at the very end of the play when Othello is giving his "farewell" speech - telling people how he wants to be remembered - he again speaks beautifully and persuasively about himself and his situation. He says he is "Like the base Indian [who] threw a pearl away richer than all his tribe." It's like he realizes with regret what he has done, but it's too late. He also calls himself a "circumcised dog." I think this is appropriate because Iago took everything away from him, his manhood included because he thought that his wife was cheating on him - made him feel emasculated.
I agree with everybody else when they agree with Mrs. Hollifield. Othello alway sspeaks in a respectful tone while Iago is very degrading.
Iago may have caused Othello to change his speech in Cyprus, but Othello's nature was always the same. He stole Desdemona without asking her Father, he then killed her, both acts are signs of a criminal.
The previous post was Terry Burgess.
Yes, I too agree with mrs. Hollifield. Othello and Iago in the beginning were complete opposites. Iago was on one level and Othello was on another. Near the end when Othello sees suspicion in Desdemona, his tone for her changed. By calling her names, he stoops down to Iago's level and changes for the worst completely.
As it is Othello I believe uses romatacism languange throughout the whole play. He spices everything up with a poetic air. I have to disagree with Iago's form of language though. I thought that his languange from the beginning was very determined and justified that what he spoke of he believed in very much and was passionate about it. It was only later that his speeches and languange became harsh and derogatory. Anyone I believe could have easily been duped by Iago's words. I know I would have though I am a bit on the gullible side to begin with.
I see eye to eye with Mrs. Hollifield. I see how Shakespeare uses differentiation of diction to further define the difference between Iago and Othello. Iago’s manipulative choice of words causes his character to be known as an evil villain. On the other hand, Othello’s affectionate word choice shows his love for Desdemona and his true feelings for her.
I also agree with mrs.hollifield. Throughout the beginning of the play, Othello spoke with a respectful tone. On the other hand, Iago spoke fouly refering to Othello as "thicklips" and "blackram." The more Iago got into his mind,the less respectful and eloquent he became. He began to called Desdemona a whore and accused her of cheating.
Shelby-
I agree with Mrs. Hollifield. In the beginning, Iago and Othello have very different ways of speaking. Iago is negative and degrading, while Othello is respectful and polite. After Othello starts to believe Iago's accusations towards Desdemona and Cassio, he changes his tone completely. He begins to talk about Desdemona, his one true love, in a disrespectful and unacceptable manner. He calls her a "whore" and strikes her, something he would have never done in the beginning of their relationship.
I agree with the class on this one. Mrs. Hollifield hits the nail on the head about Othello's changing demeanor towards people. It is like Iago poisons Othello in Cyprus, Othello begins to lose his well respected position in people's minds because his own mind is slowly turning, which is shown by his speech change.
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