Othello - appearance vs reality Flashcards
“I am not what I am” (Iago 1.1)
-Signals he is not all he appears to be.
-Deeper subversive meaning - parodic allusion to biblical quote from Exodus, Moses asks God his name & God offers enigmatic response “I am that I am” - negative formulation, Iago indicates his identity a a diabolical figure.
“The Moor is of free and open nature
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by th’ nose
As asses are” (Iago 1.3)
-Soliloquy declaring his intention to manipulate Rod. for his own gain.
-Turns attention to Oth. and hatred for him.
-Both Rod. and Oth. believe too readily in Iago’s friendship - Oth. thinks “men honest that but seem to be so”.
-Iago intends to use Oth. as he will Rod. exploiting naïve beliefs in reality of appearance to lead him to his own destruction.
“Men should be what they seem,
Or those that be not, would they might seem none!” (Iago 3.3)
-To Oth. during discussion of Cassio’s trustworthiness.
-These words have an ironic ring given his previous claims about his own deviousness.
-Doubly ironic - espouses the truism not just to cover up his own treachery but also to cause Oth. to doubt Cassio’s honesty.
-Duplicity demonstrated points to his deep-seated cynicism about world & warning to audience to remain wary of appearances.
