Jealousy In Othello

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Pages: 4

Othello Human eyes are often deceived by appearance and convention. In Othello, by William Shakespeare, many characters are unable to see the truth of matters because they are seduced by what they want to hear rather than what they know to be true. Iago is a master of language and by twisting his words to fit the person, he gains control and completely convinces anyone without telling many lies. The irony in the use of the word ‘honest’ throughout Othello demonstrates the human being’s inability to see beyond a façade.
Othello is easiest to deceive because of the beliefs already imposed upon him by society. At first, he seems quick to trust others, calling Iago, “a man of honesty and trust”(I.iii.317). Iago should be the man Othello
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Emilia is remarkably intelligent and clear-sighted, more so than Othello or Desdemona because of her detachment from the entire situation. She keeps an emotional distance and is able to see things as an impartial observer, until the end. As Othello’s behavior becomes suspicious, Emilia speculates that, “The Moor's abused by some most villainous knave / O heaven, that such companions thou'dst unfold, / And put in every honest hand a whip / To lash the rascals naked through the world” (IV.ii.171-175). Her guess is absolutely correct, but ironically she does not recognize whom she is describing. She is married to the man, yet she is only aware of what he is willing to show her. The façade that he presents is not his true nature and Emilia knows this, but she is practical and condones his actions as long as they are not too drastic. She believes that Iago would not stoop to such measures as to make Othello doubt Desdemona to serve his own ends. This plot encroaches on forbidden territory, her love for her mistress Desdemona. Emilia is the only one who understands that Iago’s personality is a façade but even she does not know what terrible things lie hidden behind