Iago - Act 4 Scene 1 (a)

Iago seems to be commanding Othello's imagination to conjure up images of infidelity early in this scene. "Lie with her? Lie on her? We say lie on her when they belie her. Lie with her! Zounds, that's fulsome! Handkerchief- Confessions- handkerchief!" Most of this is exclamatory, reinforcing Othello's shock and disbelief. We soon see that his sentences become incomplete and incoherent through repetition which indicates a breakdown. He is barely in control of his senses- thus, Othello has a fit. Iago enjoys his power of watching the Moor suffer. It is ironic that Iago call his poisonous influence "medicine" and it is cruel that Iago should tell Othello to "bear your fortune like a man" while torturing him with thoughts of those who make other men cuckolds every night. He intends to attack Othello's manhood.

Furthermore, we see that Othello is reduced to asking questions instead of commanding. "How shall I murder him, Iago?" He is in Iago's control despite the fact it is difficult for Othello to submit to his ensign's view. He gives in as his shocking words "I will chop her into messes! Cuckold me!" highlight egotism and savagery- Iago has turned Othello into the stereotype of a primitive black man described in Act 1 Scene 1. Othello initially intends to poison Desdemona; this proves that he has adopted Iago's characteristics. Iago then persuades him to strangle Desdemona which is much more aggressive and physical. The act of strangling someone intense and takes a lot of nerve to do it. Disturbing as it seems, Othello agrees to this. Iago is successful in his objectives throughout this scene.

When Cassio enters the scene we see that Othello uses "asides" which represents an alienation; Othello has been removed and eavesdrops on Iago and Cassio's conversations which makes him seem almost like an outsider. Iago's deliberate innuendos within this conversation agitate Othello- he is now torn between his wife's sweetness and her treachery.

By Yusuf and Joseph.