Iago and Honesty in Othello
Iago uses the word "honest" in act three of Othello in three primary ways. The first way he uses it is to mean honourable, about Cassio. He uses this meaning of the word to force Othello to doubt Cassio's honesty, and question his hounorablility. The second way is to mean faithful, both about Desdemona and Cassio. Iago uses it in the context that the two may be "truthful," again to make Othello doubt. The third way is Iago's most effective use, which is to use honest in the context to mean truthful, as in, he has told Othello the truth. However, Shakespeare has created tremendous dramatic irony, for we know that Iago is being anything except truthful. The three uses of the word honest are used largely in the subtext of the act, they are used by Iago to force Othello to question his wife's integrity, and honesty. Shakespeare uses the word by Iago to plant tremendous doubt in Othello's mind. The word is also used by Iago in the action line. His objective is constantly to make Othello think things without actually being told them, and Iago's parroting of the word and constant useage do this quite nicely. Iago initially uses the word honest to mean hon
The first time is directed to Cassio. Othello continues to question Iago about Cassio's honesty, to which Iago replies "I dare be sworn I think that he is honest." Iago knows that Cassio is honest, at least in the terms that Othello would care about. However, the specific wording that Shakespeare has chosen seems allows Othello to read into Iago's speech, that while Iago has no evidence to prove otherwise, he doubts Cassio's honesty. Iago has also changed the meaning of the word slightly, to mean that Cassio is faithful, that he is not sleeping with Desdemona. It is as if Iago is having a fun time, pretending that he is not sure if Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. However, Iago himself remains truthful to Othello, in the sense that he is not lying to him. However, his word usage suggests otherwise. He does this later on as well, when Othello asks Iago if he believes that Cassio is as he appears to be, i.e. not having an affair. Iago again says that he "think[s] Cassio's an honest man." Iago knows Cassio is honest in this sense of the word, in the sense that he is not cheating on Othello. However, the subtext around these two lines is again used to make Othello believe that Iago doubts his own words, that while he does not have proof otherwise, he is doubting himself. This accomplishes what Iago wishes to achieve, to plant the idea's into Othello's head without actually straightout lying. This is different from the previous usage because of the meaning of the word has switched from honourable to faithful. The second use of the word is directed towards both Cassio and Desdemona, in separate instances. Shakespeare has Iago use the word honest in three differen
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Approximate Word count = 1146
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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