Thursday, August 7, 2014

Who is the man of honesty?

According to Othello, Iago is the man of honesty.
In Act One, Scene 3, Othello tells the Duke that Iago is a man of honesty and trust. Shortly after complimenting his officer, Iago enters the scene, and Othello addresses him by saying, "Honest Iago" (Shakespeare, 1.3.290). Othello proceeds to refer to Iago as honest numerous times throughout the play and has full confidence that his friend is truthful. Tragically, Iago is jealous of Othello and conspires to ruin the general. Iago uses Othello's naive belief and confidence in him against the general. Iago realizes that Othello will believe mostly anything he says because Othello trusts him, which is a major reason why Iago's evil plans are successful. Secure in his confidence that Othello will trust him, Iago decides to lie about Cassio's affair with Desdemona. Unfortunately, Othello believes the most untrustworthy character in the entire play and ends up murdering the love of his life.

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