Look at Iago’s speech (lines 40-65) focusing on language and structure, analyse the speech
Uploaded by nataschay2k on Oct 05, 2002
Iago’s speech exposes Iago’s explicit delights in his treachery. His true concept of his position is revealed and with it the philosophy underlying his malice. We are shown an insight into the mind of Iago.
Iago’s inferiority complex is most prominent at the opening of his speech. From this, his philosophy to follow Othello “to serve [his] turn upon him” is born. Iago’s venomous ridicule for “duteous and knee-crooking knave” is patronising and contemptuous. His scornful mockery is furthered by the use of the noun “knaves” this insinuates that they are insignificant and are inferior to him. He derides those who:
“Wears out his time much like his master’s ass.”
He sees these men, who are faithfully devoted to their masters, as nothing more than mere donkeys: brainless and foolish. This use of bestial imagery runs through out the play and is a very aggressive insult. Iago doubtless has Othello in mind when he ridicules duty. Iago seems to hold less regard for a servant who is not only loyal but enjoys his work:
“that doting on his obsequious bondage”
Iago does not appreciate the purpose in being trustworthy to a master, to Iago it achieves you no purpose as “when he is old” they are “cashier’d”. Iago words suggest scorn for the people who hold honestly and honour dear. His short sneering dismissal “Whip me such honest knaves” of these servants sharply contrasts to the praise he places on servants who are:
“trimm’d in forms and visages of duty.”
When Iago ridicules “honest knaves”, he assumes that the world is divided into schemers and their victims; to trust is to be vulnerable: that trust can be rewarded, not abused, Iago does not consider. Iago now introduces another type of servant, one who shows all outward signs of loyalty but hides behind a veil of lies, secretly scheming behind their master’s backs. These men Iago admires “do themselves homage.” They, in Iago eyes, will make a profit for themselves:
“lin’d their coats”
unlike the pathetic loyal servants who will have nothing. This shows the importance Iago places upon money. “These fellows have some soul,” Iago professes. This is ironic, as Iago seemingly is not using the noun “soul” in the religious sense nor does Iago seem to have a notion of the natural order, Othello being his superior. Presumably Iago uses the noun to mean these people have wit, a backbone, courage and have a strong spirit, all...