A Comprehensive Analysis of Iago's Soliloquy in Shakespeare's Othello

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of Iago's soliloquy in William Shakespeare's Othello. The analysis focuses on the dramatic purpose of the soliloquy, revealing Iago's manipulative plan to destroy Othello's life through his relationships. The essay examines key themes, including jealousy, revenge, manipulation, appearance versus reality, and sexism, as demonstrated through Iago's words and actions. The essay highlights Iago's exploitative and boastful character, his hatred for Othello, and his scheme to use Cassio to achieve his goals. The analysis explores how Iago's soliloquy reveals his malicious intent and his ability to exploit others' weaknesses, ultimately driving the plot forward and shaping the tragic events of the play. The essay also explores the importance of soliloquies in Shakespeare's works in portraying characters' thoughts, emotions, and individualistic natures.

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Othello’s soliloquy analysis
William Shakespeare always skillfully employed soliloquies in his works. Soliloquy plays a very
important role in as evidenced by Iago throughout the play Othello. With the primary intention
of bringing out the themes, thoughts, and emotions of the character in the picture as well as the
individualistic characters, soliloquies are mostly presented to the audience by the character in a
speech form. ("Shakespeare's Soliloquies & Monologues: A Definition")
Soliloquy as brought out through Iago, mostly alter the audience’s original opinion of him. The
audiences at some instance pity Iago while at other times hate him when soliloquy is used to
reflect his dark side. This excerpt is the first in Iago’s eleven soliloquies in Othello. It is during
that time when he was conversing with Roderigo. His capacity to manipulate others with ease is
also displayed here, which is the dramatic purpose of the act (Moncrief, et al. 89)
Starting from the statement, ’thus do I make my fool my purse’ and the coverage of the entire
excerpt, Iago says that that is why he has always been carrying it out. He is referring to getting
money from those he refers to as fools. He goes on to say that he could be underutilizing his
competencies if he could not manage to profitably gain while engaging with such a jerk. The

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dramatic purpose of these lines is to bring out the character of Iago who is exploitative and
boastful at the same (Bickley and Stevens 113).
The theme of hatred is displayed when Iago reveals his hate for the Moor because of the
extensive rumors that the Moor had slept with his wife. He, however, says that he is not sure
about those claims when he says He’s done my office. I know not if’s be true, but I, for mere
suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety’. He proceeds to say that his suspicion only is
enough. Iago’s, in this case, explains the theme of misogyny and jealousy because it all seems
contravened. He then says that Cassio, who is a handsome man, thinks highly of him and will
help him by using Cassio to hurt Othello while he gets his position concurrently. This, together
with the fact that he chooses to overlook proof of the rumors about the cheating between Othello
and Emilia is an open theme of revenge in the making (Smith and Rowe 178).
The theme of sexism is also strongly evident in this soliloquy. He says that after some time, he
will begin informing Othello that
Cassio is so close to Desdemona. He describes Cassio as the kind of man who is good at talking
and also has the good looks who people will expect to be a seducer.
That Moor is open and straightforward, Moor takes anybody who seems honest to be honest is
the theme of appearance versus reality (Shakespeare 189) . He thereafter says that people who
are like Moor are easy to manipulate. The theme of manipulation is dominant in this line as Iago
explains what a simple task it will be to deal with people like Moor due to their character of not
questioning things. Integrity as a theme is also demonstrated here, Iago’s view of Moor’s
judgment on honesty means, the Moor is straightforward but naive and Iago is set to exploit this.

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It is all set, he says and adds that he has planned it well and only needs some help from the devil
to successfully execute his horrible plan. This statement explains Iago’s vengeful and malicious
character, which he actually is on many occasions in the plan (Cousins and Derrin 114).

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Works Cited
Bickley, Pamela, and Jennifer Stevens. Essential Shakespeare: The Arden Guide to Text and
Interpretation. 2013.
Cousins, Anthony D, and Daniel Derrin. Shakespeare and the Soliloquy in Early Modern
English Drama. 2018.
Moncrief, Kathryn M, Shakespeare Expressed: Page, Stage, and Classroom in Shakespeare and
His Contemporaries. 2013.
"Shakespeare's Soliloquies & Monologues: A Definition." Modern English Shakespeare
Resources: Facts, Plays, Sonnets, www.nosweatshakespeare.com/quotes/definition-
monologue-soliloquy/. Accessed 2016.
Shakespeare, William. Othello. 2009.
Smith, Bruce R, and Katherine Rowe. The Cambridge Guide to the Worlds of
Shakespeare. 2016.