Othello Blog 2- Oh the Irony

Irony plays a big part in helping readers to understand our antagonist a little better. In Act II of Shakespeare's Othello, the Moor of Venice, we catch a few glimpses of how "honest Iago" is not as truthful as the other characters might believe. Iago even admits during one of his asides that "But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music, As honest as I am." (Shakespeare II. i. 185-186). Iago is able to deceive the characters because they all believe him to be one of the most honest and trustworthy people over all. He plans to take full advantage of each character's weaknesses, and does not hesitate to tell the audience about it. Therefore, we see dramatic irony in that the audience will know what is going on before the characters of the play do. Lastly, there is also irony in Emilia and Iago's relationship. What ought to be a marriage of love and trust, is not at all. Whether it is because he believes she cheated or not, we see Iago not being receptive to his wife Emilia. Ironic, though, is when he describes all of the different types of women and what makes them special and so forth- without much mention of the wife.