The Effect of Lago’s Rhetoric on Othello

The effect of Iago’s rhetoric on Othello.

In Othello, Shakespeare takes Iago’s actions as the main turning point in the play; also, he takes three of the most important modes of persuasion in rhetoric (Pathos, Logos, and Ethos). Those modes of persuasion perfectly describe Iago’s character. Ethos is taking by Iago’s reasons to be against Othello and by what he says and how is him. He can make anyone believe in anything. He has the ability to manipulate every character in the play including Othello. His hate and anger towards him, built Othello’s catastrophe trough the play.

Iago is not an honest man but he is not silly either. His repetition in the play is the way he talks to each character in the play. He made up a lot of different stories by taking the character’s past and present against them. He hates Othello because he did not give him the charge that he wanted. Also, he does not like him because he thinks that he is sleeping with his wife. Since the beginning of the play he started using Roderigo’s love towards Desdemona as a key to manipulate him. “My cause is hearted; thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him. If thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a sport” He made Roderigo think that both are going to work together with a common interest that is to ruin Othello, thing that is not completely true.

He just wants his money and gains his trust so he can use him in his plan of make Othello believes that Desdemona is in love with Cassio.

Shakespeare uses the rhetorical device of pathos in Iago’s soliloquies that reveal the truth about his actions. By Iago’s soliloquies, the reader can tell that he is a liar who is going to do whatever it takes to get his goal no matter how many people will suffer the consequences of his draconian acts. His first soliloquy made the reader understand his draconian plans towards Othello and Cassio. “The Moor is a free and open nature. That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, And will as tenderly be led by th’ nose As asses are”(Lines 419-422). He is going to use Othello’s honesty against him. He new that will be easy to put Othello towards Cassio by making him believe that he is Desdemona’s new love. He will get Cassio’s charge and Othello’s suffer at the same time. He knows that if he gets Othello’s trust he will make him feel miserable.

Finally Logos is used as Iago’s logic. He thinks that