Othello

Use of Irony in Othello

Shakespeare's plays rely largely on irony. There are three kinds

of irony presented in this novel. They are: situational, verbal, and

dramatic. Irony plays an important role in Othello. It creates suspense,

and adds interest to the story.

There are many examples of situational irony in this play. Cassio

was the one Iago wanted dead or out of his position. At the end of the play,

Cassio was the only one that did not die and Othello actually promoted him

to a higher position. In the end Iago never accomplishes what he started

to do-- to get back at Othello and take Cassio's place. Both Othello and

Iago treat their wives horribly. Both killed their wives even through

their innocence. Iago killed his wife because she was working against his

plan. Othello killed his wife because he thought she cheated on him when

she really didn't. Before he killed her, Iago used his wife in a way

that helped him to betray Othello. She was a good friend of Desdemona's

and she worked against her friend without knowing it. She took Desdemona's

handkerchief because Iago said he wanted it. Iago then placed the

handkerchief in Cassio's room to make him look guilty. Also, throughout

the play, it seemed that Othello was the only one who didn't know the truth.

Shakespeare uses situational irony well to make the story more

interesting.

The verbal irony in this novel can sometimes be humorous because

of how ironic it is.

Othello often said things that were actually the opposite of Iago:

"O, thou art wise! 'Tis certain"(IV.I.87), "Honest Iago . . . "(V.II.88),

(II.III.179) & (I.III.319), "I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince

this matter"(II.III.251-52). These lines are just a few of the ironic

that Othello says to Iago. They show the trust that Othello mistakenly

puts in his "best friend." Most things Iago says are ironic and he's

always lying. Othello still considered him his best friend but Iago was

the only one Othello trusted although he was constantly lying. He says, "My

lord, you know I love you"(III.III.136). This is a blatant lie - Iago does

and would do anything to make "his lord's" life miserable. He does not

love Othello. One line that Iago says is very ironic in several ways. He

says, "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster,

which doth mock the meat it feeds on"(III.III.192). This line covers many

things because jealousy is the reason Iago is betraying Othell o and

ruining