Language And Power In Othello

“It 's surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you 're not comfortable within yourself, you can 't be comfortable with others” (Sydney J. Harris). In the play Othello, William Shakespeare forms the villainous character, Iago, through his complex language and actions. Throughout the entire play, Iago attempts to manipulate numerous people in order to, in the end, only benefit himself. In Othello, the language and action used by each character when they interact with others generate power relationships that constrains characters. In Othello, most of the language (especially by Iago) is used to constrain characters. In Act I, scene III of Othello, Iago addresses the issue of love and lust through an extended metaphor, “Virtue? A fig! 'Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners…”. He compares the body to a garden and willpower to the gardener. In this speech, after Roderigo says he wants to kill himself, Iago tries to convince Roderigo not to end his life for a woman (Shakespeare). By doing this, he manages to give the impression that he is advising Roderigo, while at the same time insulting him and making him and others part of his plan. Iago only wants Roderigo alive to help him with his plan, but after he has served his purpose he could care less whether he lives or dies,