Like the repeated references to plants, references to animals convey a sense that the laws of nature, rather than those of society, are the primary forces governing the characters in this play. That organic growth also indicates that the minds of the other characters are fertile ground for Iago’s efforts. The organic way in which Iago’s plots consume the other characters and determine their behaviour makes his conniving, human evil seem like a force of nature. Iago cultivates his notions so that they become lethal poisons and then plants their seeds in the minds of others. Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons (A3,S3). ![]() Ii) The Moor already changes with my poison. I) I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear (A2,S3) Many of Iago’s botanical references concern poison: Iago understands these natural forces particularly well: he is, according to his own metaphor, a good “gardener,” both of himself and of others. Iii) And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand, / Cry ‘O sweet creature!’, then kiss me hard, / As if he plucked kisses up by the roots, / That grew upon my lips (A3,S3).Ĭharacters in this play seem to be the product of certain inevitable, natural forces, which, if left unchecked, will grow wild. Ii) Though other things grow fair against the sun, / Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe (A2,S3) the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills (A1,S3) I) Our bodies are our gardens, to which our wills are gardeners so that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme. His speeches to Roderigo in particular make extensive and elaborate use of vegetable metaphors and conceits. ![]() Iago is strangely preoccupied with plants. The action of the play depends heavily on characters not seeing things: i) Othello accuses his wife although he never sees her infidelity, and ii) Emilia, although she watches Othello erupt into a rage about the missing handkerchief, does not “see” what her husband has done. Othello, though he demands “ocular proof”, is frequently convinced by things he does not see: i) he demotes Cassio as lieutenant based on the story Iago tells ii) he relies on Iago’s story of seeing Cassio wipe his beard with Desdemona’s handkerchief and iii) he believes Cassio to be dead simply because he hears him scream. There are many references to different kinds of sight and blindness in the play: She is unconcerned with his blackness – she is not blinded by it as other characters appear to be. Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colours used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.ĭesdemona has the power to see Othello for what he is in a way that even Othello himself cannot. Note: Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.
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