Sunday, September 7, 2014

Does Othello contain any examples of ethos, pathos, or logos in the play? What rhetorical devices does Shakespeare use in Othello?

When Iago discusses his dissatisfaction with not being
promoted to lieutenant with Roderigo, he uses logic (logos) to render a solid argument.
Cassio is a foreigner, inexperienced and a mathematician to boot - surely not the
qualities required of a lieutenant, yet he had received the promotion. He effectively
also uses ethos: that he had been loyal to Othello, that he had been in battle at his
side and that even senior senators had vouched for him. These were all factors which
should have been enough to secure him the promotion.


Iago
furthermore appeals to Othello's emotions (pathos), by vividly describing how Cassio had
declared his love and desire for Desdemona when he had shared a bed with Iago. That
Cassio had embraced him and had passionately kissed him in a delirious dream, believing
that Iago was Desdemona! This is obviously an odious lie, but Othello is overcome with
emotion on hearing the lurid detail.


When Iago advises
Cassio to approach Desdemona in an attempt to regain his position after his dismissal,
telling him that Desdemona is compassionate and that she has control over Othello, he
appeals to Cassio's sense of logic (logos).   Since Desdemona is the love of his life,
Othello would listen to her. This piece of advice is appealing to Cassio, for it seems
to make sense. Little does he realize that this is part of Iago's grand scheme to
manipulate events and further demonize both Cassio and
Desdemona.


In another instance, Iago cleverly uses
rhetorical questions by acting as if he does not know what Othello is talking about.
After witnessing Cassio taking leave of Desdemona, 'guilty-like', Iago remarks, 'I like
not that.' When Othello later enquires about his comment, Iago feigns ignorance,
answering each of Othello's questions with another question, further infuriating Othello
and creating even more suspicion in Othello's already confused
mind.


It is interesting to note that Iago is intimately
trusted by all those with whom he associates. It is only when the damage of his evil
manipulation has been done, that the real truth of his Machiavellian machinations are
discovered. 

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