Figurative Language in “Othello”
In “Othello” by William Shakespeare there is an abundance of figurative language. The
character Iago spends much of the story manipulating Othello in conversation. By the end
of the story one could argue that Othello has picked up some of Iago’s conversational
habits and Ideologies. Iago and Othello use some similar figurative language by act V,
especially when describing women. However, they each still maintain a unique manner of
speaking.
Iago is most notable for his fixation on the material world and monetary value. In act I
scene iii, Iago describes his suspicion that Othello slept with his wife, “He has done my
office: I know if’t be true, / But I, for mere suspicion in that kind/ Will do as if for surety”
(Act I, sc. 3, ll.365-67). Iago describes his wife as his office, which suggests that Iago
thinks of his wife strictly in terms of her value to him. Iago’s way of thinking in the lines
quoted above mirrors Othello. Just as Othello believes Desdemona is cheating on him
without sufficient proof, Iago believes the same about his wife, even admitting his false
logic. Suspicion is quite obviously different from proof, but Iago explains how he
considers them one in the same. Throughout Iago’s speeches he continually expresses his
concerns that his wife is cheating on him with other men, namely Othello, “For that I do
suspect the lusty Moor/ Hath leap’d into my seat” (Act II sc. 1, ll. 269). Iago refers to his
