William Shakespeare’s the Othello Play: An Irony

Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. There are: Situational, Verbal and Dramatic irony on Shakespeare's ‘Othello’ play. Situational irony occurs when there is an incongruity between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. So it sometimes called irony of events. There are many situational ironies in the paper. For example; the first, Iago and Roderigo are walking on the street of Venice near the house of Brabrantio. They informed Brabrantio that his daughter has eloped with Othello. They came there because Roderigo loved Desdemona and Iago has promised him that he will help him to get her. The second, Emilia steals Desdemona's handkerchief and Iago use this handkerchief for cheating Othello. The third, when Casio loses his job, Desdemona insists Othello to call Casio on the job and she doesn't know that it was Iago's plan to bring Casio and Desdemona together to cheat Othello. We can see Verbal irony in the paper. Verbal irony which a person says one thing and means another uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning. There are many example of Verbal irony in the study as when Iago says “I am not what I am.” and other example is in the first act when Iago tells Roderigo that ' I am for you ‘. Therefore there are examples of Dramatic irony in the 'Othello' play. Dramatically irony is frequently contrasted with verbal irony. It occurs when the reader / audience knows something that the characters don’t. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in that all of the characters betrayed by Iago trust him absolutely. Roderigo believes Iago to be his friend, assisting him to advance his relationship with Othello. Othello himself labels his ensign ' honest Iago ' and trust him with advising him on his wife. Desdemona uses Iago to help with reinstating Cassio to his position with Othello. Cassio allows Iago to talk him in to drinking and losing the respect and position he held with Othello. Finally Emilia is betrayed into giving Desdemona's handkerchief to Iago which brings about the chain of events which end in tragedy. Thus, the irony play has much use of irony and through this device only Shakespeare actually gets success of reaching the reader /audience and making them feel the tragedy.