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Rodrigo Escobar
Professor Matthew Vann
603-103-MQ: Shakespeares Protean Art

An Ensigns Plan: Language in William Shakespeares Othello

George Orwell states that if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt
thought, suggesting that words have the capacity to shape beliefs and thought processes (Orwell
4). In William Shakespeares Othello, Iago hypocritically tells Cassio that [r]eputation is an
idle and most false / imposition, oft got without merit and lost without / deserving. You have lost
no reputation at all unless you / repute yourself such a loser (2.3.259-262). Through Iagos plan
to tarnish everyones reputation while maintaining his own, William Shakespeares Othello also
implies that words hold the capacity to shape thought, as Iagos insincere comfort to Cassio
demonstrates how the former uses the power of language to undermine his enemies reputation
while preserving his own.
Iagos constant desire to stain the reputation of others by the use of thought-provoking
words demonstrates how his scheme rests on the fact that reputation is crucial to people, showing
that he does not in fact believe reputation is a useless quality and demonstrating languages
powerful nature. As Iago and Roderigo attempt to wake Barbantio and urge him to confront
Othello, Iago says to Barbantio, Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul: / Even now,
now, very now, and old black ram / Is tupping your white ewe. / [] / The devil will make a
grandsire of you (1.1.87-91). Iago carefully shapes Barbantios thoughts as he employs
powerful words to make him realize that his reputation is at peril, also attacking Othellos name
by using animalistic language. By tarnishing the reputation of his enemies in order to bring about

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their downfall, Iago demonstrates that reputation is in fact an important matter to the eyes of
those around him and not an idle one. This contradiction and his use of strong language to stain
Othellos and Barbantios reputation shows how language is a very powerful tool that can be
used to provoke thoughts into minds.
In fact, Iago convinces those around him of his innocence by employing powerful
language in order to maintain his own reputation, proving that reputation is not a useless attribute
and that words are powerful enough to trick the mind. As Othello demands Iago to explain who
initiated the fight at the party, Iago states, I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth /
Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio (2.3.212-213). Iagos very hypocritical assertion
demonstrates how he judiciously chooses his words in order to preserve his reputation of an
honest, trustworthy, and respectful man. Iago despises Cassio and wishes his demise, but his
public words say otherwise, which serve to maintain a good reputation with his superiors. Iago
does not believe that reputation is indeed idle, as he constantly reinforces his own by employing
the power of his words, implying that language has the ability to give one a false identity while
making others think that it is true.

Word count: 376.

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Works Cited
Orwell, George. Politics and the English Language. 1946. UBC. 8 September 2016.
http://blogs.ubc.ca/.