Color Depiction In Othello Essay

Colour depiction in Othello

Black

Black is the colour of authority and power. Black is the colour of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering.

In Othello, Iago wields a large amount of power. If Iago were to wear black he this would exemplify the fact that he is powerful, even though he does not actually have direct authority over any particular character. Through the use of all the other types of power he becomes powerful. Supposed submission to Othello as a subordinate of the general and as a man, Iago is referred to as Honest Iago as he always follows Othellos orders and is loyal to his face but is malicious and deceptive turning him and others against him while his back is turned. This is supportive of the fact that black can also signify evil and darkness both of which Iago possesses.

Supportive evidence includes

For sir, it is as sure as you are Roderigo,

Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago.

In following him, I follow but myself.

Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,

But seeming so for my particular end.

For when my outward action doth demonstrate

The native act and figure of my heart

In complement extern, 'tis not long after

But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve

For daws to peck at. I am not what I am. (1.1.4)

Iago is all about not revealing his true identity or intentions to anyone. Here, he tells Roderigo that he'll never allow his "outward action[s]" to show what's really going on inside of him because that would leave him vulnerable, kind of like allowing birds ("daws") to peck at his "heart." When Iago says "I am not what I am," he cryptically suggests that he's not what he appears to be. This phrase, we should point out, is an inversion of God's line, "I am what I am" (Exodus 3.14), which is in keeping with the play's alignment of Iago with the devil.

Virtue! a fig! 'tis in ourselves that we are thus

or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which

our wills are gardeners: so that if we will plant

nettles, or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up