d example of situational irony is in Act II Scene III. Montano tells Iago that Othello “prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio and looks not on his evils”(2. 3. 121-122). This means that Othello trusts Cassio and does not doubt him. This is ironic, because later on in the play Othello believes that Cassio is having and affair with Desdemona. Othello begins to doubt in Cassio’s loyalty to him. Another example of situational irony is in Act III Scene III. In this scene Othello is telling Iago that he is not a jealous man: “Think’st thou I’ld make a life of jealousy? To follow still the changes of the moon with fresh suspicions?”(3. 3. 177-179). Othello also tells Iago that he trusts Desdemona: “Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw the smallest fear or doubt of her revolt,…”(3. 3. 187-188). This is ironic, because later on in the play Othello does doubt Desdemona; Othello does become a jealous man, full of distrust and fear. Here is an example of Othello becoming suspicious of Desdemona; “This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart. Hot, hot, and moist. This hand of your requires a sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer, much castigation, exercise devout; for here’s a young and sweating devil here that commonly rebels”(3. 4. 34-39). These are a few examples of situational irony in “The Tragedy of Othello”.Verbal irony is when there is a “contrast between the literal meaning of what is said and what is meant”(Literary Terms, e-text). There are various cases of verbal irony in “The Tragedy of Othello”. The most obvious example of verbal irony in the play is that several of the main characters refer to the villain Iago as “honest Iago”. This is very ironic, because Iago is far from honest. Throughout the play Iago is lying, cheating, and manipulating the people around him for his evil purpose of destroying Ot...
