hello’s life. An example of this is when Iago says to Othello, “My lord, you know I love you”(3. 3. 116). And to this Othello responds, “I think thou dost; and for I know thou’rt full of love and honesty,…(3. 3. 117-188). This dialogue is ironic because Iago really hates Othello and he is not honest with him. Another example of verbal irony is when Iago says to Roderigo, “What say’st thou, noble heart?”(1. 3. 301). This is a form of verbal irony, because Iago does not really mean that Roderigo has a noble heart. Roderigo is in love with Desdemona and she does not return that love. Roderigo is grief stricken and even talks about committing suicide (which is not what a person with a “noble heart” would do), “It is silliness to live when to live is torment; and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician”(1. 3. 307-308). Another case of verbal irony is when Iago says to Roderigo, “I have professed me thy friend,…”(1. 3. 332). Iago is far from Roderigo’s friend. Iago is using Roderigo for his wicked purpose as he reveals in this passage: “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse; for I mine own gained knowledge should profane if I would time expend with such a snipe but for my sport and profit”(1. 3. 373-376). Another example of verbal irony is when Iago says to Cassio: “I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness”(2. 3. 306). In this passage, Iago states that he acts out of love and kindness, which is far from the truth. Iago advised Cassio in a way that will facilitate his evil plan of ruining Othello’s life. In Act III Scene III Iago says to Othello, “My friend is dead; ’tis done at your request”(3. 3. 474). It is ironic that Iago refers to Cassio as his friend since Iago hates and uses him. These are some examples of verbal irony in the play. Dramatic irony is w...
