A Sociocognitive Discourse Study of Racism in Iago's Speech in Shakespeare's Othello

Abstract

The aim of this study is to conduct a sociocognitive analysis of Iago's speech in Shakespeare's Othello. The sociocognitive discourse is used as a methodological tool to uncover the cognitive complexity of Iago, and to explore how his metaphorical and lexical choices reflect a racial tendency among a portion of people in Elizabethan society. Iago’s speech is perused through an in-depth analysis of conceptual metaphor and lexicality. The findings of the study show that Iago uses the conceptual metaphor MAN IS ANIMAL to highlight Othello’s negative characteristics, such as stupidity, foolishness, and ugliness in terms of animal behaviour. Iago’s hidden thoughts and plans to manipulate and control Othello’s feelings towards Desdemona are depicted through the BODY PART IS A WHOLE PERSON metaphor. As for lexicality, Iago uses two lexical processes, overlexicalization and relexicalization. In the former, he uses synonymous and near-synonymous items to highlight positive self-presentation (himself) and negative otherpresentation (Othello). In the latter, relexicalization, Iago avoids referring to Othello by his actual names or good attributes, but rather by personal pronouns or by nationality.