Iago's manipulative use of language and Desdemona and Emilia's honesty are major themes in Othello. Iago uses language to manipulate other characters so that he can get his revenge on Othello for hiring Cassio instead of him. On the other hand Desdemona and Emilia use language honestly and remain loyal to their husbands, while Iago is being disloyal to everybody.
Desdemona's use of language in Othello is honest. She seems to always be the peacemaker in her marriage. She struggles to understand Othello because she wants to show her loyalty to her husband and prove she is a good wife. In the beginning of the play when she is brought to the court to defend her relationship with Othello in front of her father, she does so and is honest with her father regardless of the consequences, "To you I am bound for life and education I am hitherto your daughter. But here is my husband. And so much duty as my mother showed you, preferring you before her father, so much I challenge that I may profess Due to the Moor my lord."(21) In other words, she is thankful for what her father has done for her but she will stand by Othello by being honest to her father. Desdemona is honest with Othello also. Even while Othello accuses her of having an affair with Cassio her responsibility of standing by her man still remains. She questions him about why he is accusing her of these things. She knows she doesn't deserve it, but does not defend herself because she does not want to disrespect him. She also does not want to make him angrier. However, she does try to manipulate Othello to attempt to let her live longer, "Kill me tomorrow; let me live tonight But half an hour!"(129) Since she knows she is not guilty of cheating on him she tries to trick Othello into letting her live a little longer so that she can prove she is innocent. Another time she is faithful to Othello are her very last words when Emilia asks her who tried to kill her, "Nobody; I myself.
