OTHELLO WAG THE DOG ESSAY

"Her name… is now as begrimed and black as my own face"

Simile → Reveals Othello’s internalised racism and self-loathing; Iago exploits this insecurity to control him.

"She has deceived her father, and may thee."

Foreshadowing → Iago plants doubt in Othello, exploiting his trust and setting up Desdemona as unfaithful.

“Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ.”

Biblical allusion + metaphor → Jealousy distorts Othello’s judgement; he treats minor ‘evidence’ as gospel truth.

“I am not what I am.”

Paradox → Iago’s duplicity is clear; he hides his true intentions behind an honest façade to manipulate others.

“Give me the ocular proof.”

High modality + imperative → Othello demands visual certainty, which Iago provides falsely, showing how easily perception is controlled.

“Demand me nothing. What you know, you know.”

Parataxis → Iago’s refusal to speak is a final manipulation; silence conceals the truth, reinforcing that power lies in what is hidden.

The tail wagging the dog

Metaphor → Highlights reversed power structures; the media (tail) controls public and political perception (the dog).

Over-the-shoulder shot of production team (Albanian girl scene)

Film technique + shadows → Reveals the manipulation behind emotional spectacle; media hides creators to make illusion seem real.

Low-angle shots of Brean and Motts

Film technique → Symbolises their power over the public; they exploit patriotism to distract from scandal.

President’s media briefing (face hidden)

Framing + concealment → Manipulates audience with controlled message while hiding the true face of the scandal.

Mise-en-scène at Schumann’s funeral

Visual symbolism → Flags, military setting distract from Schumann’s criminal past; public misled by emotional imagery.

Montage + “Good Ol’ Shoe” song

Non-diegetic sound + visual montage → Public is shown emotionally charged propaganda, shaping false belief in a war hero.