Explore the use of symbolism in Othello.

Symbolism in Othello is often used to reflect on the flaws and perspectives of Shakespeare's contemporary society; Shakespeare also employs symbolism in highlighting the inner lives of his characters as well as conveying human emotions and traits effectively. This is demonstrated in Shakespeare's symbolic use of location in Cyprus and Venice, Symbols such as blackness and primitiveness associated with Othello, and the use of monsters and the demonic in illustrating Othello's and Iago's jealousy.
In Othello, location is an important symbol which Shakespeare uses to criticise and reflect on his own society. For example the play begins in Venice, a city renowned for it's justice system and its cosmopolitan attitudes yet also frowned upon for it's perceived embrace of promiscuity and sin. Shakespeare continually criticises this hypocrisy; as demonstrated in the duality of Iago. Although Iago is perceived as "thy honest Iago" by Othello and his Venetian peers, through the use of Soliloquy Shakespeare reveals his true character, "a liar, betrayer, mental torturer" as Honigmann asserts. For example, in Act 1 Iago confidently defends Othello; "I had thought to have yerk'd him under the ribs"; yet it is revealed shortly after that Iago is only manipulating and deceiving Othello as he boasts of making "my fool my purse". Soliloquy is often used to highlight a protagonist's inner thoughts and motivations, Shakespeare however uses it in emphasising Iago's duality and inner villain.