Stay you, good gentlemen. Look you pale, mistress?
Do you perceive the gastness of her eye?
Nay, if you stare, we shall hear more anon.
Behold her well; I pray you, look upon her:
Do you see, gentlemen? nay, guiltiness will speak,
Though tongues were out of use.
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 5, Scene 1. Iago says this about Bianca, who has just arrived at the scene of Cassio’s stabbing. He is trying to manipulate Gratiano and Lodovico into thinking that Bianca was involved in the crime – ironically committed by Iago. Guilt is personified here by being given the human ability to speak. Iago points to how Bianca looks so pale and whitefaced as evidence of her guilt and dishonesty. However, it is Iago who is being dishonest.