Othello's Language

Othello's Language

1. Simple language in his military role develops into hyperbolic, poetic language

   • Initially rational
   • State of mind can never be comfortable
   • Can love coexist with duty?

2. Motif of Heaven & Hell - critiques Desdemona and then himself

   • Role of prosecutor
   • Hell = result of immorality
   • Shakespeare: don't take the role of God
   • Internalised racism

3. Desdemona & himself depicted as animals - wild and monstrous or damaging

   • Purpose: dehumanisation
   • Demotes himself
   • Internalised racism

4. Motif of legal justice - holds Desdemona to account

   • Sees himself as morally superior
   • Dehumanises her
   • Gives himself dignity & purpose

5. Natural imagery

   • Othello = more concerned with Pagan concerns than Christianity
   • Out of his hands - chaos
     • Desdemona = proof of safety

6. Eloquence spirals out of control

   • Iago's poison leads to madness
   • Eloquence = now impossible
   • Losing carefully created identity
   • Loses ability to reason & his honour