Literary Techniques in Othello

Literary Techniques in Othello

1. Animal Imagery

   • Iago says "An old black ram//Is tupping your white ewe" Act1.1
     • use of color and juxtaposition to emphasis the indignity of the situation
   • Iago says "your daughter covered with a Barbary horse" Act1.1
   • Iago says "And will as tenderly be led by the nose//as asses are" Act1.3
     • comparison of Othello to a horse to emphasis his stupidity and gulibility

2. Allusions (reference to other texts)

   • reference to the bible
     • Iago "I am not what I am" Act1.1
       • parody/reversal of God's description of himself in Exodus "I am that I am" therefore suggest Iago is opposite to God.
     • Othello "I kissed thee, ere, I killed thee." Act5.2
       • reference to Judas' kiss in the bible followed by his betrayal. Therefore Othello compares himself to the greatest betrayer in Christianity
   • classical mythology
     • Othello "Her name, that was as fresh// As Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black..."
       • reference to Roman virgin goddess Dian, to show that Othello has lost trust in Desdemona's chastity
     • Iago "By Janus, I think no" Act1.2
       • Iago refers to the roman twofaced god of time(two faced to see the future and past). ironical as Iago himself is a twofaced character

3. Black and white Imagery

   • Othello "Arise black vengeance, from the hollow hell!" Act3.3
     • association of "black" with vengeance and hell
   • Brabantio"...a maid, so tender, fair and happy...run...to the sooty bosom//Of such a thing as thou:" Act1.2
     • Disbelief that beautiful Des. could love a black man.
   • Emilia " O, the more angel she//And you the blacker devil!" Act5.2
     • association of "black with evil and devil
   • Duke "If virtue no delight beauty lack// Your son-in-law is far more fair than black"
     • "fair" connotes to good and desirable.

4. Figurative Language

   • metaphors
     • Iago says "O, beware, my lord, of jealously,// It is the green eyed monster." Act 3.3
       • foreshadowing if the monstrous deeds in store due to Othello's jealousy
     • Iago says " I must show a flag of love" Act1.1
       • "flag" suggest very elaborate and obvious
     • Iago says "When devils will the blackest sins put on//they do suggest at first with heavenly shows." Act 2.3
       • juxtaposition- "devils", "blackest sins" and "heavenly" very contrasting idea . Represents Iago's contrasting personality
     • Iago says "Trifles light as air//are to the jealous confirmations strong..." Act3.3
     • Iago says "So will I turn her virtue into pitch..." Act2.3
       • "pitch"- use of the color black to suggest something bad"
   • Similies
     • Othello "She was false as water" Act5.2
       • she was fickle and unreliable/faithful as water is
     • Iago " The food that to him now is luscious as locusts shall be to him shorts as acerbe as the coloquintida"
       • uses this simile to describe the uncertainty of Des. and O. love
     • Iago "Like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my insides"
       • Iago uses this strong simile to describe his hate towards Othello

5. Soliloqiues

   • Shakespeare uses soliloquies to allow the audience a glimpse into the mind of the characters of the play. so that we may understand their motives

6. Verse & Prose

   • Verse
     • The noble/important characters in Othello speak in poetry i.e: blank verse form as it is a formal way of speaking. it shows literacy and elegance
   • Prose
     • This is used by characters of a lower-class as it is the usual way of speaking and has no special poetic rythm

7. Dramatic Irony

   • Othello "I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter.." Act2:3
     • Othello believes Iago is trustworthy and truly loves him
   • Iago "My lord, you know I love you." Act3:3
     • Iago pretends to love Othello though in truth he plots against him
   • Othello calls Desdemona "devil" and strikes her.
     • Othello believes Desdemona cheated on him and he hates her for this.