Diction In Othello
As time progresses, in the play Othello, the main character begins to feel the affects of being different and he starts to conform to outsiders terrible views of him. Othello’s attitude towards himself started with him being confident in himself and the thought that being a general would be enough to judge his character. Othello’s changing diction is an indication of Othello’s poorly developing attitude towards himself. As the accusations against Othello begin, he remained calm and composed. His expressed his words with certainty of who he believed himself to be. When Iago informed Othello of Brabantio’s anger, about the marriage of himself and Brabantio’s daughter, Othello responded, “Let him do his spite. My services which I have done the signiory shall out tongue his complaints” (Shakespeare 1.2.20-22), Othello smoothly replied that his ranking and the honor he held for his country as a general would be enough evidence that he was innocent and worthy of Desdemona. An additional response he had to the accusation was “My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly” (1.2.35), this quotation is Othello’s way of saying that you will not be able to find any wicked when I have done no evil in my life. Othello’s diction remains composed even after Brabantio
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himself confronted him and called Othello vile because he “abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals” (1.2.93) referencing to Desdemona, Othello knew that their relationship was legitimate and mutual and
by knowing this Othello responded “Whither will you that I go to answer this your charge” (1.2.104). Othello understood that Brabantio wanted him to go to jail but he also understood that there could be no charge. Even though Othello’s diction has not changed drastically yet he still holds an uncertainty and insecurity in himself like when he said “Rude am I in my speech” (1.3.96) but with out a flaw he executes the speech. The quotation shows that he recognizes he is an outsider, to the people of Venice, and he apologizes for that. Following the murder of Desdemona, who was the only person who believed in his kindness, he breaks out of his calm demeanor and becomes more disconnected in tone and he started to see himself how others do by using third person. “Tis a lost fear. Man but a rush against Othello’s breast, and he retires. Where should Othello go?” (5.2.320) Othello loses his sense of self, the honorable man who was a war general and defied outside judgments, now that Desdemona is dead he has no where to go. When Othello told the people he killed Desdemona he gave up the excuse of his ranking “Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely but too well; Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought Perplex’d in the extreme; of one whose hand, Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away Richer than all his tribe” and he asks that he should be remembered with all the noble things he has done for the state.
himself confronted him and called Othello vile because he “abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals” (1.2.93) referencing to Desdemona, Othello knew that their relationship was legitimate and mutual and
by knowing this Othello responded “Whither will you that I go to answer this your charge” (1.2.104). Othello understood that Brabantio wanted him to go to jail but he also understood that there could be no charge. Even though Othello’s diction has not changed drastically yet he still holds an uncertainty and insecurity in himself like when he said “Rude am I in my speech” (1.3.96) but with out a flaw he executes the speech. The quotation shows that he recognizes he is an outsider, to the people of Venice, and he apologizes for that. Following the murder of Desdemona, who was the only person who believed in his kindness, he breaks out of his calm demeanor and becomes more disconnected in tone and he started to see himself how others do by using third person. “Tis a lost fear. Man but a rush against Othello’s breast, and he retires. Where should Othello go?” (5.2.320) Othello loses his sense of self, the honorable man who was a war general and defied outside judgments, now that Desdemona is dead he has no where to go. When Othello told the people he killed Desdemona he gave up the excuse of his ranking “Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely but too well; Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought Perplex’d in the extreme; of one whose hand, Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away Richer than all his tribe” and he asks that he should be remembered with all the noble things he has done for the state.