Othello's Style of Speech
IV, 1
1. Compare Othello’s style of speech in I,3 and IV,1 with a partner. You can look at the structure, the length of sentences, the kind of address to other characters, imagery (e.g. with I, 3 ll.78f., general eloquence, … .
What does his style reveal about his state of mind?
I,3 * monologue is well-structured * long and complicated sentences * polite address tot he senate and the Duke * a lot of rhetorical devices are employed to highlight Othello‘s truthfulness and modesty, e.g. chiasmus (ll. 78f.), hendiadys (l. 80) and repetition oft he word what (l. 91) Othello is in control of his language and is able to use it systematically in order to influence his listeners. His speech reveals a high degree of eloquence. | IV,1 * unstructured utterances * short and incomplete sentences * many exclamations * pun on the word lie (l. 35f.) * repetition of the words handkerchief (ll. 37+ 43) and confession (ll. 37+39+42) * illogical connection of the verbs to confess and to hang by means of hendiadys (ll. 38f.) * dramatic irony (ll. 41-43)Othello is no longer in control of the words he utters. His statements are confused. They are characterized by a repetition of his main thoughts that are centred on Desdemonas‘s betrayal. |
Othello’s state of mind is mirrored by the language he makes use of, e.g short or even uncomplete sentences, exclamatory sentences. This shows that he is highly agitated.
He makes a pun on the word lie, which can mean both not telling the truth or havings sex with someone. Both meanings have come to be identical for Othello at that stage.
Other central ideas are also repeated, e.g. handkerchief, confession or to confess. Confessing and hanging are connected with each other. This shows that Othello is no longer thinking in a rational way: While it is possible to hang someone after that person has made a confession, it is not possible to do this the other way round.
Dramatic irony: It is not words that shake me
1. Compare Othello’s style of speech in I,3 and IV,1 with a partner. You can look at the structure, the length of sentences, the kind of address to other characters, imagery (e.g. with I, 3 ll.78f., general eloquence, … .
What does his style reveal about his state of mind?
I,3 * monologue is well-structured * long and complicated sentences * polite address tot he senate and the Duke * a lot of rhetorical devices are employed to highlight Othello‘s truthfulness and modesty, e.g. chiasmus (ll. 78f.), hendiadys (l. 80) and repetition oft he word what (l. 91) Othello is in control of his language and is able to use it systematically in order to influence his listeners. His speech reveals a high degree of eloquence. | IV,1 * unstructured utterances * short and incomplete sentences * many exclamations * pun on the word lie (l. 35f.) * repetition of the words handkerchief (ll. 37+ 43) and confession (ll. 37+39+42) * illogical connection of the verbs to confess and to hang by means of hendiadys (ll. 38f.) * dramatic irony (ll. 41-43)Othello is no longer in control of the words he utters. His statements are confused. They are characterized by a repetition of his main thoughts that are centred on Desdemonas‘s betrayal. |
Othello’s state of mind is mirrored by the language he makes use of, e.g short or even uncomplete sentences, exclamatory sentences. This shows that he is highly agitated.
He makes a pun on the word lie, which can mean both not telling the truth or havings sex with someone. Both meanings have come to be identical for Othello at that stage.
Other central ideas are also repeated, e.g. handkerchief, confession or to confess. Confessing and hanging are connected with each other. This shows that Othello is no longer thinking in a rational way: While it is possible to hang someone after that person has made a confession, it is not possible to do this the other way round.
Dramatic irony: It is not words that shake me